Dornier DO 217 K-1 ragove Revell 1/72

[Papa]

I purchased this kit a few years back on sale due to a damaged box. No damage to the parts, just the box.  I don’t remember how much it was discounted but since I still have my frugal New England ways, I assume it was substantial.  I hope this kit goes together better than the now defunct ME 109. The kit looks to be nicely molded, with 2 colored sprues and one clear.  The instructions have a history of the Dornier that I have not read yet. I was anxious to get started and so I assembled and painted one of the crew. He sits facing backwards so I guess he may be a navigator or something like that. It was step 1, parts 1,2,3,4.

[Old Collingwood]

Thats a nice Spitfire target there, fingers crossed it goes together better  for you.

 

OC.

[Canute]

RA, I suspect that could be the gunner/radio operator, checking for Mossie  or Beaufighter night-fighters sneaking up on them. The navigator would be riding sideways, staring at his maps, or looking out the front. I don't know if the Germans used a co-pilot. The entire 4 man crew was up there in the nose of the bomber.

[Papa]

1 minute ago, Canute said:

RA, I suspect that could be the gunner/radio operator, checking for Mossie  or Beaufighter night-fighters sneaking up on them. The navigator would be riding sideways, staring at his maps, or looking out the front. I don't know if the Germans used a co-pilot. The entire 4 man crew was up there in the nose of the bomber.

I guess it will become clearer as I proceed. I noticed there are only 2 crew figures. Perhaps the rest of the crew had too many steins of beer the night before. 

[Canute]

Oh, I can't believe they'd be imbibing too much.  We worked with a 12 hour bottle to throttle rule, when I was actively flying. Guess your other two are hiding in the cockpit somewhere.

 

Their camouflage schemes are so interesting. Will you try the boxtop scheme?

[Roger Pellett]

I have read that Dornier produced a Diesel powered bomber that was apparently satisfactory.  Diesels are not usually associated with avaiation.  Is this the plane?

 

Roger

[Egilman]

2 hours ago, Roger Pellett said:

I have read that Dornier produced a Diesel powered bomber that was apparently satisfactory.  Diesels are not usually associated with avaiation.  Is this the plane?

 

Roger

No that was the Dornier Do 18 A diesel powered flying boat.... 

[Canute]

No, the K model here used BMW radials. The German bombers tried a number of permutations of their air-frames, differing mostly with the engines installed. Studying them is a trip down a rabbit hole.

[Papa]

 

“Their camouflage schemes are so interesting. Will you try the boxtop scheme?”

 

I think I might. The squiggling lines look freehand 

[popeye the sailor]

this should prove to be a better kit for you      

[Papa]

Turns out that the rear facing crew member has his head in a gun turret. He is in place along with the pilot and the minimal cockpit details 

[popeye the sailor]

off to a good start!   

[Papa]

Very unusual nose on this beast. 

[Javlin]

RA I hand painted two of the planes canopies I am finishing now the Hurri and the 205 use a toothpick around the frames to get straight lines.

[Papa]

I have also used toothpicks for some small details, but I didn’t try them for the canopy. Maybe I should try them here.  I need to clean the limes up a bit. I’ve never been able to mask a cockpit canopy successfully. 

[Egilman]

9 hours ago, ragove said:

I’ve never been able to mask a cockpit canopy successfully.

1/72nd scale aircraft is one place that aftermarket canopy masks are a real aid to the modeler. Especially the ones with greenhouse canopies.... A toothpick as a fine line paint applicator is a good technique but I would thin the paint to the consistency used for a airbrush and make sure you keep the tip of the toothpick wet.... it's like using a nib pen and inkwell...

 

Nice work btw, 

[Javlin]

11 hours ago, ragove said:

I have also used toothpicks for some small details, but I didn’t try them for the canopy. Maybe I should try them here.  I need to clean the limes up a bit. I’ve never been able to mask a cockpit canopy successfully. 

Yeah hand paint then use the toothpich around the frame to cleanup the paint outside of the lines scraping to say the wood is softer than the plastic so no damage to the canopy.I usually give the paint about 30-60 minutes of dry time and while the paint is still soft and start scraping or get mask.

[Papa]

Your comment is right on;  yesterday I spent some time cleaning up the paint with a toothpick.  The canopy is looking much better. 

[Canute]

Coming along nicely.

 

You need a 10/0 brush (I think that's the size), like OC has used. Two bristles. And use under lots of light and magnification. I need frequent breaks, due to concentrating so hard to paint something so fine.

[Papa]

36 minutes ago, Canute said:

You need a 10/0 brush

I could also use new eyes and a steadier hand. 😁

[mtaylor]

8 hours ago, Canute said:

Coming along nicely.

 

You need a 10/0 brush (I think that's the size), like OC has used. Two bristles. And use under lots of light and magnification. I need frequent breaks, due to concentrating so hard to paint something so fine.

Two bristles?  I vaguely remember seeing brushes with only one.   Maybe they don't make those anymore as it's been along time since I was really into plastic.

[Canute]

Yeah, for painting fine lines like canopy glass separators in 1/72 scale, 1 would do.

[Old Collingwood]

2 hours ago, mtaylor said:

Two bristles?  I vaguely remember seeing brushes with only one.   Maybe they don't make those anymore as it's been along time since I was really into plastic.

My thinnest  brush is a  10/0  (Its really tiny)

 

OC.

[Canute]

That's what I said in post #19. get out the single strand version, too.

[Old Collingwood]

14 minutes ago, Canute said:

That's what I said in post #19. get out the single strand version, too.

Indeed Ken, I read you mate.😉

 

OC.

[Egilman]

4 hours ago, mtaylor said:

Maybe they don't make those anymore as it's been along time since I was really into plastic.

 

Trot on down to any decent craft store, they will be happy to sell you dozens of them.... (chuckle)

 

Oh yes, they still make 5/0 & 10/0 fine liners.... (and they usually have more than one or two hairs, although it is hard to see them)

[Papa]

I’ve cleaned up the canopy and added the tail assembly.   So far I am pleased with this kit. 

[Old Collingwood]

Looking fine  - that glazing looks great.

 

OC.

[Papa]

13 hours ago, Old Collingwood said:

that glazing looks great.

Thanks. A lot of careful, patient picking with a tooth pick😁

[popeye the sailor]

canopy looks good    I use artist's brushes that are pointed.....like they are molded or something.   I find it's all in how much pressure that's put on the tip of the brush.........keep it from fanning out.   I need to get a few more........they tend not to keep the pointiness for very long