Me-410 Hornet, 1/48 Pro-Modeler
This is an older build, that is totally out of the box. I know the flaws of the kit but all that aside I remember it as a generally satisfactory build and there is no mistaking what it is. The fit was generally good, and overall went together well. The cockpit was the most fun, and out of the box in true Monogram fashion looks pretty good painted and assembled. The remarkable thing is the heavy interior greenhouse framing was molded in so you end up masking the interior as well as the exterior. In general I am pretty happy with how it turned out, although know where I can improve. I have another in my stash so I may get that opportunity at some point.
7 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 20, 2020
Excellent result, Walt. OOB looks perfect, definitely like a 410.
Congratulations!
Andreas Fey said on May 20, 2020
Great build and paintjob, I like your Hornet!
John vd Biggelaar said on May 20, 2020
Very nice build. I also do like the base a lot.
What did you use for the wooden strips?
Walt B said on May 20, 2020
Thanks @JohnB, the strips of wood are simply Balsa Wood cut to similar but not the same lengths, stained with a dilute mixture of Tempera Paints. I varied the amount and and dilution to get a variety in the color and tone. It works out pretty nice and is relatively easy to make. I have a couple variations of the same thing, that I use for my German birds. A friend who is an extremely talented model builder told me years back, NEVER put a model on a table without a base. So I have a box of them, generic for different size and types, and some specific ones for part of a vignette kind of display.
John vd Biggelaar said on May 20, 2020
Thanks for the explanation Walt @luftwaffe-birdman, nice approach. I should definitely work on a base myself.
Tom Bebout said on May 20, 2020
Nicely done Walt, built one several years ago and like you thought it was a pretty good kit. My only issue was fitting that split canopy. Yours turned out quite well.
Walt B said on May 20, 2020
Thanks @tom-bebout, the canopy was a challenge, I had most issues with the area in the rear around those gun sights. I really liked it though because you got the internal framing of the cockpit that you rarely get in kits. It makes for a better looking cockpit when all built up.
Stéphane Bredel said on May 20, 2020
A real little wonder. Bravo Walt!
Greg Kittinger said on May 20, 2020
Excellent! Love the paint work - especially the subtlety of the mottling.
Walt B said on May 20, 2020
Thanks @gkittinger, the paint schemes and looks of German aircraft is one of the primary reasons I love building their stuff. I think if I ever created a Model Club, I would name it the "Mottling Crew".
John vd Biggelaar said on May 20, 2020
100% agree on that @luftwaffe-birdman.
My preference for German WWII aircraft is also because of their looks and special schemes.
dale travis said on May 20, 2020
Great looking build Walt. I used this kit for a conversion to a Hungarian Ca-1/ Me 210 and the canopy was a major PIA.
2 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Walt B said on May 20, 2020
Thanks @Dtravis, thats a nice looking conversion, I like your field application look. I have tried doing that look where they painted over existing markings to various degrees of success. I think your looks pretty damn good.
dale travis said on May 20, 2020
Thanks Walt!
Thomas Kokay said on August 4, 2020
I have one of these in the stash, and am going to build in the dame manner, after reading about the canopy issues I gotta say a vacuform canopy for this kit would be very cool!
Walt B said on August 11, 2020
I highly recommend building the kit, if you look things up there are a number of minor issues you can either try to fix or ignore and enjoy the kit. The canopy can be finicky for sure...I am not a fan of vacuum form canopies but that's just me. The kit has internal framework molded into it, which really looks good when painted up. Either way you go though it really is a fun kit, not perfect but fun.
Tom Cleaver said on May 20, 2020
Yeah, this kit is one of those old chestnuts that can always look good, and you did a very good job on it Walt.
One teensy-weensy thing for you when you do the other one in the stash: those canopy hatches should be vertical - that this angle they're going to fall down and hurt the guy climbing in.
Walt B said on May 20, 2020
Thanks @tcinla, I will remember that about the hatches. Funny now that you said it, it makes all the sense of he world.
Louis Gardner said on May 21, 2020
Walt, @luftwaffe-birdman
You did an excellent job with your 410. I have a few of these kits in the stash, and have looked at them more than several times. Each time I chickened out and closed the boxes up again. One of these days I'll take the plunge and give them a try. I am very impressed with your camouflage painting. The base you have it displayed on is also very nice.
Well done, and I clicked the "liked" button too.
Walt B said on May 21, 2020
Louis, @Lgardner thanks for the like. I really would give it a try...its a fun kit overall and an interesting subject. The camouflage of WWII German aircraft are so much fun and do tend to stretch and improve your painting skills.