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Dragon Me 163B 1/48

Started by Michael Turner · 35 ≡ · ↻ 3 years ago

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Michael Turner said 3 years, 7 months ago:

Having just finished my J8M for the Empire of Japan group build (https://imodeler.com/groups/the-empire-of-japan-1919-1946/forum/topic/1-48-finemolds-j8m-shusui/?_wpnonce=dd6be7b92d#post-45515), I am going to build its cousin, the Me 163B.
Michael Turner said 3 years, 7 months ago:

I bought this kit at a swap meet for $10 earlier this year.
As you can see from the photo, it has already been started - mostly priming and assembly of the metal parts and wings.
I checked and everything is there.
This is the Dragon boxing of the Trimaster kit, with parts moulded in plastic that were white metal in the original version.
I've included a picture of the Trimaster boxing that I built some time around 1990 (My first airbrushed kit).
Also included in the first photo are the Trimaster instructions and decals for the all red V41 flown on the types first operational mission by Maj Wolfgang Spate on 13th May 1944.
I've included on of my references and accompanying decal sheet in the photo. Unfortunately the decal sheet doesn't include the under-wing code letters. So, I'll see how well the Trimaster decals have held up over 30 years and at a pinch I'll use the 1/23 code decals under the wing.
My other reference is Spate's biography in which he describes hi surprise when he discovered that the ground crew had painted the aircraft red over night in honour of the Red Baron. He felt very conspicuous hopping in the aircraft for the mission.

I think the red Me 163 will sit well next to the orange J8M.
2 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Brian Kirwan said 3 years, 7 months ago:

Yes the red one please.
I have this kit at home and its a lovely little thing. Looking forwaed to seeing your progress.
John vd Biggelaar said 3 years, 7 months ago:

Would be great to see it in red, Michael.
Looking forward to that.
Erik Gjørup said 3 years, 7 months ago:

Colorful choice as you already mentioned as a possibility in the J8 build. Looking forward to it @michaelt.
Spiros Pendedekas said 3 years, 7 months ago:

This is a wonderful entry, my friend @michaelt! Looks to be a good kit:
What were your experiences in building it (as Trimaster) many years ago?
Oh yes, I love it in red, too!
Looking forward to it!
Gary Brantley said 3 years, 7 months ago:

I think the red Komet is a good idea. This will be a cool choice and one I'm a bit familiar with; I put the ancient Testors (ex-Hawk) kit together in 1989. It "may" have had 20 parts total. It was a quick and simple kit to build and here's a look at that one:
2 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Colin Gomez said 3 years, 7 months ago:

A fascinating aircraft and a great kit, Michael. Can't believe you got it for only 10 bucks. Definitley looking forward to this build.
Louis Gardner said 3 years, 7 months ago:

Michael, @michaelt
This kit was definitely worth $10 and I have a larger 1/32 scale Hasegawa version that just might creep it's way into this Luftwaffe group build. I have seen how nice your 262's turned out, and I'll bet this on will end up being just as nice, no matter which color scheme you decide to use.

Gary, @garybrantley
I have two of these Testors 163's (ex Hawk) that I built shortly after I returned to the hobby. They were also some of the earliest models that I used an airbrush on. Mine were camouflaged, and look real good... until you see the ugly gap where the upper wing met the fuselage. This is why I have not posted them here. They were built before I knew to fill in the gaps with putty. It was part of the learning curve we all go through.

Yours look very nice in red.
Ronnie Olsthoorn said 3 years, 7 months ago:

Will look awesome next to the orange J8M!
Gary Brantley said 3 years, 7 months ago:

@lgardner, thanks a lot! It was the first all one color plane I'd done at that point, and perhaps my fourth or fifth completion after returning to the hobby in the mid-late '80s. Yes, there has been a learning curve...a very wide and sweeping one at that! 🙂
Michael Turner said 3 years, 6 months ago:

I've made a start on this.
Painted and assembled the fuselage parts.
Not too much effort here as I think I'll close the canopy on this one.
Plus, this aircraft will be as it was prior to it's, and the type's, very first operation, so it would have been very clean inside and out.
2 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Spiros Pendedekas said 3 years, 6 months ago:

Nice start and looking great, my friend @michaelt!
Erik Gjørup said 3 years, 6 months ago:

Looks quite OK for closed canopy Michael!
John vd Biggelaar said 3 years, 6 months ago:

Looks great, Michael.
To me you can even choose to leave the canopy open.

Viewing 1 - 15 of 35 posts

Imperial German Air Service / Luftwaffe Group Build May 1st, 1910, to Present Day

Dragon Me 163B 1/48