G'day Pedro (@holzhamer),

I built this kit, well the same one Louis (@lgardner) has, back in 2016 and it is one of my favourite builds.

Looking at my build notes I can offer the following advice;

• I glued the two lower fuselage parts together and when dry, I glued three spacers spanwise across the gap at the top so that it had the correct spread for mating to the upper fuselage part. This also gave some internal strength to the join which was needed for when I later filed and sanded the join smooth.

• The upper central wing and outer panels are butt joins so I reinforced this area by gluing some plastic sheet under both upper central wing surfaces (see picture).

• The Do-217 had slotted ailerons, meaning that there was a gap between the wing and the aileron leading edge. The kit doesn't have this feature, perhaps betraying the vacuform origins of the kit design. I considered doing something about this but in the end I decided to ignore it as I wasn't sure exactly how big the gap should be, nor the correct profile for the ailerons.

• One of the criticisms of this kit is the front cowling ring and the cooling fan and one can purchase after-market resin replacements for these. I couldn't see what the problem is and used the kit parts. Another criticism is the spinners, again part of the after-market replacement set. After looking at numerous photos, I decided that the spinners were a shade too long and the propeller openings far too large. To remedy this, I sanded the rear of the kit spinners to reduce their length, which also had the effect of reducing the propeller openings to give a closer fit.

• A bit of blending with putty and sanding was required when it came to attaching the nacelles to the wing, but I didn't think this was too bad.

• poor fit of lower nose glazing and blending upper nose glazing

Good luck with the rest of your build.

2 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Pedro, @holzhamer
I read a review that I had printed out and saved in the box along with the instructions. In the review it mentioned the exact same things Michael did. As far as the spinners, it stated they were the correct shape and size, and added they were about 1 MM too long. It also mentioned the ailerons, but did not state how to correct them. I will most likely leave it alone when I build mine. Check your mail box, as I have sent you a PM as requested. Thanks 🙂

Michael, @michaelt
That is exactly how I hope my model turns out ! You nailed it ... and your build looks exceptionally nice. All of your work looks great, and I especially enjoyed your recent Me-262 build journals and headline articles.

Pedro (@holzhamer), as usual your skils with the paint is superb! I hope I might get there too one day (just got a magnifier lamp, so there might be hope on the horizon)

I will have a go at reading glasses AND a magnifyingglass lamp 😀

I'm in that camp also - prescriptions glasses for reading, and my magnifying lamp. Without them, a modeler I am not!

Perdro - you are really going all out on this one! Such incredible detail.

Watching this build Pedro, like Louis and others I have the Pro Modeler Do-217E kit as well a set of Aeromaster decals that includes the Ju-188 set I am using for the Racher that is in progress. When I had the kit down, I almost pulled the trigger on it to start work on it. But with 2 Invaders starting, a pair of Lightning's as well as the 188 and other projects, just no room for another mid-size multi-engine bomber. But your work so far Pedro is excellent. The interior looks fantastic. The details really pop and I am taking notes.