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

[speedgraflex]

Dornier Do 17 Z

for Kari



DN 51

• Crew: 4
  Length: 15.8 m (51 ft 10 in)
  Wingspan: 18 m (59 ft 1 in)
  Height: 4.56 m (15 ft 0 in)
  Empty weight: 5,210 kg (11,486 lb)
  Empty equipped: 5,888 to 5,963 kg (12,981 to 13,146 lb)
  Max takeoff weight: 8,837 kg (19,482 lb)
  Fuel capacity: standard fuel 1,540 l (339 imp gal), with aux tank in forward bomb bay 2,435 l (536 imp gal)
  Powerplant: 2 × Bramo 323P 9-cyl. air-cooled radial piston engines with 1,000 PS (986 hp, 736 kW) for take-off
  Propellers: 3-bladed variable-pitch propellers
  Maximum speed: 350 km/h (217 mph; 189 kn) at 8,040 kg (17,725 lb) at sea level
  410 km/h (255 mph) at 8,040 kg (17,725 lb) at 5,000 m (16,404 ft)
  Cruise speed: 300 km/h (186 mph; 162 kn) at 8,837 kg (19,482 lb) at 4,000 m (13,123 ft)
  Combat range: 660 km (410 mi; 356 nmi) with 1,540 l (339 imp gal) fuel and 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) of bombs
  1,010 km (628 mi) with 2,435 l (536 imp gal) fuel and 500 kg (1,102 lb) of bombs
  Service ceiling: 8,200 m (26,900 ft)
  Wing loading: 156 kg/m2 (32 lb/sq ft)
  Power/mass: 0.170 kW/kg (0.11 hp/lb)
  Guns: 6 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 15 machine guns in front, rear upper, rear lower and cockpit side positions
  Bombs: 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) of bombs carried internally, either 20 x 50 kg (110 lb) bombs or 4 x 250 kg (551 lb) bombs

• FROG MODELS (1932-1976)
  
  Date of production: 1971
  Scale: 1/72
  Parts: 68
  Decals: PleLv 46 Finnish Air Force 1943 and I/KG3, France, September 1940
  
  
  
  
  
  
  AFTERMARKET (to date)
  
  Armory Models: AR AW72205 Do 17M/P/Z wheels with weighted tires
  
  Eduard MG 15 x 4
  
  Quckboost: Propeller with hubs, blades and alignment tool
  
  

My plan is to turn this "Frog" into a "Prince," or barring that, into a great practice run at RLM camouflage. When I joined here, I started with a Horten in 1/72, a commission build (thankfully no longer) that just fizzled out when I started to paint the basic camouflage colors. I could not as the phrase goes, "Kick its ass."

[KSaarni]

It's not in German camo, but as we are heading towards winter months, the picture is valid! :-)



- Kari

[Floki]

Never heard of Frog before, I'll be watching. Hope you also got a mask set for all that glass up front.

[Stikpusher]

Never heard of Frog before, I'll be watching. Hope you also got a mask set for all that glass up front.

Frog is an old company. Along with Heller, Airfix, and Matchbox, those were the European model companies that I remember making 1/72 stuff at the 70s Hobby Shops here. I don’t think that they are in business anymore....

Bruce, the Do-17 is a good looking aircraft. Where did you find this kit? I will enjoy watching this project!

[speedgraflex]

Good morning Floki and Carlos! Thank you for your replies. Sincerely. With only a few days left in the year, I decided I was going to pack away any work in progress and prepare a fresh start for the new year. This extends beyond modeling to cleaning, donating excess personal inventory, cleaning and organizing my apartment and car, and closing every open item of business. Not that you both need to know that. It feels good to clean.

Floki, Frog Models was a British company started by two brothers in the 1932. The name means “Flies Right Off the Ground.” They produced many 1/72 aircraft with higher standards of accuracy then the standards of the time. They never included rivets, only fine panel lines on their reproductions. They are known as the first company to release injection molded kits, having beat Hawk Models in the U.S. by a year and a half. When the company went into receivership in 1976, their molds were sold off. According to Scalemates, Revell-Kikoler purchased the molds for this kit and released it in 1977.

1977 Revell Box art



Carlos, thank you so much for your response! Your knowledge is impeccable. To answer your question, the kit is from eBay. Initially I wanted to buy the 2014 Airfix release, but I struck out on eBay, Airfix, Brookhurst, Sprue Brothers and Squadron. I think that is weird! Any suggestions?

[Stikpusher]

There is also an old 1/72 Monogram Do-17 kit out there.... probably close to the same vintage...

[speedgraflex]

Thanks so much for your information, Carlos. I put the Monogram version next on my list. I would very much like to find the most recent Airfix kit to tell ya the truth. I am mystified why the subject is no longer in their inventory after they spent so much R & D time (as well as money) developing it.

[Stikpusher]

Well, the new Airfix kit is a beauty. As to it’s scarcity, well Airfix seems to do smaller production runs nowadays. But that kit is easily the best 1/72 Flying Pencil out there now. Hopefully they will release another batch soon and you can get one...

[Medicman71]

This should be an interesting build. I always enjoy watching people do old kits and making them great!

[speedgraflex]

Thanks so much, Medic. I am excited to work on this kit and with this particular subject as well! All the best!