FM 1/72 Me 410A-1, IIZG26, Gelbe Sieben, Werl, Germany 1943.

[speedgraflex]

Mea culpa! I updated my grievous omission by putting your name in bold, Clint. (See page 1.) I actually had to receive permission from NASM to use that photo, which I did by phone. As far as I know, this Me 410 was seized intact by troops in Sicily and shipped to Wright AFB for evaluation. After that, the USAF released it to the NASM. When did the Ark get pinched? 1935-6? Reference also: “Captured Eagles: Secrets of the Luftwaffe,” Frederick A. Johnsen, Osprey Publishing, 2014.

[Floki]

Lol no need for it Bruce just pulling your leg here. When I get home I am going to do some research on this 410 wonder why its not on display if it's intact.
According to Indiana Jones the ark was put into storage in 1936.

[tempestjohnny]

Bruce that FM 410 is an awesome kit. Built one 20+ years ago OOB and was rewarded with 2 trophies in the only competition I've ever entered. I currently have 6 more in the stash, all different versions.

[Stuart]

Loving the new project Bruce.

I've always liked the 410. Not a huge success as an aircraft, as it was only marginally better than the aircraft it was meant to replace - but a great looking aircraft non the less. I always loved the box art of the matchbox kit but it's one I've never built.

Reading future instalments with interest.

[LyleW]

Nice! I havenT seen many of these.

[jkim]

OOOh.... another iron in the fire! Don't feel shy about starting any new project. This is a hobby and we do what we want to do! I really wanted to share the King Tiger kit even though I knew I was nowhere near ready to start on it. Still not ready for that one.

Fine Molds? Heard many good things about their kits but have not built one so I'm interested to see it in closer detail. The Hornisse is an interesting aircraft as well, especially with that heavy cannon extending out from under its short nose. It looks like there are a couple of surviving examples in museums so you should have some reference photos available...



https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/ind ... se-hornet/

[speedgraflex]

Good morning and thank you, Tempest Johnny, Stuart, Lyle and John! Great comments, gents—and thank you for your encouragement as well. The kit was first produced in 1996. The copyright on this version is 2006. This was definitely an opened, but not started kit. The sprues were still bagged. The molding is very fine as the brand suggests. Apparently these sprues were made by Fine Molds in Hasegawa’s factory. However, I found a lot of flash present. Here is a challenging comparison between FM’s 1/72 propeller and Meng’s 1/48 version:

[Stikpusher]

I have the 1/48 Pro Modeler Me-410 in my stash, but have not looked at it in ages. I do remember that it looked to be a sharp kit.

[Stuart]

That'd be cool to see - I suspect quite a large model in 1/48?

[speedgraflex]

Hi Carlos! Like you I definitely have seen outstanding projects made from the DNA of ProModeller kitsets. Like us all. Especially in 1/48. This FM ended up in an Eduard’s box in the Nineties. The kit history indicates it was well regarded for its time—and I am grateful for what Tempest Johnny wrote about building one as well. The mold flash does not really bother me. I don’t get worked up about things like that. I merely note that in passing. Having dealt with a lot of stored styrene this feels like fairly hard polished Hasegawa plastic that’s been exposed to the elements for over ten years. The box has the odor of mothballs wafting from it. The plastic needed to be prepped by cleaning. When I needed chrome polish I also was sent some plastic cleaner and polishing samples. I am experimenting with those. I took the engine nacelles (forgive the Trekkie if this is not proper for an aircraft) and am using a plastic cleaner to rebuild the matte finish from sanding. I am curious if this is going to give the paint a better surface or a worse one. Typically I would take the hardened shiny surface down a notch.