Revell/MPM 1/72 Junkers Ju 290Z Zwilling w/He-178P
It was one of those cold February nights in 1943, with Steinhoorn comfortably seated in “his” Ju 290Z left cockpit, executing yet another long maritime patrol. “Long” is an understatement! With those extra fuel tanks added in the central wing and 4 of the 8 engines feathered during patrolling, his flying giant could stay airborne for the whole night! Enemy night fighters had little luck discovering him with their primitive (if any) radars.
Based at Merignac, operating strictly at night, covered by large camoed canvases during daytime, the Zwilling was really a lucky giant, for not having been discovered. The effects of weathering were evident: pressed into service, chipped paint could be seen at places, mainly as no proper salt resistant priming was applied under the “night blue” camo.
So there he was, with his 18-man crew, plus his friend, Hauptman Ziegel, patiently seated in the modified Heinkel parasite, sporting the same “Midnight Blue” camo, as well (only an extremely skillful pilot would be allowed in the handful Heinkel). Steinhoorn had somehow foreseen the war outcome, not very favorable for his country, his one-off Zwilling not enough to make any difference. Still, he was proud that he insisted on this ultra-long range and endurance maritime reconnaissance project, with time proving that he was right. Deep in his heart, all he wished was an end for this mad war, with the least possible damage, so he could establish some magic friendships with his – by that time – enemies…
And the real story
The Junkers Ju 290 was a large German, four-engine long-range transport, maritime patrol aircraft and heavy bomber used by the Luftwaffe late in World War II that had been developed from an earlier airliner.
Junkers project documents from 1942 to 1944 indicated that a Zwilling variant was proposed. It was to be composed of two Ju 290 fuselages and powered by eight BMW 9-801 engines; two mounted on each outboard wing and four on the inboard wing. It was to carry a single Messerschmitt Me 328 parasite fighter on top of the right fuselage. The Ju 290Z was canceled in favor of the Ju 390.
This was a what-if project that combined two Revell Ju-290s and a MPM He-178. All are wonderful kits in their own ways (the Revells very detailed mainstream ones, the MPM equally detailed short run, but easilly built). The two Ju-290s were joined in the middle by sawing off corresponding wing parts and glue them together, with some sanding/filling/resanding and rescribing taking place. The Heinkel was scratch-modified to look like a hybrid gas turbine/pulse-jet prototype. The camo was inspired by imagining the Zwilling flying at night over the Atlantic, playing with the moonshine.
Should you wish to read the full build review (which, understandably, is not amongst the smallest), you may do so by visiting my beloved Modelingmadness via the link below:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/axis/luft/46/pen290.htm
Happy modeling!
@fiveten
Spiros, this is one of the wackiest zwilling combinations I’ve seen in a model form, and that small Heinkel with pulse engines as a piggyback fighter is just the cherry on top of the cake.
It’s a stunning/daring model, and the camouflage looks terrific also. Bravo and thanks for posting!
Thanks my friend @holzhamer!
WoW, very nice project. Well done mate (@fiveten). I was thinking about building some willing by my own. This was some cazy machine. I am always wondering how they was navigate (probably pilots of both machines should be perfectly synchronized). Best regards
Thanks my friend @dalixan! You can place a safe bet that Zwillings would be not among the easiest machines to fly!
Fantastic build as usual, Spiros @fiveten.
Amazing camouflage pattern on this wacky combination as well.
Your article on MM was also a pleasure to read.
Thanks my friend @johnb!
Glad you liked my article!
Wowzers once again, Spiros!
Excellent paint work - and fancy mods to match the kits together.
You might need an actual aircraft hanger to have this one on display.
Thanks my friend @georgeswork!
Oh,yeah, she IS big!
And one more great build Spiros @fiveten. Like the outdoors pictures.
Thanks my friend @yann!
Strange concept, love the camo finish ...real nice !
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Thanks my friend @piet!
Cool! Wonder if the parasite pilot would sit in the cockpit all night during patrols... 😀
Now, find yourself a couple of Blohm & Voss Viking to do the same with https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-04383-blohm-and-voss-bv222-wiking--259037 Could fit 4 parasite planes underneath the wings.
Thanks my friend @stellan!
I doubt Hauptman Ziegel could stand ultra long night patrols, unless allowed to sleep in the cockpit? 🙂
Oh, but surely there must be bunk beds to nap in? Didn´t they have beds in Catalinas and Sunderlands?
I don't know where you find the time to get all these fantastic build done Spiros, @fiveten. Excellent build and I love the paint scheme. That would have been massive in flight.
Thanks my friend @luftwaffe-birdman!
With the those un-joined tails, I would not want to be the mid-wing section!..
Massive in flight, in deed. How about taxying the damn thing?
Very cool, love the paint scheme! I hadn't heard of the Ju 290, so had to read up on it. I learned something new today! 🙂
Thanks my friend @robgenev665!
Glad my build was a spark in order to learn something new!
Ah...here it is. I was waiting to see if you would post additional photos and you did. Such a mind blowing model @fiveten. You’ve done it again. I can’t imagine this beast could ever get airborne. Nice thorough piece you wrote for MM but your “what if” tale is pretty cool.
Thanks my friend @eb801!
Yep, this wobbling giant could not even high-speed taxi...
Thanks for liking the story: Hauptleute Steinhoorn and Ziegel are truly grateful!
Amazing Spiros @fiveten, this is a very big build. The story is very catchy, but the real story is still interesting. You do build some very interesting subjects! Great paint job and finish!
Thanks my friend @v1pro!
Brilliant work, @fiveten. A monument to serious creativity and talent.
Thanks my friend @tcinla!
Wow Spiros, that is a real monster project!
Thanks my friend @pikofix!
What they said, great work!
Thanks mt friend @roofrat!
Amazing work. Big ! It reminds me strangely enough of Jules Verne’s
Robert the conqueror !
Thanks my friend @bernardbedeur
@fiveten Spiros, that is a giant beauty! ? Great job on a fantastic aircraft! ?
Thanks my friend @garybrantley!
Inspired build! Love the backstory and all the attention to detail. You made this insane idea seem plausible.
Thanks my friend @vacrat!
Man, that has to take up some real estate on the display shelves! A great-looking project - love the paint scheme.
Thanks my friend @gkittinger!
Yes, it is BIG, BIG, BIG!
It's mad and cool at the same time 🙂
Thanks my friend @remete!