Dornier Do335B-6 night fighter

[Chippyminton]

Hello folks, and greetings from Derbyshire. 

 

As a relative newcomer to the forum and a recent ‘returnee’ to the hobby after a 50-year break -  I’m proud to present the outcome of my first LSP build thread.

 

This B-6 night fighter variant of the Do335 is a ‘what-if’ which never entered production – but which was to be equipped with FuG218 ‘Neptun’ radar apparatus along with a second cockpit for the operator. I faced a bit of a dilemma deciding how to finish this aircraft in a scheme which had actually been used by the Luftwaffe and was therefore historically plausible – but which would also provide a nice contrast to the RLM76/75 pale blue & grey mottle to be worn by the upcoming GB He219 build which will stand next to it on a ‘Nachtjäger’ display base.

 

Whilst searching around for ideas, I chanced upon the Smithsonian’s excellent blog about the meticulously-researched paint scheme for their NASM He219 restoration;

 

 

Detailed spectral analysis of undamaged internal paintwork, plus near-forensic removal of a post-war USA repaint along with accurate pattern mapping of the heavily-corroded remains on the upper surfaces revealed RLM22 undersides and RLM75 uptop, overpainted with one of the numerous late-war incarnations of RLM76 applied in a spectacularly wild Wellenmuster/Mäandertarn pattern.

 

So I decided to replicate it;

 

 

 

The only real departure was that I mixed a slightly darker version of RLM76 since the very pale NASM colour didn’t scale very well, looking far too ‘white’ against the RLM75 on my practise mule. I have nowhere near the airbrush skills necessary to spray this - so I 'what-if' imagined a hard-edged brush application by Otto the groundcrew guy. Weathering is absolutely minimal – I wanted this to look like a relatively new aircraft which had only recently emerged from a ‘what-if’ factory which hadn’t yet been flattened by the USAAF and the RAF.

 

Just for smiles, I’ve painted the undercarriage legs ‘mysterious red‘ as seen on some Bf109’s and discussed on here previously. The firestarter was @dutik who very kindly shared his photos of the Do335 at Rechlin - German aircraft. German museum. German researchers. German restorers and craftsmen. Photos sent to me by a top-of-the-range German …….. ‘mysterious red’ legs.

 

How much more convincing does a rookie need?

 

 

I’d like to once again express my enormous gratitude to all the talented LSP guys who’ve so graciously taken time out of their days to help me with their advice and encouragement as I’ve eased back into this and begun to find my feet. Thankyou all very much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone for taking time out of your day to take a look at this.

 

Very best wishes to everyone.

Kev

 

 

Edited July 28 by Chippyminton

[MikeC]

Very nicely done. 

It may be a what-if, but looks right, if that makes sense. 

[dutik]

Very nice build 

 

The squiggle pattern turned out nicely. To be honest - I'd brushpaint this pattern too. There are a few airbrush gods, but most of us are mere mortals 

Never noticed the "red legs" at the Rechlin 335. Always looked at the green front fork and called it a day. You are eagle-eyed  Pics of the Rechlin Do-335 are to be found here. It is a replica using some salvaged original parts. Real 335s are short in supply nowadays 

 

Thank you for sharing your model build!

Regards

- dutik

[Martinnfb]

Came out beautifully. 
 

cheers

 

Martin

[RCPlym]

On 7/27/2026 at 7:59 PM, Chippyminton said:

eased back

 

I suspect you are back with a bang! Your Dornier is outstanding!

 

Now there's 50 years to catch up with!!!

 

What is next? 

[Sasha As]

Great job ! 

[Jim Barry]

I love it! The force is strong with you

[Out2gtcha]

Awesome!!

 

That really did turn out wonderful! Its right up my ally as a matter of fact.

Honestly, its too bad we can't get a picture of your Do335B-6 and my Do-335 A-2/Trop together.......

Had Hitler made some drastically different decisions than he did and deployed these versions in place early things may have turned out very different.

 

 

Well done!!

[LSP_Ray]

On 7/27/2026 at 11:59 AM, Chippyminton said:

Hello folks, and greetings from Derbyshire. 

 

As a relative newcomer to the forum and a recent ‘returnee’ to the hobby after a 50-year break -  I’m proud to present the outcome of my first LSP build thread.

 

This B-6 night fighter variant of the Do335 is a ‘what-if’ which never entered production – but which was to be equipped with FuG218 ‘Neptun’ radar apparatus along with a second cockpit for the operator. I faced a bit of a dilemma deciding how to finish this aircraft in a scheme which had actually been used by the Luftwaffe and was therefore historically plausible – but which would also provide a nice contrast to the RLM76/75 pale blue & grey mottle to be worn by the upcoming GB He219 build which will stand next to it on a ‘Nachtjäger’ display base.

 

Whilst searching around for ideas, I chanced upon the Smithsonian’s excellent blog about the meticulously-researched paint scheme for their NASM He219 restoration;

 

 

Thanks to everyone for taking time out of your day to take a look at this.

 

Very best wishes to everyone.

Kev

 

 

Great what-if scheme!

May I post it on the website?

[Chippyminton]

8 hours ago, LSP_Ray said:

Great what-if scheme!

May I post it on the website?

Of course mate. I’d be truly honoured. But hang fire for a day or so - I’ll take some better photos and pop them on here.

Edited 11 hours ago by Chippyminton

[Chippyminton]

 

 

 

 

 

Here you go @LSP_Ray -  Better photos (just ...). Basking in the Derbyshire sunshine;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Chippyminton]

On 8/2/2026 at 12:19 AM, RCPlym said:

What is next? 

 

Well .......... the brutally revealing photos showed me that the 'Wellenmuster' should really have had a repeat application from the Molotow pump marker I used to do it. The paint has to be thinned to airbrushing consistency to flow properly, and it's now obvious that I should have done a second coat. So another lesson learned ...... but I don't want to risk making things worse by attempting to do it retrospectively. But it looks nowhere near as washed-out in real life.

 

Anyway - I'm around a third of the way through a Kotare K-4 - then it's onto the GB He219 😉 

[Chippyminton]

And once again - thankyou to everyone for the kind words and the encouragement. It's greatly appreciated.

 

Kev