Jump to content

1/18 scale Flettner Fl-282 V21 Kolibri 3D printed / scratchbuilt model


Nick_Karatzides

Recommended Posts

  • 1 year later...

Great story, thanks for sharing this in the midst of your personal travails. I'm glad to hear the project is going forward with MiniArt, and I will always think of you when I see a reference to the new kit. Please be sure to pass on some information about the new kit to me so I can have it written up in Aeroscale, the sister site for Armorama where I am a contributor.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Been long time since last visit, huh? Well, let's remember some hobby fun again. :mellow:

 

The objective is to build two different diorama scenes for two different versions of the same helicopter:

According to plan, both of them would include few additional features without distracting viewer's attention, keeping the Kolibri helicopter as the main protagonist of the story. Starting with the full fuselage version, the addition of a WWII era Luftwaffe's 200 litres fuel drum with a handpump attached, few 20 litres canisters and a filled bucket left on ground, seemed good idea to me in order to present a short refueling scene.

 

IMAGE_0374.jpg

 

IMAGE_0375.jpg

 

IMAGE_0376.jpg

 

IMAGE_0377.jpg

 

IMAGE_0378.jpg

 

IMAGE_0379.jpg

 

IMAGE_0380.jpg

 

IMAGE_0381.jpg

 

IMAGE_0382.jpg

 

IMAGE_0383.jpg

 

Rivet counters may say that the presence of a 200 litres fuel drum right next to the helicopter may look unreal or “too much”. Well, considering that the twin seat Fl-282 V21 helicopter had two 25 litres cylindrical fuel tanks mounted externally on both sides of the pilot seat (while the main 105 litres fuel tank installed on previous versions removed to host observer’s rear seat), a number of only 2 or 3 fuel canisters could be just enough to do the job. I am not sure about the official refueling procedures followed by Luftwaffe for the Kolibri helicopter during operational conditions & which were the appropriate method followed by engineers & maintenance personnel.

  • Did they park the Kolibri close to area where 200 litres fuel drums stored and later pumped fuel directly into helicopter’s tanks through a hose?
  • Did they move (carrying on a truck / cart) the 200 litres fuel drums next to the helicopter’s parking area and later pump fuel inside tanks?
  • Did they fill helicopter’s tanks with hand-carried smaller 20 litres canisters & funnels, brought from main fuel storage area, next to parked Kolibri?

IMHO, all the above (and many others) sound quite possible scenarios. Since we all have seen WWII era pics showing airfield ground personnel using a big variety of methods, from operating Opel refueling trucks, to mule / donkey driven carts or poor maintenance personnel carrying 20 litres canisters by hands, I think that having few 20 litres canisters left into the diorama scene and same time a 200 litres fuel drum feeding the helicopter tanks directly through a hose, could be considered as realistic and not just an “artistic accepted” option.

 

IMAGE_0384.jpg

 

IMAGE_0385.jpg

 

IMAGE_0386.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Meanwhile, the rotor blades for both versions attached on their rotor heads as described into the building manual (click HERE for the PDF formated file) through pages #88 to #94. Parts sprayed over with AK interactive AK768 primer to spot mistakes and prepare for paintjob. I did a visual inspection and shot some pictures.

 

IMAGE_0387.jpg

 

IMAGE_0388.jpg

 

IMAGE_0389.jpg

 

IMAGE_0390.jpg

 

After overall primer, rotor blades dry fit tested to ensure that all individual components could be later combined together as an overall built model. I admit that it’s not easy to handle Kolibri scale model and find best angle for photoshoot on bench, while having the rotor blades (measuring approx 70 cm from one wingtip to the other) attached.

 

IMAGE_0391.jpg

Edited by Nick_Karatzides
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

I am building the MiniArt 282-V23. I have a couple of color questions; First, on photos of V23 in original paint scheme, the tubular structure seems to be a dark color, probably green. But in this build they are a blue/gray. Why is there difference ? Also concerning the rotor blades what color are they for V23? Once again they look dark on both sides in phots and you have portrayed them in a gray/blue. Is that just the primer?  Your build documentation is magnificent. Thanks for taking your time to address my questions.

Jager

Edited by Jager
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...