Mistel Combinations – Mistel 1 & Mistel S2
These two model sets go back a long way, as many of my kits do nowadays. The Mistel 1, an operational 'flying bomb' variant, was a 2013 build using the current Revell Ju88A-4 kit and a Finemolds Bf109G, worked back to a decent Bf109F, and was repainted about three years ago with more accurate colours, and a bit of repair work done with the support struts. The Mistel S2, a training aircraft using the Hasegawa Ju88G-1 & Fw190A, was completed in 2010, and underwent a repaint and some repair work recently, only a week or so ago.
I've always had a compulsion to rework and repair old kits and while this can be anything from easy to complex, I really enjoy it, especially when the work is completed and I have a rejuvenated model. Both have challenging aspects with carefully attaching the struts then mounting the fighter atop, and while the Mistel S2 has more support and strut components, the Mistel 1 has a resin warhead to attach and seamlessly amalgamate and detail. This piece comes from an old Arba resin conversion set which had been skulking in the spares box for several decades, but has been smiling broadly in relatively recent times after being pampered and enjoying a revival of fortunes... ;-).
Aside from the conversion pieces, the two sets are OOB with the exception of the Focke-Wulf's canopy, which is a replacement vacuformed item from the Falcon range. While the trainer has not been identified as belonging to a specific unit thus far, it was located at Löbnitz in Germany at the end of the war, but it's not clear if that was the location of that name on the Baltic coast or in Saxony; the Mistel 1 was used operationally, although without success after being intercepted by a nightfighter while on a mission to attack Allied invasion shipping in the Seine Bay. The Bf109 pilot apparently managed to detach his aircraft from the Ju88, which was destroyed, but he never returned to his base at St.Dizier and was posted missing in action. The remaining four combinations succeeded in launching their bomber components but with little success; only one ship, HMS Nith, was seriously damaged with ten crewmen killed and at least a further 20 injured.
I hope you like these two sets, and the build video is available via this link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHyrpVqH_Xc.
Very cool, Paul. I’ve always wanted to do a mistel project.
Hi, Ben... thanks very much. I think both of these sets look a lot better now with a fresh coat of paint anad some weathering. I appreciate you taking time to look in, and also for your kind comment.
Rejuvenating models is a good thing Paul. I just got through with doing several as I go through the many many boxes to determine what goes to Oregon next spring.
Hi, Tom... yes, I agree. I have quite a time of things looking through boxes, but it's enjoyable to pick out something to work on again and hopefully imrpove them. It sounds as though you've got quite a few boxes more than me, though, reading between the lines... ;-).
Both are fantastic and I really like the rework you have done on both, Paul!
Well done!
Thanks, Spiros. I think they came up well and they look better now... :-).
What a project and masterfully done!
Thanks, Neill, for your very kind comments - much appreciated.
Impressive rework you did on both, Paul @paulh
Painting on all of them is really nice, especially the squiggling one.
A Mistel is something which is still missing on my shelf.
Hi, John... thank you for your comments. Perhaps we can look forward to seeing a Mistel from you in due course... ;-).
NICE NICE! Well done on all aspects, Paul
Gary, thanks for taking time to look in. I'm pleased you like the end results. I appreciate your comments... ;-).
Nice work and rework, Paul. Great finish with the camo paint.
Hi, George... yes, I enjoyed repainting these two and repairing the little bit of damage they'd sustained. Glad you like them... ;-).
Great work, both turned out beautifully! Love the Mistal in all its versions, one of my favorites!
Thanks, Jeff. I appreciate your comments... ;-).
They both look great.
John, thanks very much for your comment... ;-).
Very nicely done! Jury is still out on my desire to build a Mistal, but these are definitely calling me to consider...
Hi, Greg... I suppose they can be a bit fiddly, especially getting the upper component onto the struts, but I'm sure you would succeed. Thanks for your comments... ;-).
Well done Paul, nicely resurrected.
Thanks, Allan... always good to breathe some new life into these old kits. Thanks for looking in... ;-).
Great results on your re-work project. I've got a few junkers I spent some time upgrading while some new wonder kits sit around waiting for me to get around to them, it can be quite satisfying.
Hi, Chas... thank you. It's nice to know there are a good few of us who enjoy turning around older kits into something better - as you say, it can be quite satisfying. Thanks for looking in... ;-).