SPA Modeler

Doing some little things. I've already done the DF loop antenna so I thought I'd take of three other small bits...


Thinned the FuG antenna a little bit.


Cut the end off.


Drilled a small accepting hole into the end of the antenna base.


Superglued a piece of wire to replace the thick plastic that was removed.


Similar deal with the pitot tube.


I replaced the end with a section of thin brass tubing.


For the IFF antenna, I drilled the accepting hole in the bottom and used the existing antenna as a convenient grip. A small piece of stretch sprue was used this time.


After the replaced piece of sprue was attached, I cut off the unneeded end.


Here's how the IFF antenna fits into the fuselage bottom.


I'm being held up by this seam. It's taken multiple attempts to get this area cleaned up with a good pane line. If this attempt doesn't work, I will consider filling it and using a pen. Who says you can't teach old dog new tricks?

jkim wrote:

One day.....................I hope to be able to build aircraft that good looking.

mustang1989 wrote:One day.....................I hope to be able to build aircraft that good looking.

John, regarding stance, I wanted to respond right after your reply! Apologies. I wrote a response in my head, then neglected to send it. Re stance I meant the front landing gear cover, parallel to the ground, but after reviewing what you wrote I found that to be very helpful! Thank you for your advice! I agree with Joe, I hope to build a Dora like that some day!

more good ideas

Hello Spammers! A few more Dora tidbits to report. THAT pesky seam took most of my attention. It was a tedious matter of applying tiny bits of filler, waiting for it to cure, sanding and repeating. In the between times, I got a few more things done. The armored head rest has been painted.


I started on painting the main wheels. I've started on the metal wheel covers first, giving them a base coat of black.


After some weathering (brown wash and some pigment work. The tires have not yet been painted and weathered.



Here is the seam work to date. We'll give it a shot with primer to see where we stand.


Finally getting there.


Here is the other side. I think I'm ready to move on!

Open's the thread...

Reads the update...

Jaw hits the floor...

Superb work so far on all aspects of the build (and I agree, that Dora looks brillaint). this is just another good example of how high I hold my fellow Spammers work - superb all.

mustang1989 wrote:

jkim wrote:

One day.....................I hope to be able to build aircraft that good looking.

You're no slouch yourself young sir - the Dora you build for the Luftwaffe GB a few years back was fantastic.

Thanks kindly for checking in! Tiny update for you. I painted the tires. A mix of dark grey, black and a touch of brown. The wear surfaces were sprayed with a lighter grey and then some earthy tones. Finished the tires off with some dry pigments.

Now those look like some properly operational tires. Not pristine, but not off a derelict airframe either.