SPA Modeler

speedgraflex wrote:I took John’s sage advice and chopped off the resin pour blocks on both spinners.



Thank you so much, John!

That was probably a good idea, being as they’re so small and all.

And hey, Bruce, by the way. You’d asked yesterday about what to do concerning the guns. It got me thinking. It seems to me that you could probably fab something a bit more to your liking out of brass tube and plastic card, maybe? They shapes are pretty basic and in my opinion based on what you’ve done with that engine in your Tunisia project, you’re a solid wiz with that stuff. What do you think about that idea?

speedgraflex wrote:

jkim wrote:Probably won't be seeing too much of the guns through all of the frames on the clear parts. Save your money and buy the ICM kit instead!

Good advice, John, although I already ordered 2 pair of Eduard MG15s from my usual fella on eBay. With a discount for quantity and free shipping I feel good. I think of this as a painting exercise for me. Building and painting Eduard’s resin and etch guns will be good. I can always transfer all of them to a better kit. However you are quite right to advise me about ICM. I will definitely keep watch for one on Sprue Brothers.

Have a look at Eduard’s MG15:

Oh wait! Never mind! Eduard Brassin to the rescue! Holy cow those are nice! I’d go with those. I didn’t even know they were available.

speedgraflex wrote: Decals [Frog on Left. Owl on Right][/color]

Not that you are building a Finnish version, but there is an interesting story behind the the Finnish DN-60.

On the evening of August the 25th, 1942 DN-60 left on a mission, to fly in four "food-torpedoes" with provision to Finnish "remote patrols", that were located far deep behind enemy lines (similar patrols that Larry Thorn also belonged to).
Despite very low clouds in the drop zone and that the Dornier was hit twice from Soviet AA guns on during the flight, the crew succeeded to drop the torpedoes to the patrol.

The problems started only when flying back, around 11:30 PM. It started to be dark and the pilot did not really see so well where the airstrip exactly was. On top of that, a nearby river produced fog, that slowly came on the airstrip. So of course things don't go so well if you don't see anything... So when the pilot finally decided to take her down, it touched down practically where the airstrip ends! When the pilot realised this he tried to start to turn the plane to left.. It was too late to try to pull the plane back up and because the pilot was not 100% sure what was at the end of the runway he just tried to turn it. What happened.. that the right landing gear cracked from the turning force and a second later the left landing gear cracked also... the Dornier tumbled down loudly and hardly on the ground..
No one got hurt, the pilot switched off the electricity, turned off the fuel lines etc and crawled out together with his crew.

In the background the ill-fated DN-60 and in the foreground plane inspectors checking if somethine can be done.


Another picture of the plane.


Even if the Dornier was quite badly damaged, it was still possible to repair.

When Finland received these bombers from Germany, free service and repairs were included in the deal. It was Göring himself who donated 15 brand new Dornier 17:s to Finnish air force. Why did Göring give for free 15 bombers ? The story is, that Germany had promised to sell cheaply capture Soviet bombers. But the quality and amounts of those captured bombers had been very bad and low.. So, to compensate this, he did this move... Might be true, might be not.. nevertheless Finnish airforce got them. Of course, by 1942 they were not any longer modern bombers, but fitted very well for Finns.

Back to DN-60
But due to some extensive damage, the bomber could only be repaired in Germany. So, it was packed and sent to Germany.
Almost a year passed and in beginning of August 1943 the factory informed the bomber will be fixed by September month. This never happened and despite a number of calls, telegrams and letters (no mails or whatsapps then) that was the last time anyone heard anything of the Dornier. And still today (which again is not so big surprise) no one knows the destiny of DN-60.
(freely translated text and pics from the book: "Pommituslentolaivue 46" / "No. 46 Bomber Squadron" by Matti Hämäläinen)


Interesting that Frog selected that particular plane I must say...

- Kari

Kari you must continue to write about war history! Your writing is such a pleasure to read—well researched and illustrated and you have the ability to bring the past to life. This is no small feat, my friend. Your writing is so clear in English. So clear. So crystalline. So convincing! In fact, I am now watching FAF decals for the Do 17 as a result.

Anyway, I only make the suggestion, but already in what you provide to the forum I could easily see as a series of articles on areas that interest you not simply one area. Given your background there is no question that you could pull this off in relation to your builds.

I have to thank you at the very least for such an appreciated story of an aircraft—which arrived with others in what must have seemed a road to victory, its fate linked to the rise and fall of the totalarian state, and once fallen, disappeared forever.

Ken, thank you for following—actually what you wrote makes a whole lot of sense—brass barrels are still a possibility if the Eduard versions outclass the project. I don’t think the quality will look out of place. I think the quality will enhance what is really a great kit. Fingers and toes crossed.

Marius, thank you for the picture of your Spitfire!

Kari, that is an interesting tale of DN-60.
I suppose that Frog chose that aircraft as a subject based off the fact that photos exist of that aircraft. So they could base their decals and painting instructions off of such. So many times I will see a kit of whatever, in markings of whoever, that seem to have no historical significance compared to others of that same aircraft. And then, like here, photos appear. Other times, I suspect that kit markings, especially older ones, can be generic, or speculative.

Carlos, you are the other writer here who needs to start on the history of Monogram models, including information on why profiles were chosen.... a very interesting discussion in general! It is time to write companies today for an explanation. Perhaps a company will respond!

I imagine those spinners are quite small at 1/72! Are you still using the brass tubing as mounts? Might be a bit springy, especially when it comes to airbrush time. I can't imagine trying to paint those guns at 1/72! One of the reasons I've moved to 1/32 is my eyes aren't good with the smaller 1/48 stuff.

speedgraflex wrote:Carlos, you are the other writer here who needs to start on the history of Monogram models, including information on why profiles were chosen.... a very interesting discussion in general! It is time to write companies today for an explanation. Perhaps a company will respond!

Perhaps after I retire next year and have more time on my hands. Of course I do intend to do far more of this Hobby once I am settled in...

One thing that I have noticed about Revells choices in more recent releases. Many of their USAF subjects are on display, either at the USAFM at Wright Patterson, or at Lackland AFB. The B-26 where I had a photo taken with my son when he graduated basic in May 2016 was is one of the markings options for that kit released by Revell a few years before- “Versatile Lady”

Thanks for your response, John. I value your advice, comments and thoughts. The brass rod is simply for painting. I will probably glue the resin hubs to styrene posts because weight is not even a factor at this scale. If I use the existing kit engine fronts I will add a simple representation of the bracing on the interior. This is a sample from a Monogram kit:



I was holding off on a cockpit interior design until I saw the kit’s clear plastic. This is quite thick so instead of focusing as much on a cockpit scratchbuild, I decided to work on the guns. Between the new propellers, front tires and guns I believe the essential visual motifs are developed and the kit will be enhanced. I do want to separate the pilot’s chair on its own deck with the observer and radio operator/gunner’s chairs each separate on the fuselage wall opposite the pilot, and adding as many of the interior components as feasible might be nice, too.

Carlos, that is a very interesting point regarding profiles....

Interesting... the engine braces are in the front? That should preclude the view into the engines so you won't have to worry so much about wiring and all that.

I had painting in my mind when I made the brass tube comment. The brass tube I have is pretty flexible and I just had this humorous picture in my head of those spinners bobbing around like mad as you tried to spray them.