Yoo-hoo?! No, Uhu.
My newest archiving addition is the 1/48 Tamiya He-219 Uhu. I got this kit pretty cheap from a vendor at a local contest. A couple pieces were broken but, nothing too difficult to fix. I am a modeler after all ?. The kit, as most Tamiya kits do, went together extremely well. Probably most of you know the cockpit tub/forward landing gear bay is a single piece cast in metal. It fit perfectly and solves the problem of weighting the nose to avoid tail sitting.
The biggest challenge with this one is the camo scheme. Taking a cue from one of Tom Cleaver's articles at another site, I painted the bottom RLM 76 and the top RLM 75. After the paint was dry, I went over the darker RLM 75 with the lighter 76 creating the mottled look. I painted one wing starting at the tip to the center of the fuselage one evening, the other wing the same way the next night, the forward fuselage on the third night and finally the rear fuselage and empennage the fourth night. Whew!
I do think it turned out pretty well if I do say so myself.
I have to say I thing this was one of Germany's prettiest planes during the war. The mottling turned out great! I think this one may be getting added to the stash. How big is it? Between a P-38 and B-25 for size? Also, I've wondered, what is the disc on the top of the fuselage? An APU or air conditioning unit? My Ar-234 has one as well.
Josh, it's a homing device. On JU-88s as well. Clear disc, with the device inside, looks like a flywheel or a cog.
Bernard, now I know what that thing is too!
Thanks Josh. It's a little smaller than a B-25. It's about the same size as a 1/32 WW II single engine fighter.
Scott, it did! Spot camouflage is hard to do, and you got it. Imposing aircraft and model!
Thanks Bernard. It's also imposing as it takes up a lot of space on the shelf!
Very nice paint work. I've only started using an airbrush (Just about to spray my 4th model) and looking for any and all techniques. Many Luftwaffe aircraft still in the stash for this reason
Thanks George. Using an airbrush does take some practice. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.
I really like your "Owl"... You did a great job with it. It's one of my favorite Luftwaffe twins.
Thanks Louis. The "Owl" is my favorite German twin.
That turned out beautifully, Scott. Having never done one myself, I must say that the metal cast cockpit tub and nose wheel well is a great idea - more manufacturers should do something like that. Love that scheme, too.
Thanks Craig. I recommend you try one!
Stunning UHU. Undoubtedly one of the best Nightfighters of WW II.
Thanks Morne. It's certainly the best night fighter in my collection.
I remember when I built this a few years ago I used an aftermarket brass set for the radar, which was worth the investment, but your version here is very nicely presented. Thanks for posting.
Thanks Rob. I debated using after market. But, I was a little photo etch-phobic at the time.
Great looking model - and excellent results with the paint work!
Thanks Greg.
Very nice Scott.Good work
Thanks Anthony.
Turned Out very well, your efforts are Well deserved!
Thanks Christian.
Nice !
Thanks Robert.
I love happy endings. The mottling looks very convincing. Everything came together on this build. It works.
Two thumbs up.
Thanks Stephan.
Very, very nice. Well done Scott. Also thought your title was really clever.
Thanks Tom. I try for clever titles and sometimes get it right ?
Scott: Glad to help. You got the "cloudy" look just right. Excellent result overall.
Thanks Tom. Your articles at Modeling Madness are always one of my stops before a build.
Great looking model of a great looking plane.
Very well done! These German Night Fighter camouflages are as beautiful as they are difficult to apply.