Huma 1/72 DFS 228

HUMA 1:72 DFS 228
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Carlos Giani (carlos_giani2002@yahoo.de)

Kit: Huma 1/72^nd scale DFS 228 (Kit N° 3503 ). Produced in Germany

Aircraft: The rocket-powered high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft DFS 228 was designed to climb to altitudes up to 23000 m (some 75000 feet) and was then, due to this extreme height, far beyond the operational limits of any other aircraft of its time.

The DFS 228 design was a mid-wing monoplane, using wood wherever possible, with the exception of the pressurized nose compartment, which was of an all-metal construction. Equipped with Zeiss infra-red camera, the plane was to be used for powerless reconnaissance missions. To perform this, the DFS 228 was carried or towed to an altitude of 10,000 meters by a Do-317 K3, forming a so called „Mistel“. After igniting the Walter liquid-fuel rocket engine and separating from its carrier, the DFS 228 was to attain its service ceiling within 5 minutes.

Due to the extreme altitude, the cabin was pressurized, and had all its survival systems included. In case of emergency, it could be jettisoned from the main fuselage as a self-contained unit, descending by means of a parachute to a safe altitude, were the pilot would then eject, descending by parachute.

By the end of the war several prototypes had been built. Flight testing, however, was only performed in non-powered glide mode, and the surviving units were confiscated by the US forces.

Parts: In one plastic bag there are one sprue containing 35 light green-grey parts, one soft plastic sprue containing 13 very thin, small parts, one sprue with 3 clear parts, one decal sheet and the instructions. There is no flash, although some seam lines will need heavy removal. The parts are clean molded, and the attachment points to the sprue are „medium“ thick. There are engraved, a bit irregular panel lines, giving the kit a level somewhere between the crude Henschel Hs 132 and the excellent Fa 223 I've reviewed lately.

The fuselage consists of two halves containing the mid-to-rear section, the front section being made from two cylindrical parts plus a circular bulkhead broken down the same way that the real plane was. A kind of transparent ring is trapped between the two cylindrical parts, this being an interesting solution to represent the four peripheral windows behind the pilot. For the nose you can choose between one plastic part with a small clear cupola, or a whole clear half-sphere, depending on the version you build. You get a complete, very well detailed cockpit, including a lot of the levers and framings present on the real thing, the parts coming almost from the soft plastic sprue (this parts are really fiddly to handle with, so much care is asked).

The wings are one-piece each side, and they have long locating flat tabs which overlap each other, ensuring the right dihedral. The tailplane and the fin are one-piece, the rudder being molded separately and designated to be glued butt-joined. The „landing gear“ consists of a retractable skid, which can be mounted retracted or extended, in this case having parts for the beams and the hydraulics. There are no antennae, but you get rods to mount the subject on the back of a Do-317.

Instructions: 1 and half A3 sheet folded to conform 6 A4-pages. Page one and six contain a very comprehensive history / technical data review in German, English and French. Page two shows the painting/decaling in four-view real-scale diagrams, the paints given in RLM code. Pages three, four and five shows the construction in approx. five steps, being clear enough for every modeller with some experience; there are also a couple of helpful sketches of the cockpit.

Versions: Two versions, one in all-over Grey RLM02 („D-IBFQ“) and one in upper green RLM71 and lower blue RLM65 („AT+RF“)

Decals: Apparently printed by Huma, they are a bit thick, but carrier film is very transparent. You get a decal for the instrument panel, but no stencilling is provided.

Detail: As stated above, the panel lines are a bit crude, but otherwise the detail level is excellent, particularly in the cockpit area.

Options: You get two kind of canopies, the rudder can be glued turned and the skid can be glued retracted or extended.

Impressions: Despite the few minor concerns regarding surface quality, this kit looks like it will make into a very interesting subject. With some patience it appears it will work out fine.

Recommendations: A must for all Luftwaffe´46 fans. Should not be tackled by beginners, because of the very small parts for the cockpit.

web hosting • domain names
web design • online games