July 28, 1998

Click on the pictures below to get a larger, full-screen image.

 

Photo #1  Overall view.  As with my FW-190, enamels for plastic models were used: Testor's Model Master - RLM 80 Olivgruen (olive green) Floquil 303033 Medium Green (-34138) - RLM 83 Lichtgruen (light green) Testor's Model Master - RLM 76 Lichtblau (light blue) The Testor's colors were accurate, but the paint has a matte finish which I don't like.  The FS numbers on these paints indicate they should be flat, but they're not. The Floquil paint is much better - it covers better and the finish is dead flat.

 

Photo #2  Rear 3/4 view.  Also as on my FW-190, I used Chevron "Perfect Paint" dead flat clear overall for fuel-proofing.  Panel lines were done with plain #2 pencil - before the dead flat clear was applied.

 

Photo #3  View from tail looking forward.  Spinners and props are AeroMaster RLM 70 Schwartzgruen (black green).  Black is often used mistakenly. Color chips from Monogram Aviation Publications "Painting Guide for German Aircraft 1939-1945" were used for paint matching.

 

Photo #4  Rear fuse close-up.  The model is finished in the markings of Wr. Nr. 240102, the only surviving Do 335.  Brought to the US after the war, it was stored for years at the US Navy's NAS Patuxent River.  In the 1970's it was returned to Germany for restoration by Dornier.  It was displayed at the Deutsches Museum in Munich for 10 years and then returned to the Garber Facility of the NASM where it is today.  See the Garber Virtual Tour for current pictures of this aircraft.

 

Photo #5  Nose section close-up.  Spinner is Pica's FW-190 spinner.  Prop is 3-blade Master Airscrew 13-6.  Cannon blast tubes are made from styrene plastic tubing (Plasti-struct), shoved into holes carved out of the balsa skin.  Epoxy & microballoons was used to fill in around the tubes, then the tops were cut open and then ends shaped. Supercharger air intakes are from balsa block, carved and sanded, then hollowed out.  Music wire bent into a circle is used to reinforce the circular opening.  The forward intake is used to hide the radio on/off switch.  A piece of music wire is used to operate the switch with a finger stuck into the opening. Exhaust stacks are from styrene "square" plastic tubing, glued to sheet plastic backplate.

 

Photo #6  Canopy in open position.  Brass doll house hinges are used.  The cockpit is not finished.  I will complete it after the flying program begins.  Note the rails for the ejection seat are in place.  The Do 335 was one of the first aircraft to feature an ejection seat.

 

Photo #7  Sitting next to my truck you get an idea as to scale.  Even the 70" Do 335 is BIG!  The post-finishing weigh-in looks like about 16 pounds, maybe a bit more after I add some lead in the nose.

 

Photo #8  Nice hood ornament, huh?  :-)

 

Photo #9  Same view with flash.  Main LG doors are made from sheet aluminum, the type used as flashing for chimneys - available at the hardware store.  Cheap, durable, easy to replace.  It can be bent and re-bent to shape.  If the paint chips, metal shows through - kinda realistic :-)