Zoukei-Mura's "Wood grain" Prototype Ho-229
This is the final photo before I added the gun muzzels, and what follows is basically how the whole beast went together. 🙂
This is the promotional material that Zoukei-Mura have used my Ho-229 in and given me the credits for. 🙂
I bought a second model after realising that one would not be enough.
On opening the instructions, you are greeted with this. ! Immediatly, you know that this will be a build like no other, even though I looked at all the parts before assembly, I was in for a big treat. !!!
Every part of this model is extremly detailed. The quality of all the pieces is truly astounding and so precise, and these engine components build in sequence, disk by disk to complete the whole first compressor stage of the Jumbo engine.
The next stage after completing this is the compressor housing with all the stationary blades.
Again, one piece at a time and all the time, dry fitting the compressor shaft to make sure all clearances are achieved.
This is the end result, as all stationary blades are in place and the other half is now built in exactly the same way to complete the outer casing.
All the major components are cleaned up and readied for painting and final assembly.
As I was building this stage, I got to thinking of how sad it is that all this work in the internals will not be seen ever again, so I decided to open up the engine to full view.
The "Plumbing" is so delicate, and was extremly fragile to handle, so great care was exercised in it's assembly.
Pipes, Pipes, and MORE pipes LOL. But all these tiny pieces fit perfectly.
By leaving off the other half of the compressor stage housing, I was able to make a "Bird's nest" of the hydraulic and fuel lines that was "suspended" over the compressor blades.
I also cut away a large section of the rear of the engine so that the fuel pump shaft could be installed, and the rear end could also be visible through the clear engine cowlings.
I was happy to see the whole assembly wanted to 'stay together' even though much of the support base was removed.
Now I moved on to the main central frame where the engins and guns would be housed.
When this model was being researched by ZM, the access to the genuine aircraft gave them the ability to gather so much info on the internal details of this most mysterious bird.
So, everything that was visible on the real aircraft has been faithfully reproduced in every piece of this model.
This is where the cannons and the front of both engines will protrude from, so the alignment had to be exact.
All the linkages used by the pilot to control flaps, landing gear and engine controls had to be carefully but exactly assembled in the correct positions.
The ZM research and development team missed NOTHING in their quest for "authenticity".
The central main frame of this aircraft was all found here, as the rest of the structure comprised mostly of wood.
This is where the 'anchor' pins locate to fasten the wing to the main fuselage.
A most delicate group of linkage systems are here, and it has to be the most complex model I have ever built.
Hydraulic rams, pivot points, rods, connectors and engine mounting points, they are all here. !!!
Please note, I have painted nothing before the main assembly, as paint would have to be scraped from every join, and this would definetly ruin much of the fine detail.
Work this lot out mate. LOL !!!
The cockpit is now being built here, and the Horten 229 had an ejection seat too. ! :-/
The twin 20/30mm cannone.
Now the upper half of the frame goes on.
At this stage, the dry fitting of the engines is done to make sure there will be no surprises later on when they are meant to go in.
The ejector seat "Rails" are now placed in the forward section of the main frame.
The main windshield frame and instrument pannel support with all seam lines removed.
Cockpit canopy frame had a lot of small seam lines from the moulding process, and these have all been cleaned away.
The ejection seat frame with instruments and switch pannels, and rudder pedals
Wheel rims were painted Magnesium buffing metalizer.
Main wheel struts and brake lines.
The red tipped levers here are, top left, Throttles, bellow the throttles the flap control. Right side top, undercarrage lever, below that are the ejection seat activation levers.
The fuel pump switch and gauge is on the left hand bulkhead
The joy stick is the last item to be added, then the instruments and windshield frame.
The decals of the instruments will be applied to the back of this clear part after the face has been painted matt black, then the masking gel is removed before the decals are applied so you can align them through the clear faces of the dials.
Here I have used some chrome strip foil tape to replicate the compression oleio strut.
Chrome strips were also added to the main langing gear oleio struts as well and painted the brake lines.
The finished central fuselage, and now the fitting of the outer pannels with the wood grain covered sections.
Te "Sectioned" engine can be seen on the right side.
The bulk of the starboard engine will be visible through the clear engine covers.
The 'cut away' engine is seen here.
The dry fitting of the nose cone to make sure all fits where it should.
The clear wing skins before they will be painted the desired colour that will help acentuate the decal "Grain".
The framing is actually wood in the real aircraft, as metal, especially aluminium was hard to aquire, due to the fact that it was being used by the manufacturers of the fighter aircraft to replace the destroyed ones.
The "Tanks" were made of rubber coated wood boxes, again, due to the lack of all metals.
Once all the wing internal framing and fuel tanks were built, the transparent skin was applied.
All skinned and ready for the paint that will help make the translucent decals produce the warm look of ply wood panneling.
There were six sheets of various types of "Grain" that varied slightly in colour and to make the wing look like the composit patch work look, I used a different coloured and textured decal for each pannel section.
Six beautiful sheets of the most amazing wood grain effect I could ever wish for.
The painting begins.The very first coat is of diluted "Radome" which created a soft 'creamy' look, and then over the top of that went a diluted coat of Tamiya clear acrylic yellow for the 'warmth' of wood colour that will come through the thin decals.
Here, I have cut the upper surface in two, this is so that I can display the interior if needed.
The wooden panels were used on all parts of the aircraft, by heating the ply wood in pressure shaping moulds, like fiberglass is done today.
I sectioned the upper wing surface to facilitate a full view if the section was removed for display.
The central main body skin with the stainless steel 'heat' shields before the wood grain decals are applied.
The diluted clear yellow was just what the doctor ordered.
I then ran a lead pencil along each pannel line so that i could see where to mark the tracing paper for making stencils of the shapes and sizes I needed to cut from the decal sheets.
The diluted Tamiya clear acrylic yellow is sprayed in a thin coat over the 'radome' colour.
The small triangle here was the very first "Test" piece, and as it looked exactly as I was hoping, I then proceeded to cut out all the stencil shapes I needed.
The "grain" is faint, but it can be seen and is not out of scale or perspective.
The main fuselage covers were next and there was an enormous amount of "cutting in" and trimming.
Each "Pannel" was traced onto artists 'tracing paper' then laid on the decal sheet, and the decal was then cut to shape
Pannel section by pannel was gradually covered with varying types and shades of 'grain', as this was what happens when there is no one pannel of ply wood that looks exactly the same as the one next to it.
The 'variety' of decals and grain made it easy to break the monotony of one type of wood used, and created a real checkerboard effect.
Each cordinating pannel on the opisite side was covered with exactly the same 'type' of grain
There were aluminium access/maintainance pannels all over the top of the main body and I had to cut the decal film away from them once the decal had been'anchored' in place.
These are the metal parts that had to be exposed to create a total effect.
The overall appearance is looking good, and the "composit" patchwork is exactly what I was aiming for.
There really was a lot of cutting of the most awkward shapes and sizes here, as there was still the stainless steel engine cowlings were still yet to be paint.
Building nicely.
The decal sheet stencil section before it is wet and slid into place, and as you can see, it has no real colour until it is on the model.
The left side is the decal you saw in the previous photo, and as I said, it has no colour or texture until it is on the painted section.
It was not an easy thing to do, to cut all these small shapes to size and then have them moved into the correct position.
When I saw this photo I took on my big computer monitor, I was so excited by the look that was happening.
A better look at the decals and the color and grain pattern.
The next step here is to trim away the decal from the 'access' pannel sections which are metalized.
The first stage of the "metalizing" of the model, and here i had to mask off with my favorite masking agent. Parrafilm"M".
Both wings, top and bottom sections are now finished.
The small "Overlap" is trimmed while the decal is still wet and soft, by running a scalpel blade along the 'pannel line' and gently lifting the excess away with the tip of a brush.
The belly pan is actually stainless steel on the genuine original aircraft.
The belly pannels are now finished and ready for the metal painting.
The undercarrage covers were steel frames with plywood pannels screwed and bolted to these frames.
Masking of the clear canopy sections was done using the Parafilm "M".
The film is first stretched and then laid over the clear part, with finger pressure to make it conform to the irregular shape and then a sharp blade is used to trim the excess away.
Here is the 'overlap' and this is trimmed away before it dries and stays in place.
An example of the excss I have cut away before it is removed and cleaned up.
Tedious, but worth every second of your time to get this effect.
The tracing paper with the stencil patterns I need for the required shapes to be cut and applied.
The major step of gluing the two halve's of the main fuselage together. Note the metal access panels have been 'metalized'.
The beginning of the finish.
This is one of the many images I sent to the President of Zoukei-Mura.
THE END !! 🙂
This image haunted me and when I got the pilot figure, it was all one lump of resin and there was no way I could have made the helmet look like this, so I decided to do something about it.
The pilot figure does NOT have a clear helmet, so I decided to cut the whole thing off and go from there.
I cut his helmet off and got a head from my spares box and started experimenting with some clear plastic sheet and a candle.
No vacuforming here, but "Push" forming. I mounted the helmet on a skewer and heated up the clear plastic over the candle flame and as the plastic softened, I pushed the helmet into the plastic and got this result after many tries.
Six or seven attempts were made as getting the shaped plastic off the helmet was tricky, and I damaged quite a few before I got one I was happy with.
As you can see, many tries and one success.
Using an artists paint pen, I will be able to draw the frame on the ones I have until I get one that has a clear and defined frame.
Finally, after much failure, I have now got a copy of the helmet that I can place over the head and make it look like it belongs there.
There will be the "Final clean up" to make sure the frame on the bottom of the helmet meets the shoulders of the figure. Then I will carefully draw the black frame.
The new helmet, and I will be 'finishing the whole figure off with the air hoses and chest belt.
The resin figure of the high atitude pilot and the rig he wore, but, the helmet was NOT clear, detracting from the appearance.
"Off with his head" screamed the queen of hearts. So I did. hehehehe 🙂
It was a 'clean' cut, with no clean up at all. 👍
I had seen "Vacuforming" in my career, but this presented a difficult proposition to answer, but, as with all modellers, a solution is never far away. 🙂
Just all the bits I am working with and the fix is next.
The clear plastic containers the figure and accessory parts from ZM were the perfect solution, as I had mounted the helmet on this knife, heated the plastic over a candle and then pushed the helmet into the soft plastic and let it cool.
I had done many tries at getting the result I wantd, as each attempt was a learning curve, but I eventually got a result I was happy with.
All up, I tried about 10 times to get a good one that would look like it was original. 🙂
Removing yet an other head, I was able to get one that fitted onto the torso and the helmet dropped over it with a good result
After 'gluing' the helmet in place with some clear paper glue, all that remained was to paint the 'raised' metal frame that held all the clear parts in place on the original.
I do like my effort, as it certainly looks a whole lot better than the solid resin figure, adding yet more 'depth' to the allready stunning detail that this model will become famous for.
All this research the Germans did with high atitude pressure suits was eventually something the Americans took with them at the end of the war and perfected it.
Comments
3 May 2015, 22:08
Kerry COXThank you Jamie. It is most encouraging to see comments like yours here. I always hope that what we all post here inspires everyone to do the best they can with each build.🙂
3 May 2015, 22:58
Jamie Andersonwell that is a amazing job you have done museum quality in my opinion
3 May 2015, 23:02
Kerry COXThe photos I originally posted here were the ones used by ZM in their promotional material that they asked me to send them for posting on the "old man's blog" on the ZM web site! I am still excited that the makers asked me for some pics. !! 🙂
3 May 2015, 23:47
Martien LourensExcellent work, Kerry.👍👍👍 A very good reference for my 1:72 Horton in wood look.
4 May 2015, 05:30
Ulf PetersenWhat an amazing masterpiece of modelling art, my friend! 😮 👍 👍 👍
IMHO it is absolutely comprehensible that ZM would like to take benefit from your work - I would do the same. 😉
4 May 2015, 05:49
Kerry COXGentlemen, Thank you all so much for your kind words.
As I said in the preamble , I am purely responding to those who have asked me in the nicest of ways to repost what I had before.
Even Alex from Uschi has asked me if he can post some images in an album on his web site too, so I am really feeling most honoured that my work has been noticed by the people who make these exquisite decals.
An honour indeed. ! 🙂
4 May 2015, 06:45
Leif AdamsHi! Just had to stop by again and look at it a little longer. Did I mention how nice this model aircraft is?
4 May 2015, 06:50
Kerry COXLeif, ((🙂)) lol, No, you never did mention how nice it was, but now that you have, I am so pleased you like it mate. LOL 🙂
Thanks for your compliments Leif, and I hope you understand my silly sense of humour mate. :-/
Cheers. 🙂
4 May 2015, 06:54
Soeren R.I hope you agreed to Alex 🙂, because he has also a big fanbase in the Asian-Pacific area 🙂
So you will be a scalebuilder star soon😉
4 May 2015, 07:19
Kerry COXI did agree Soeren, and Alex was most helpful earlier on when I bought the decals, advising me how to get the best results and what to do.🙂
4 May 2015, 07:42
Soeren R.Yeah he is a very nice guy. I also wrote with him about stuff I bought from him and he helped a lot😉
4 May 2015, 07:44
Günther DebiscopHey kerry, I just saw on FB that Ushi van der Rosten has shared some pictures of you 🙂
4 May 2015, 13:19
Kerry COXThanks to you all, and I am so proud to know that Alex and ZM have credited me the way they have. I never, for one second ever dreamed that a model I made would be what it has become.
I can honestly say now that I am the happiest guy in the world, but I must say, it was the most amazing quality of the ZM kit and Uschi's wood grain decals that deserves all these accolades, as I just did the best I could with what I had, and that's it.
ZM really have set a new standard in quality and purity of subject for the scale modelling enthusiasts all over the world and with the 1/48 scale kits that are due for release, the company can be assured of huge sales of their kits, that's for sure.
Thanks again everyone, I feel wonderful and complete. 🙂
4 May 2015, 15:00
Camilla ØksenholtThis is a real gem! Loving the different wood grains and the details!
4 May 2015, 15:23
Wim van der LuijtGreat model you have put together here. You have made Uschi really proud with this one
6 May 2015, 06:27
Kerry COXThank you both so very much for your kind words, I am thrilled.
Alex also asked me if he could put some of these images on his Uschi facebook page too, which I readily agreed too. 🙂 🙂
6 May 2015, 07:04
Soeren R.Kerry you can be indeed really proud about that kit, but now we want to see another masterpiece! Maybe another ZM kit like the He 219 or the J2M 🙂?
I must admit that I would really love to see a He 219 from you.... Could be another ZM website kit from you*g*
6 May 2015, 07:30
Kerry COXSoeren, Thank you very much for your compliments and encouragement my friend. 🙂
I am saving as many dollars as I can Soeren, and I am seriously looking at an other ZM kit mate, and now that you have suggested one of them, I will research it and I will let you know for sure. 🙂 Cheers. 😉
6 May 2015, 07:37
John ThomasHey Kerry, super work. The plywood looks so real. I saw on the web a program about the Horten Ho229. Were a team in the US built a full size mock-up to test the wing and steallth and a good thing the war ended as this would have been a very formidable aircraft.
6 May 2015, 17:31
Jan HazesExcellent work Kerry (as usual) !! The plywood finish is really appealing.
6 May 2015, 17:53
John ThomasKerry, the video I saw was from the National Geographic channel "Hitler's Stealth Fighter" worth a look.
6 May 2015, 18:26
Burkhard DOutstanding, Kerry. This is going to serve as the reference build that will probably never be topped by anyone.
6 May 2015, 19:02
Kerry COXGood Lord Burkhard, that is an astounding comment my friend and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for it.
I have been building models all my life and I have seen things that have left me in awe, especially Shep Payne's B-17G leaflet in the Monogram box of the same model, and that is where I started to get the ideas from that have kept me interested all these years, but to have your comment that my work will be in the same league as Shep is all one could ever hope to achieve in this hobby.
I am truly honoured by your sentiments.
Kerry COX 🙂
6 May 2015, 22:02
Bernhard SchrockIf anyone wants to build a model of the Ho-229, in my opinion you album is reference enough🙂 Outstanding work Kerry.
1 July 2015, 20:18
Kerry COXThanks guys, and I really am humbled by your comments and praise.
And, I am pleased to say here, that Alex Glass of Uschi has credited me with being the very first to use his wood grain decals on the Ho-229, and he only found out it had been done when Zoukei-Mura asked him to make the decal sets available for their future releases of the 229. !!
So, after all these years, I do have a claim to fame. LOL 🙂
Alex went to Japan recently to promote his products and received a great response, and he expressed his thanks to me for helping him launch his line to Japan as well. 🙂
I will be entering it in the upcoming QMHE in Brisbane this August, so wish me luck. 🙂
Thanks again. 🙂
1 July 2015, 21:01
Mathias CarlI´m still speechless by this piece of art.
I´ve shown it some comrades at the barracks... ...same to them.😉 😄
14 July 2015, 15:30
Kerry COXMat and Roberto, Thanks for your encouraging comments mates. 🙂 👍
It just seemed logical to do it in wood grain as from what history has told us about the Ho-229, it was originally skinned with 'ply wood' and the Yanks were the ones who painted it as you see it today, and I just love history.
google.com.au/url?sa..vm=bv.97653015,d.dGY
This is the guy responsible for my model looking the way it does. 🙂
14 July 2015, 20:07
Kerry COXKerber, I have looked through all your albums and I noticed you don't have a Ho-229 as yet ?
There are some wonderful 1/48 kits out now so, just get a decal pack from Uschi for it and make one you can be proud of too mate.🙂
It is really easy to use, and Uschi have tutorial video's on their website that will help you through the process, and, I can help with some support on what to do too if you like. 🙂
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment my friend. 🙂
15 July 2015, 10:54
KerberI have one in '72 scale, Revel (as Soeren too)l...and I'm planning it for work on Autumn...now, i have some work to finish, and also to clean my desk..(2x Ju.88 G, 2 Me109 and 3 FW190, plus one He219)... 😉 When I start work on my Ho229, Your kit would be my first reference...and i'll ask for all information...Thank You for Your offer of help , I will certainly keep in mind.
Cheers!
16 July 2015, 15:21
Colin PhillipsAmazing job, makes me wanna chuck the dragon 1/48 I built and start again. Love the wood grain decals
16 July 2015, 21:09
Gareth WindsorNice to see your modelling improve. You have clearly made an effort with this one………lol, wow Kerry, seriously this is fantastic. Now you have perfected the wood decaling I want to see you have a go at an old school, wood panelled station wagon.
17 July 2015, 09:44
Kerry COXGareth, that would be interesting. 🙂
I have seen one on the google.com.au/url?sa..vm=bv.98197061,d.dGY web site and he has made it look so fantastic. 🙂
17 July 2015, 10:04
Gareth Windsorwell I was messing about but the car in that link is something else.
17 July 2015, 11:00
Kerry COXYour suggestion is one I am going to take seriously Gareth, as my father had a 'woodie' well before they were called that in the 60's, and we went everywhere in it.
And I am now going to hunt one down, so, why don't we do one together mate. ???? 🙂
17 July 2015, 11:07
Gareth Windsorthat sounds like a wonderful idea and I would, but I am packing everything up! The F-14 might be my last build for a little while until I get settled in Canada. I have found a good model shop not far from where I am moving to, so maybe towards the end of the year I will take you up on the "Woodie" group build.
17 July 2015, 11:29
Kerry COXSo, what is getting you to move to Canada, besides it being part of the Commonwealth mate. ?😉
17 July 2015, 12:09
Gareth WindsorDo you want the long or the short version? The good lady is Canadian and has been itching to get back to Canada. I guess 12 years of British summers have finally taken their toll.
17 July 2015, 12:41
Kerry COXFair call too mate. 🙂
I spent a fair amount of time 'off shore' in my career and I was always so glad to be 'headed home', as there was never any place I really felt "settled".
Good luck with the move and all that gunk that goes with it mate.
Cheers. 🙂 👍
17 July 2015, 21:46
M.Julian MarlesGareth ....Welcome to Canada! The folks made the move back in 1976 but I still retained my UK Citizenship. What part of Canada are you moving to? 🙂
19 July 2015, 20:17
Lee FogelThese both look good. Saw the kits at rge IPMS Nats this weekend. Very quality models.
27 July 2015, 02:23
Jan vdMThat is by far the most impressiv Horten I have seen so far.
It´s a shame that I can´t aford that kit. I will build it in 1:72. Maybe I will be inspired by yours and it will be in wood as well.
27 July 2015, 07:03
Kerry COXJan, Thank you so much for your kind words, and I HAD to afford it when I saw it in the ZM web site. 🙂
The wood grain decals can be obtained from,
google.com.au/url?sa..vm=bv.98717601,d.dGY
27 July 2015, 07:05
Soeren R.Indeed Kerry's Ho 229 is probably one of THE best ZM kits around 😉 There has to be a reason why this kit was on the ZM homepage 😉
@ Jan
Even in 1/72 its a nice kit, but I would wait for kit from ZM, which they have kind of announced a few months back.
If not go for the Revell kit, which is also not TO bad 😉 and you still can get a not to bad kit out of it.
Horten Go 229 - Revell - - Finished | Album by Floppar (1:72)
27 July 2015, 12:46
Kerry COXSoeren, did you see the posts on the helmet I am doing for the pilot yet.?
I would really like you to take a look . 🙂
27 July 2015, 12:53
Soeren R.It looks really nice😉 That is something for what I like 1/32, because you can show so many little details😉
27 July 2015, 12:54
Jan vdM@Soeren: Maybe I will build both in 1:72, one in wood and one in camo. I allready saw your plane at modelbauecke 😉
27 July 2015, 12:57
Soeren R.Ahhh Mascharius 🙂 Ok then you can build my kit as soon as you will get it😉
27 July 2015, 12:59
Kerry COXJan, The Germans were the first to "pressurize" the flying suits of the pilots who had to fly at very high altitudes, this prevented toxins forming in the blood due to low oxygen levels, but this helmet was developed for the horten pilots.
27 July 2015, 13:02
Marcel KlemmerWhat superb build. It looks fantastic with the wood decals🙂
The pilot in his pressure suit looks a littel bit like captain Nemo 🙂
27 July 2015, 13:13
Kerry COXLOL, Marcel, Thanks for your comment and I never looked that hard at the pilot, but now that you mention it, your right. 🙂 👍
27 July 2015, 13:46
John ThomasHey Kerry, Great video and very nice work and man does wood decals look so real. The 400 hours shows.
1 January 2016, 13:06
Hanno KleineckeCongrats for the credits in ZM's promo material on this spectacular build of yours, Kerry ! Thanks for posting pics of the pilots helmet which I've never seen before and which remind me of the styles used in the Finnish movie "Iron Skies " , which saw while ago. I'm looking forward to the finished result on your pilot figure, no doubt it will be of the same top level as the bird itself.
1 January 2016, 14:46
Kerry COXJohn, Stephan and Hanno, Thank you all so much for your praise and comments, and I will be posting some images of the pilot, as I have actually finished the pilot figure, but I have had to do some heavy modifications to get the result.
I am sure you will like what I have done. 🙂
1 January 2016, 20:02
Kerry COXMiro, I do appreciate you looking in on my favourite child. 🙂
It took some time to do, but it was totally worth every second. 👍
18 January 2016, 20:36
Pierre Henry LaugierHow did you the wood job? Have you used some kind of wood template srencil?
27 January 2016, 12:41
Kerry COXThank you Antonio, Duri and Pierre for your kind words.🙂
The image of this model was used in the advertisements by Zoukie-mura to promote the wood grain decals I used that are now being made by Uschi van der Rosten for them.
It is the best model I have ever made. 🙂
28 January 2016, 09:38
Kerry COXI keep getting asked what sort of stencil I used for the wood effect, so I just had to post the pro mo pic. :-/
28 January 2016, 21:22
Kerry COXSpanjaard, Thank you for your kind words. 🙂
This is the model that got me back to normal. LOL 🙂 👍
5 April 2016, 09:12
Kerry COXI just thought I would add some imaged of my pilot. I hope you saw him. ? 🙂 👍
9 October 2016, 08:55
P JGlad this popped up on my feed today; a social media post said something about the V3 being restored/rebuilt in America and inspired me to read more about the Ho-229. Was going to come looking for your amazing build album Kerry, one of my favourites on this board! 👍
9 October 2016, 18:05
Album info
In the last few months, I have been encouraged by a number of members to repost the Horten 229 I did some time back, and as I did enjoy building it so much, and that it is currently being used by Zoukei-Mura in their promotional material, I will post an "Edited" version of basic images at various stages of the build.
Thank you for your encouragement to have the Horten reposted, it is indeed an honour to be recognised by my peers.