Frog 1/72 Dornier Do 17 Z, DN 51, 2/LeLv 46, Noljakka, 1942.

[speedgraflex]

Kari, Good! Have a pleasant evening! It was fun finding that piece about the “interior.”

[Stikpusher]

So, just a educated guess on my part, theoretically, it is possible that these aircraft were overhauled prior to transfer to the Finnish Air Force. If so, and based off that linked Hyperscale discussion, that could mean a repaint of the cockpit into then current standards of RLM-66. Just a thought...

[speedgraflex]

Thanks, Carlos! That is a very likely scenario. I am gonna offer up this profile and history which indicates how quickly the Finnish Air Force placed their Do 17s in service after receiving aircraft from Germany. Apologies for the low resolution. Also: good evening! And keep your powder dry!



When I came home I decided to air brush a little in the brief respite from the rain. It was a bit messy and there were still droplets of rain falling down. Here we go—the side closest to the camera is what I primed with a thimbleful of Mr. Surfacer 1500 I still have to fill the gaps on the other side, maybe tonight, maybe.... maybe not. I would like to keep going, use the momentum!

[speedgraflex]

Post Milliput Fill





Frog is not a Dog.

[KSaarni]

So, just a educated guess on my part, theoretically, it is possible that these aircraft were overhauled prior to transfer to the Finnish Air Force. If so, and based off that linked Hyperscale discussion, that could mean a repaint of the cockpit into then current standards of RLM-66. Just a thought...

(Freely translated from the book "Bomber Squadron 46" by Matti Hämäläinen)
All these Dorniers ( 15 in total) came from Poland, where they had served on the Eastern front. They were all used machines. As a matter of fact, more or a less the same time as Finland received them, Germany removed their Do-17;s from front line service, as obsolite, too old equipment... :-)
A classic example how "modern" differs from country to country.. In Finland these birds were seen as very modern bombers.. well, compared with Bristol Blenheims for example, they were modern.

Because they were flown directly from the front, before they could be put into service, they had to go through a 25 hrs service. Besides this service, some other maintenance work was required. For example the oil-cooling system was slightly reconstructed among other smaller improvments. Most of the info-texts in the instrument panels were re-written/translated to Finnish, same with stencils etc. And then of course paintwork. The main camouflage was not re-painted, just painting over the German insignias and adding the Finnish insignias.
But I still wonder, as I cannot see in any pictures (even slightly), any remains of the German balkenkreuz.. Could it be the service men sanded a "slightly" them first ?

All this ( and a little bit more) took close to a month to carry out, so when the planes arrived in beginning of January, they entered service in beginning of February.

(foot note: they bison that is used as the "logo" for the bomber squadron 46 is actually copied from a Polish vodka brand "Zubrowka", who had this animal in their label.. still have, but the looks have changed since 80 years back)

- Kari

[Floki]

Great info Kari, I'm learning so much about the DO 17 that I want to run out and buy a kit.

[KSaarni]

Great info Kari, I'm learning so much about the DO 17 that I want to run out and buy a kit.

Thanks Clint! I am also having the very same thoughts... But I would want to build a modern kit... I am "playing around" currently with Hobby Crafts 1:48 Do-17Z, but it is very "depressing" to put together... bad instructions in combination with non-existing marks on the parts, makes it very frustrating to build. I think by just glueing randomly the pieces instead of reading the "instructions" would be a better idea!

And on top of that, just leaned that there is fault in the shape of the fuselage, it has the so called "Banana fuselage"

So, nope, a build that will not be finished...
But ICM does Do-17Z, both in 1/72 and 1/48, and theylook really really good!
Also many different version available of the Do-17...

- Kari

[Floki]

So, nope, a build that will not be finished...
But ICM does Do-17Z, both in 1/72 and 1/48, and theylook really really good!
Also many different version available of the Do-17...

- Kari

Have never built a ICM kit but I'm gonna go do some research on them kits right now. Thank you.

[KennyX]

Those Milliput fills look lovely. I’m going to buy some of that stuff to use, as I’m not really digging working with the Tamiya nor Mr. Hobby putty these days.

Also, I like seeing this bird come together. I’m glad you were able to get some priming done. That gray Mr. Surfacer you laid down looks very good. Silky, smooth, and perfect. And with the new choice in subject, this promises to be a lovely finished product when complete.

[speedgraflex]

Kari, Your information is greatly appreciated and will answer many questions. I still have noted in my build log about the photo which was flopped, and the technical details of the camouflage for all planes in the unit should be published! It must be. So this build is its source for the moment. As far as I know, in English this has become the “FAF DORNIER DO 17 2/LeLv 46 THREAD,” as it contains much more detail—hence the expanded length—and rewards the historians as well as the builders... not to “pump things up,” but... your added details make me wanna build the kit to a higher standard. Hence the late addition of a photo etch cockpit to this project. I also keep running searches on any kits specifically designed or modified for the Finnish Air Force. The Special Hobby 1/32 Fiat G.50II appeals because it looks like the best marriage of subject with a well made short run kit. There is also the same subject in 1/48 done by Pacific Coast Models which is based on the Secter kit from Japan. If I was building that one, I would be tempted to start with the Sector kit itself as it is cheaper... although decals or masks would have to be made.





Moving back on topic with one swoop of the return key to the Dornier Do 17, as far as 1/32 kits there appear to be none. I even poked around the shadowy corners of model aircraft building online looking for vac form models... let me know if that statement is correct. In 1/48, Airfix and ICM both make great kits! Like you, I give the nod to ICM as they actually make a FAF Dornier Do 17... and they also cover multiple versions. ICM also “Does the Do” in 1/72. I wish I had known! Their 1/72 Z-2 variant would be wonderful. Ah, well. Oh, last but not least Revell of Germany makes a Nightfighter in 1/72. I almost hit the buy button!

Of the “Swingin’ Sixties Kits,” I believe your review and build up of the Monogram kit puts that one in first place, followed closely by Frog with better wing proportions but far less detail, then Lindberg and anything else made or rebranded during that time.

I do not know much about the Matchbox version as I really know nothing about Matchbox kits. Our Bolleken and Portman build those kits. Have you?

Clint—Go for it! Please! Your skill, this subject are a great match!!!!