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PROMODELER 1:72 DO 335A-1 PFEIL |
Reviewer:
Michael Johnson (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted:
8 June 2003
As the Second World War in Europe drew to a close, a powerful new twin-engined fighter was preparing to enter service with the Luftwaffe. The unique configuration of this aircraft conferred on it a phenomenal performance, which completely eclipsed all of its contemporaries; whilst its potential for devastating the massive Allied bomber streams that almost daily pounded the Reich was rivalled only by the Me262 jet. This amazing machine was the piston-engined Dornier Do335.
Aircraft designers are constantly seeking to maximize engine power and minimize drag. The increased power resulting from the adoption of a twin-engined layout, is normally partially offset by the increased drag and reduced manoeuvrability of an orthodox wing-mounted arrangement. An alternative arrangement, with the two engines mounted fore-and-aft in tandem is known as centre-line thrust. With the power from both engines being delivered along the aircraft centre-line, the obvious benefits of this layout include reduced frontal area, an aerodynamically clean wing and the elimination of the asymmetry problems associated with engine failure.
The Dornier Do335 was a bold attempt to embody the centre-line thrust concept in a practical and efficient airframe. Its unique layout featured a conventional nose mounted engine and tractor airscrew, together with a second engine located in the rear fuselage, driving a pusher propeller situated aft of the tail unit.
In May 1942 Dornier submitted a refined version of his P.231 design in response to a Technische Amt requirement for a single seat high speed bomber. The Dornier proposal was selected as the winner after beating rival designs from Arado and Junkers. Despite official resistance to the unconventional layout, a development contract was awarded under the RLM designation Do335.
Aside from its unusual engine layout, the design incorporated several other unusual features. These included a reversible-pitch tractor airscrew, to shorten the rather long landing run; a wing leading edge de-icing system; hydraulically operated flaps; a tunnel radiator for the rear engine and a compressed air powered ejection seat. The latter being essential for a safe bale-out clear of the rear propeller, although the vertical tail and propeller could be jettisoned by explosive bolts when required.
In late 1944, the Do335A-1 superseded the A-0 on the production line. This was the initial production model, similar to the A-0 but with the up-rated DB603E-1 engines and two underwing hard points for additional bombs or drop tanks. Delivery commenced in January 1945.
Capable of a maximum speed of 474 mph at 21,325 ft with MW 50 boost, or 426 mph without boost, and able to climb to 26,250 ft in only 14.5 minutes, the Do335A-1 could easily outpace any Allied fighters it encountered. It could also carry a bomb load of 1100 lb for 900 miles.
Although given the nickname 'Pfeil' (arrow) by Dornier test pilots, on account of its speed, service pilots quickly dubbed it 'Ameisenbaer' (ant- eater) because of its long nose.
Plagued by mechanical unreliability and lack of aviation fuel, the operational career of the Do335 is rather obscure. Do335A-0 and A-1 aircraft are thought to have flown a number of operational missions with EK335. Some were also used by III/KG2 in the Spring of 1945. There is no evidence of the type being met in combat, so it seems likely that all the operations were high speed interdiction missions - many taking place at night.
Technically innovative, heavily armed, and possessing a performance which no other piston-engined aircraft has ever achieved or surpassed, the Do335 possessed great potential as a combat aircraft, but never got the chance to prove itself. Delayed by high ranking indecision and Allied bombing raids, it simply ran out of time.
© Michael Johnson 2003
A sentimental pre-amble if I may indulge myself. This particular kit established the wonderful friendship that I have with my Los Angeles based friend, Michael Lee Smith. We exchanged emails regarding this kit and it’s Monogram predecessor after I responded to Mike’s request for info and better decals for his kit on the rec.models.scale newsgroup. Our friendship has grown stronger over the years and he proved to be a wonderful guide to all the best that LA had to offer whilst I was over there 2 years ago. Thanks mate!
This kit is the Pro-Modeller release of the old Monogram Dornier Do335 kit which, prior to the superb Tamiya release, was the only choice in town in quarter scale. Included within the kit are Scalemaster “inviclear” decals and an etched brass fret. The etched brass set provides seat harness buckles, cockpit details, a crew ladder and even mud scrapers for the undercarriage wheels!
Pro-Modellers instruction sheets are more like booklets, providing black and white photo’s of the subject aircraft and clear, concise assembly details.
The kit offers the modeller two Do335 variants, an interceptor version and the two seat trainer version. (Pro-Modeller incorrectly calls this a night fighter version, even providing radar arrays for the wings). I decided at the onset to do the interceptor.
Construction (as always) started in the cockpit.. The instrument panels were painted Aeromaster RLM 66 with dials picked out in black, subsequent dry brushing with white really lifted the details. Base colour for the rest of the cockpit and ejector seat was also RLM66. Yes ejector seat!! The cockpit tub complete with etched brass was painted and suitably detailed, dry brushed and set aside whilst I assembled and painted the ejector seat. I abandoned attempts to use the provided buckles, replacing them with an Eduard etched set.
A quick dry fit ensured the completed cockpit tub fitted well so it was then cemented into place and the fuselage sides joined together. The fuselage also includes moulded in engine details so, the panels were assembled shut and filler/sanding was required to smooth out all seams.
The pre-assembled wings were added to the fuselage along with the tailplanes. The wings and tailplanes attached to the fuselage fairly well, with small amounts of filler required, smoothed over with the nail polish remover dipped ear bud. This is a fantastic way to fill gaps in areas such as wing roots or hard to access areas. I apply the filler as normal, leave it to cure for 5 minutes and then run an ear bud dipped in nail polish remover (make sure the remover is of the acetone type) along the filler. The moist ear bud softens and smooths the filler into place perfectly, removing any excess in the process. Once dry the whole process can repeated if required.
The canopy was polished with Tamiya plastic polish and brush painted with Johnson’s Super Stride inside and out to improve clarity. Once the Future had cured, Tamiya masking tape was used to mask the canopy and it was then tacked in place to both mask the cockpit and paint the frames at the same time.
Pro-Modeller provide two different schemes within the kit. I chose the interceptor version which was finished in an overall splinter scheme of RLM 81/71 over RLM 65. I sprayed the underside first using Tamiya RLM 65, Luftwaffe Blue and once this had dried, masked the undersides off and sprayed Aeromaster RLM 81 Brauviolet. Masking of the RLM 81 areas was then done and the RLM 71 Dark Green was added. Nice and quick!
While the airframe was drying I painted the fore and aft spinner covers and propellers Aeromaster Black Green, undercarriage legs and bay door insides RLM 02 and assembled them for later.
Once all the paint on the airframe had cured, I sprayed two light coats of Aeromaster Gloss Clear, to seal everything in and preparing the surface for the application of the decals.
Applying the decals was straightforward and they settled wonderfully onto the model with no silvering at all. I used Aeromaster Sol II decal solvent to help bed them all down with no adverse reactions. Once the decals had dried, the fuselage was washed very carefully with a damp cloth to remove any glue and solvent residue and the decals where then sealed in with yet another coat of Gloss Clear.
My favourite part of building a model kit would have to be weathering. I used Citadel Brown Ink to enhance the few recessed panel lines. Any overspill was wiped away using a moistened cotton bud. Exhaust staining was applied using powdered pastels, a mix of dark grey and black, with a touch of brown.
Once again the model was put aside to cure and finally sprayed with Aeromaster Flat Clear, to give an all over flat finish.
The undercarriage, propellers were then added. I then removed the masked canopy that had been tacked into place earlier and re-positioned it open.
© Michael Johnson 2003
The Do335 is certainly an large and imposing aircraft that would have posed a serious threat to all allied aircraft, fighters and bombers alike, if it had been placed into full scale production.
For an old ‘70’s kit, it builds very well indeed, however the newer but expensive Tamiya version is the only game in town now and deservedly so. All that said, get hold of this kit and build one, satisfaction guaranteed.
I built this kit nearly 4 years ago now and it is still the most important kit on my shelf if only due to the fact it started a lasting friendship with a great bloke.
© Michael Johnson 2003
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