Hirth Lastentrager

[cph64]

THe AZ Bf109's legs look a little wide to me but they're in the locating holes provided and reference photos show some that appear that wide so I'll live with it. The tailplanes went on at a slight upward tilt for some reason and wouldn't correct easily so I left as is. The canopy was masked using bare metal foil and it's the first time I've used this and will do again. Camouflage is based on a Bf109 F-4 from 6/JG5 flown by Rudolf Muller and consists of Xtracrylic RLM 76 Lichtblau, as are both a/c, with upper surfaces RLM 70 Scwarzgrun, RLM 74 Graugrun and RLM 75 Grauviolett. Decals are a mix of kit and stock with the Kora decals being on a continuous backing sheets which caused a few problems if not trimmed enough.
The Airfix Bf109 was masked using Tamiya tape and Maskol with upper camouflage based on a F-4 Trop from 9/JG3 flown by Ofw. von Borenski. with RLM 70 and 75 as above but with a brighter blue RLM 78 Himmelblau. As this is a 'What-if' I used Vallejo Deep Sky Blue as a near enough match. Some sources give this colour as RLM 79 Sandgelb which is a possibility as these aircraft were initially due to be sent to North Africa. Decals again from kit and stock. Spinners and propellers on both a/c are RLM 70. Once the main painting was done all the small parts were fitted.
The Lastentrager resin was tidied up and weight put in the nose before joining the fuselage halves. The upper pylon had to be adjusted to take the Airfix Bf 109. The wings are a once piece moulding and went on well as did all the tail parts with minimal filler used all around. The axle between the main undercarriage is supposed to be a resin piece but as this was missing brass rod was used instead. When it came to fitting the wheels I wished I'd drilled through the legs and extended the rod to take the wheels. Instead I cut an old glue nozzle and pinned them. I managed to break the nose wheel in a couple of places but recovered that! Painted over RLM 65 Hellblau overall with sqiggles using Tracy's grey and brown acrylic pens. She also has a green which was too bright once applied so I went over it with RLM 70. AK Interactives acrylic pens are now on my 'must get' list. Decals are from stock. A cross section drawing shows two SC500 bombs internally but with the undercarriage fitted the axles would be in the way of loading, perhaps thaay went in through the nose? The u/c must drop off after take-off as it's not shown in the flying drawing on the box top. Without the Bf 109 it reminds me of a modern day drone.
All parts are on hold a I ran out of Satin varnish!!!!!

[chriswil42]

You assembled these pretty quick Chris.  Looking good.

[Bigkev]

Certainly a colourful and strange looking machine.

You certainly keep us guessing with what's next from the Hansell Aerowerks

[cph64]

Spoiler alert Kev, there should be a Rheinbote, sometimes called the V4, on the production line anytime soon. A few other things to get out the of the way first though.