Amodel's Dornier Do26
Well, this is a prime example of checking your reference sources, which I didn't. I really liked this colour scheme when I saw it ten years ago now, and promptly applied it to this model. Unfortunately, on tidying up the colour scheme recently, I perpetuated the error as this aircraft was returned to its unarmed specification sometime before undertaking the mission to eastern Greenland to evacuate a meteoroligical team in 1943 - 'Operation Holzauge'. So, if you want to use this colour scheme, please ensure you do not attach the bow turret or lateral blisters, and block off the MG position under the rear hull.
So yes, I know, it's as challenging as the Mach2 offering from yesteryear, but I found its external engraved detail to be really quite good, its canopy and other transparent pieces a vast improvement on the Mach2 parts, although the Amodel transpariencies are a little chunky for my liking, and I chose to replace them with vacuform items from the Falcon range. Those aftermarket pieces are very clear, but may need a little adjusting to get them to fit as they're designed for the Mach2 model. Also, the Amodel lateral blisters are better from an accuracy viewpoint, as they are correctly 'teardrop' shaped, whereas the Falcon blisters are more oval.
In addition, I took the opportunity to rework the rear propellor spinners as I felt their backplates were too thick; I was obliged to rework the front spinners as I lost one of the originals. I replaced all the propellor blades using thinner ones from the spares box, remembering to fit the rear ones at the correct angle - front and back blades were not angled the same. I resisted the urge to modify the rear portion of each engine cowling upwards by 10 degrees in order to replicate their position on taking-off and alighting on a body of water. This was quite an advanced design characteristic which removed the propellor blades from the possibility of being struck by water spray. All of the small circular windows were made using 'Kristal Klear' and were coated with Future once dry. I applied homemade blackwash to the uppersurfaces and where the engraved detail was slightly shallower, I used a pencil to create the panel lines - another first for me.
Despite my rather obvious faux pas with the nose turret and blisters, I really like the end result. Easily the most elegant of the interwar period flying boats, it was the last of a long line of Dornier maritime aircraft... and what a high point to end on.
I hope you like this, and the full build can be seen on YouTube via this link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_668s830NPc
Amodel kits are a lot of work (even the simple ones). Excellent work and paint scheme.
Excellent job on the very challenging Amodel kit and really superb result, Paul!
Superb result on this clearly difficult kit, Paul @paulh
It turned out really nice in this scheme.
Great job on your build, Paul. This is a tough kit with lots of gaps to fill or file parts into shape. You have made a very fine looking Do-26.
Nicely done Paul.
You have a thumbs up just for the fact you build this kit! But the fact is it just looks great in the winter camouflage, and armed or not it’s a gem of a model, beautiful work
Guys, thanks to you all for taking time to look in and leave your comments. Indeed, a challenging model but an unusual one to have in the collection.
Elbow grease and dedication paid off, Paul. Well done.
Another 'Wowzer'!
I don't think I even knew about the Do26 with its twin pull/push engines.
Very nice work, Paul.
This turned out to be a very nice looking model , excellent work , Paul!
I tried to build an Amodel kit once.., I put them on my “ do not buy again “ list.
Excellent effort with that kit! I like all the Dornier "boats," and your effort to bring this kit to life really paid off.
Thanks again, guys... your comments are very much appreciated... ;-).
Beautiful work, Paul, resulting in a model as elegant as the original. Perhaps it bore this scheme and its armament together at some point, if not for that specific mission. Congratulations!
I feel your pain. I built this some years ago (article is on here) and it is a difficult kit to put it politely! I agree it is a very, very elegant flying boat. Elegant, and advanced!