Focke-Wulf TL Jager 'Flitzer'

[cph64]

Various German design teams looked at ways of getting aircraft into the air quicker and one of the methods proposed was to fit a rocket motor along with the jet one. Focke-Wulf created a series of designs and Revell have modelled the fifth of their 'Flitzer' ones which actually progressed to the wooden mock-up stage. The kit consists of two sprues of grey plastic, a one piece clear canopy and decal options for two markings. To go with this I'd bought the Airwaves etched brass detail set.

[MSea]

Different       

[chriswil42]

Different       

Definitely.

[cph64]

Back on 'safe' ground!!

[Bigkev]

Another 1946 'What if' from the Hansell Flugwerks. Will watch with interest, how you interpret this one and in the scheme it will appear in.
 

[cph64]

The cockpit has been detailed with the etch brass, which leaves just enough room to squeeze the seat in. I'd placed the instrument panel in what appeared to be the middle of one half of the fuselage, after painting, but when joining the two fuselage halves together it was sat to one side so the gap has been filled. The wings went together with only a slight amount of work needed and were then joined to the fuselage with any gaps filled with PPP. The instructions say build the booms and tail unit first before joining to the fuselage which I did using two boxes as a jig to try and keep everything square. Once set these were then added to the fuselage and left to fully set as the joints were loose, again PPP was used to fill any gaps. An online article mentions the rather shallow panel lines of the kit so these were treated to a pass or two with my Tamiya engraving tool before the grey primer was applied. This shows where further work is required on seams etc.

[cph64]

I started painting on the wings, firstly with RLM 84 (Sky Type S), which is a greener version of RLM 76 followed by a home made mix of brown then RLM 83 Dunklgrun. Each time masking between coats. The wings and tailplane were then masked completely with masking putty used to get the scalloping on the wing leading edge. RLM 78 Hellblau was then applied to all the undersurfaces and the fuselage. Once dry RLM 74 Grauviolett was sprayed freehand on the fuselage upper surface, sides and those of the tail booms giving the mottled effect I wanted in places. Once all the masking was removed it was clear that there was no definition on the wing leading edges. A further coat of RLM 78 still didn't make the scalloping stand out so RLM 65 Lichtblau was brush painted to give the contrast. For whatever reason certain areas of the RLM 78 had to be removed and repainted as it pooled and ran as if there was another medium on the primer.

[zak]

Always something, never straight forward is it.

[MSea]

Thats life       

[chriswil42]

Looks snazzy!

[cph64]

Varnished and decalled using the kit ones which had large carrier films so had to be trimmed. Most went on ok but the wing walkway markings had to be cut to get them on easier. Decals from spares were the Hakenkreuz on the tail, the unit insignia for III/JG1 and the individual number. The etch seat was then squeezed into place and had to be trimmed to get the canopy to fit. The etch armoured head rest and whell bay doors were fitted followed by all the other little breakable bits. After masking the canopy satin varnish was applied. I originally wasnted to try and cut the canopy so I could use the etch boarding ladder but even after using Dymo tape I bottled it as the framing was so narrow.

[chriswil42]

Very nice Chris.

[Bigkev]

That looks very nice Chris, very '46ish'
I know what you mean about the canopy, it can make or ruin a model. You took the safer option.