Do 335 B-2, Eastern Front What If

[chrish]

Looks great! 

good job!!

[LSP_Ray]

Finally! Another step done! You probably thought I shelved it...

Anyway, next up for me was the cockpit. Here is the pit:

First, here is the kit part, cleaned of details in prep for the Eduard parts, with the Eduard PE floor in place. I added some plastic angle around the forward perimeter as it didn't want to stay flat:

And here it is painted RLM66:

PE rudder pedals added. The pedal supports were a beeyatch, I added a plastic rod inside the brackets and drilled a hole into the sidewalls for the rod to pass through. It made gluing them easier and much stronger support. I also added a small, but larger PE piece where the pedals attach to the support as I didn't thin 1 x .5 mm was enough!:

Finally, with the Eduard panels and joystick added:

An oxygen hose was added. I spent about an hour searching for some ribbed hose, found it, then when I looked at the ref's again, finally noted the ribbed hose in the pictures was added by the USAF when testing the Do 335. D'oh! The Germans just had smooth hose. So I used some car detail coolant hosing, with fine beads as fittings.

From other direction:

 

[LSP_Ray]

Here is the rear wall:

I added a pair of Airscale warning placards as I figured they would have some info for the field service personnel about the bang seat...

And here is said seat:

I adjusted one armrest, added some padding, and instead of the Eduard parts, added some lead foil on top of the box behind the headrest. Apparently, that held a drogue chute and the flaps were canvas or thin leather flaps. I also added foil over the armored headrest as it was covered in leather. It probably should be grey, as well as the seat pad but I wanted a little more color. Of course, the HGW belts covered up 90% of my work on the pad.

[Out2gtcha]

I like it! 

[LSP_Ray]

And all put together!:

Eduard pit makes for a busy office! I also added some small discs under some of the dials to give a more 3D effect.

I gotta say, I hate the adhesive on the back. It doesn't stick that well, except to your tweezers, and made it harder to use.

 

[LSP_Ray]

Next up, the IP! I was going to use the Yahu panel, until I realized it is for the 335A model and is slightly different. Luckily, the Eduard one is pretty darn nice itself. Here is the two panels:

The Eduard one is on the right. It is a little more pixelated, but isn't that bad at all when viewed without magnification.

This will be my last update for a while as I am headed to AZ for some business, but I will be back!

[LSP_Ray]

5 minutes ago, Out2gtcha said:

I like it! 

Thanks! But you need to wait to I post all the pics!

[Out2gtcha]

I agree, the Yahu panel, is really nice, but the Eduard panel isnt too shabby either. 

[LSP_Ray]

Yes, and the Yahu A panel doesn't match the kit panel which was going to cause problems with recreating the instrument backs and wiring.

[Fvdm]

That's a great office you made. I agree with you about the adhesive of the Eduard stuff. They would better make pe without adhesive because it doesn't stick very well. 

[dodgem37]

Great show, Ray.  I like the texture of the headrest.  Did you use a sponge for the seat wear?  Very effective.

 

Sincerely,

Mark

[themongoose]

Purdy! I like the detail choices you made. Very realistic cockpit.

[LSP_Ray]

9 hours ago, dodgem37 said:

Great show, Ray.  I like the texture of the headrest.  Did you use a sponge for the seat wear?  Very effective.

 

Sincerely,

Mark

Thanks for the comments, guys!

 

Mark, yes I used the sponge technique on the leather with Lifecolor's leather set. Worked really well. The seat pad looked really good, but is basically hidden by the belts. Oh, well, good practice I guess. 

[Alain Gadbois]

Very nice cockpit Ray, and the leather effect is quite astonishing!

 

Alain

[LSP_Ron]

Looking great!