1/18 Ho-229 Project Build ( Retired ) !!

[DropTank]

Guys who submit those articles are well rounded master modelers. My skills are limited ( if I can say I have any ) I love the build portion of modeling .That is what I would say my skills are limited in. My finishing skills are getting better.

Don't discount your talent pickelhaube. Your projects, along with your approach to them, are a sincere pleasure to follow along with. Your passion for your projects have earned you my total respect and title of master modelor in my book. As long as it's fun for you, just keep building and posting them "buckaroo".

[gburch]

... but then we have the problem of how our dear Pickel, who is already stretched thin, could deal with the increased clamor for his masterpieces ....

[flyboy_fx]

THen he could stop doing other work a nd make a "pimpin" bidness out of selling models!!! WHoop Whoop! \o/

[pickelhaube]

Hey Guys ,

I have the main gear bay done. Not really worth showing pics. I added a little more detail up in there and just need to shoot a coat of primer.

I have also worked on the front gear doors and have them about 75 % worked out.

Making the gear bay doors is one thing. Making them stay in place is another.

Jeez what a pain.

I have made friction clips for the gear to stay in place. I have them in and shook it hard and nothing dropped out. Good enough .

I need to finish the front gear doors and do a little more work in the cockpit then it is time to finish and tweak everything out.

I ordered some mini tooth pick like sanding sticks from Micro - Mark to help me do this. The post man did not drop the package off so I have to go to the post off to get it.

I went down today and they are closed . Columbus Day Just what the Govt needs in these times of need . A DAY OFF .

I feel that I need about 3 more FULL days and I will be ready to start the mould making process.

It is getting close guys

[normandy]

Pickel, that's great to hear.
Another step closer to production and I still haven't picked a paint scheme.
I'll see after I've built the kits.

I like this pic and the pattern ...

...thought I'd resurrect this pic for the 13,510 viewing of Pickels 229 post.

[YT]

Pi

Awesome pic!

[gburch]

PH -- Take your time! Creating this masterpiece has been a long odyssey, and we've been lucky to go along for the ride!

Speaking of the ride for us voyeurs, I don't know if you've got some secret techniques in the mold-making stages, but if you're willing to give us some insight into how you do that (especially on something so big), I know I'll be fascinated to see how it's done. I'm especially interested in how you protect the master from damage in the process, and how you manage to pick up all the fine details in the molds. Being completely ignorant in this area, I can't imagine how you don't destroy or fail to capture all your hard work in making the molds . . .

[Jnewboy]

Please make a night fighter! Please?

[pickelhaube]

Please make a night fighter! Please?

Well let me get done with the day fighter first.

With the way things are going I am almost up to the pace with my regular job that is almost equal to the way it was before the storm.

Before the storm I just dabbled with making XD I was not interested in mass producing it. That is why the Hun has the Jagdpanther. We made it together and I gave him the project. Things changed after the 2 year rush directly after the storm. The bottom just dropped out of the industry.

To get back on the Horten . There was an artists rendition of the night fighter that Dragon used to make their rendition.

I think that this is purely fantasy. They did not have time to finish the prototype how would they have time to make a whole new airframe ?

Dragons 1/48 scale Horten is the V-3 which was their prototype. My rendition is the V-5 which was supposed to be the first in the production run.

The main difference between the two is the front landing gear cover. The V-3 cover was mounted on the strut and the V-5 was a clam shell.

There was also an engine swap.

The bigger tire was to get the CG ( center of gravity ) weight right and to increase the angle of attack. The strut was short so rather than remake the strut they used a bigger tire that solved both issues. Plus time was running out and every chance there was to make a short cut they used it. Like using the Me-109 tires for the main gear.

I am sure that after production had commenced that they would have used a smaller tire with longer strut just like the P-38 and the Me-262.

If they would have done that by having the front wheel smaller it would have been a lot easier to add another seat for the radar man.

So I would guess that the " real " Ho-229 would have a smaller wheel with longer strut. Extended cockpit just like the tandem seat Me-262 night fighter and have an antenna array on the nose.

IF THE HO-229 IS A SUCCESS I WLL DO THE NIGHTFIGHTRER JUST HOW I DESCRIBED IT .

I think it would be a bit cooler with the smaller wheel up front.

A lot less cartoonish.

Any feed back on making the night fighter this way when/if I make it ?

THAT IS WHEN OR IF .

[Jnewboy]

I think that sounds awesome! I know its fantasy land, but the good thing about that is it gives you alot of lee-way in your design. Im fine with just the radar mast and a modded cockpit/canopy but if you want to change the tire thats cool

[normandy]

Since we're dealing in the realm of what if / fantasy, why not a single seat 229 night fighter with a pilot who can multitask or a very advanced radar system.
I like the look of the radar antennas on 21st's Me - 262 and may do something like that on Pickel's kit, keeping it a single seater.

This might look better......

[pickelhaube]

Since we're dealing in the realm of what if / fantasy, why not a single seat 229 night fighter with a pilot who can multitask or a very advanced radar system.
I like the look of the radar antennas on 21st's Me - 262 and may do something like that on Pickel's kit, keeping it a single seater.

This might look better......

That last pic is the fantasy night fighter.

Look how they covered the engine nacelles making it look chunkier.

As I stated before let us see how the day fighter goes before I start the night fighter.

The build is done !!!! All I have left is to tweak it out before I break everything down.

I am running out of daylight so I will not be able to take any pics. Tomorrow I will make some " in flight " pics.

Then I will tear it down to prep for moulding.

These will probably be the last pics of the model built up.

I will be getting real close to asking for you guy's next installments. I will be getting the RTV lined up to start making the moulds.

Price could be the same as I estimated. What I could do is keep it the same

$300 Kit

$400 for the full build.

When I am ready I will ask for the FULL payment ( a few of you guys have paid in full already) as a forum deal.

I will probably run the $300/ $400 deal for a week then the price will be about $50 more for each after the forum exclusive sale.

To get in on this sale you must pay in full by the due date to get your $300/ $400 sale.

Standby for pics on Wednesday.

[Jnewboy]

Have you decided on a paint scheme for your full build?

[normandy]

Pickel, can't wait to see these "in flight" pics..... ....is that next Wednesday your talking about re: the pics?
This kit is going to be great!

[pickelhaube]

Pickel, can't wait to see these "in flight" pics..... ....is that next Wednesday your talking about re: the pics?
This kit is going to be great!

No tomorrow.

The S-1 paint scheme will be the Luft basic splinter camo w/ sky on the bottom.

When the sale is ready to submit please do not forget shipping.

The average shipping should be around $12 .



Can anybody find a pic of the Roswell flying saucer in Independence Day ?

I think that one looks like the Horten if I am not mistaken.

[YT]

I am very excited to see the pictures and even more excited that you were able to come in at your original pricing estimate great news all around!

[YT]

Can anybody find a pic of the Roswell flying saucer in Independence Day ?

I think that one looks like the Horten if I am not mistaken.

[/quote]

[pickelhaube]

Can anybody find a pic of the Roswell flying saucer in Independence Day ?

I think that one looks like the Horten if I am not mistaken.

[/quote]


Yikes !!

What was I thinking ?

Not even close.

[gouchy]

That'd be the spinoff - Dogfights ID:HvsH - Independence Day: Horten vs Hornet


On a more serious note, It is so depressing for me to not be able to get this PH masterpiece.

PH, If you have some spare time to squeeze into this, I wonder if the you and the guys getting this would be open to the idea of an official PH cert to go with the Horten? You know a little like the bbi mustang Hurry Home Honey, just a thought...

[pickelhaube]

That'd be the spinoff - Dogfights ID:HvsH - Independence Day: Horten vs Hornet


On a more serious note, It is so depressing for me to not be able to get this PH masterpiece.

PH, If you have some spare time to squeeze into this, I wonder if the you and the guys getting this would be open to the idea of an official PH cert to go with the Horten? You know a little like the bbi mustang Hurry Home Honey, just a thought...

I will do this for the full builds.

I also intend to put Full build No. 1 on ebay and see how that goes.

Hopefully it will go for more than the base price .

[pickelhaube]

A few guys have asked me about the brass rods sticking out of the struts. Those were made longer for ease of moulding. They are too long and need to be cut off by the modeler.

It is a lot easier to put a longer rod in a mould than a teenie tiny one.



I am not sure on the plans for the kit. The main gear linkages are a bit complex.

Maybe I can take pics of how to assemble them ?

I could post the instructions on the custom post . Or here.

Thoughts ?

[pickelhaube]

Here ya go.

Last pics before the break down to refine and make mould ready.









More to fallow.

[Jnewboy]

[Airacobra]

Absolutely gorgeous. I wish I had the cash for this. Fantastic work.

[aae83]

Stunning.