Mini GB: Heinkel He 177 A-3
Project
65 images
Comments
47 | 29. August 2020, 09:09
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Treehugger
How are the clear parts, are you happy with them, and are the panel lines ok you think? I've been wondering about getting this kit, but perhaps a little too large for me.
How are the clear parts, are you happy with them, and are the panel lines ok you think? I've been wondering about getting this kit, but perhaps a little too large for me.
29. August 2020, 09:45

BAT21
Clear parts are very bad - need some aftermarket replacement. The rest looks ok.
Clear parts are very bad - need some aftermarket replacement. The rest looks ok.
29. August 2020, 11:47

Treehugger
How are they bad? Just curious.
I've invested in a few vacuum canopies for this or that kit but so far haven't plunged into it and tried to work with vacuum canopies yet.
How are they bad? Just curious.
I've invested in a few vacuum canopies for this or that kit but so far haven't plunged into it and tried to work with vacuum canopies yet.
29. August 2020, 13:09

BAT21
The clear parts are very thick and not realy clear. One part is milky and it looks like a fingerprint casted in.
The clear parts are very thick and not realy clear. One part is milky and it looks like a fingerprint casted in.
29. August 2020, 13:49

David Taylor
Do you think it is any better than the Airfix kit.I made this kit when I was a teenager{distant memories}.
Do you think it is any better than the Airfix kit.I made this kit when I was a teenager{distant memories}.
11. September 2020, 15:36

Rui S
I have the old airfix kit, (already started ages ago), so I'm looking forward to see how you finish this
Your Cockpit and interior came out excellent
I have the old airfix kit, (already started ages ago), so I'm looking forward to see how you finish this
Your Cockpit and interior came out excellent
16. September 2020, 20:17

Alec K
Wondering if you are doing other modifications besides the ailerons to backdate the A-5 to A-3?
Wondering if you are doing other modifications besides the ailerons to backdate the A-5 to A-3?
27. September 2020, 23:44

Alec K
I am not really sure, was just wondering what you came up with. I had the He 177 build on my radar for quite some time and this miniGB has whetted my appetite
I started to look into whether I can build the A-5 with the black undersides. The AirDoc title has a nice "black" profile of 6N+HP of 6./KG 100 with a corresponding photo on page 33. That the 6N+HP was an A-5 is corroborated by both the Warpaint #33 title (page 18) and Classic He 177 (page 201) titles (see my He 177 project for more info on these books).
In the process of verifying this, I am trying to understand how the A-5 version differed from the A-3. Thus far I was unable to find any scale drawings that would authoritatively help identify the differences. The https://military.wikireading.ru/14353 source has profile drawings of the said versions, but no wing detail. On page 181 of the Classic He 177 title is the following description of the A-5 version:
Designed primarily to carry external loads, such as the LT 50 torpedo and the Fritz-X and Hs 293 missiles. Based on the A-3 but with a further strengthened wing, shortened undercarriage oleo legs, cable instead of servo controls, and armour plate on the underside of nose removed and replaced by Plexiglas to improve forward visibility. The Fowler flaps along the outboard wing sections were also removed.
Based on that, I would say that modifying the A-5 into A-3 would involve the following:
1. Removal of any fuselage/wing mountings for the LT 50 torpedo, Fritz-X, or Hs 293 if present.
2. Strengthened wing (thus far I was unable to find whether this affect the wing appearance in any way).
3. Modifying the undercarriage (thus far I was unable to find any details how exactly the two differed).
4. Simulate armour plate on the underside of nose (I would guess that painting the clear part will do just that)
5. Remove Fowler flaps along the outboard wing sections (presumably the ailerons from AIMS accomplish just that).
6. Strengthened wing (thus far I was unable to find whether this affect the wing appearance in any way).
All this said, I must admit that my cursory study of the photographs left me more confused that wise. For example: many photos tagged as A-5 version show the bottom section of the nose armored (or were they just overpainted?). The 6N+HN tagged as A-5 in the AirDoc title (page 32) shows the AIMS-style ailerons (were these not on the A-3 only?). And on and on.
My apologies if I am going too deep into this, but I tend to get little over-interested in the accuracy when I should be building
Certainly no matter what you do, the model will surely be magnificent . Cheers.
I am not really sure, was just wondering what you came up with. I had the He 177 build on my radar for quite some time and this miniGB has whetted my appetite
I started to look into whether I can build the A-5 with the black undersides. The AirDoc title has a nice "black" profile of 6N+HP of 6./KG 100 with a corresponding photo on page 33. That the 6N+HP was an A-5 is corroborated by both the Warpaint #33 title (page 18) and Classic He 177 (page 201) titles (see my He 177 project for more info on these books).
In the process of verifying this, I am trying to understand how the A-5 version differed from the A-3. Thus far I was unable to find any scale drawings that would authoritatively help identify the differences. The https://military.wikireading.ru/14353 source has profile drawings of the said versions, but no wing detail. On page 181 of the Classic He 177 title is the following description of the A-5 version:
Designed primarily to carry external loads, such as the LT 50 torpedo and the Fritz-X and Hs 293 missiles. Based on the A-3 but with a further strengthened wing, shortened undercarriage oleo legs, cable instead of servo controls, and armour plate on the underside of nose removed and replaced by Plexiglas to improve forward visibility. The Fowler flaps along the outboard wing sections were also removed.
Based on that, I would say that modifying the A-5 into A-3 would involve the following:
1. Removal of any fuselage/wing mountings for the LT 50 torpedo, Fritz-X, or Hs 293 if present.
2. Strengthened wing (thus far I was unable to find whether this affect the wing appearance in any way).
3. Modifying the undercarriage (thus far I was unable to find any details how exactly the two differed).
4. Simulate armour plate on the underside of nose (I would guess that painting the clear part will do just that)
5. Remove Fowler flaps along the outboard wing sections (presumably the ailerons from AIMS accomplish just that).
6. Strengthened wing (thus far I was unable to find whether this affect the wing appearance in any way).
All this said, I must admit that my cursory study of the photographs left me more confused that wise. For example: many photos tagged as A-5 version show the bottom section of the nose armored (or were they just overpainted?). The 6N+HN tagged as A-5 in the AirDoc title (page 32) shows the AIMS-style ailerons (were these not on the A-3 only?). And on and on.
My apologies if I am going too deep into this, but I tend to get little over-interested in the accuracy when I should be building
29. September 2020, 15:34

Daniel Klink
Great Alec and yes there is much confusion around the 177
I recently found out that the A6/R1 Testmachines weren't former A5 but late A3's instead.
So my Build is a total What if...
Great Alec and yes there is much confusion around the 177
I recently found out that the A6/R1 Testmachines weren't former A5 but late A3's instead.
So my Build is a total What if...
29. September 2020, 17:59

Alec K
Yes, it looks like the late A-3s and A-5s were very similar. I just started to read the Classic book so hopefully there is some more detail about this.
Yes, it looks like the late A-3s and A-5s were very similar. I just started to read the Classic book so hopefully there is some more detail about this.
29. September 2020, 19:43

OttovonLindberg
I have two of those Revell A-5 kits, am looking forward to how you address the canopy problems
I have two of those Revell A-5 kits, am looking forward to how you address the canopy problems
28. October 2020, 01:10

BAT21
Will try Plan B - combining middle part from Revell with front part from Squadron... fingers crossed!
Will try Plan B - combining middle part from Revell with front part from Squadron... fingers crossed!
28. October 2020, 09:04

Matthew A
Did the A-5 add the toilet in the nav's seat or was it already in the A-3
Did the A-5 add the toilet in the nav's seat or was it already in the A-3
25. November 2020, 16:50

Alec K
Looks really great. May I ask what Brengun set did the crew door came from?
Looks really great. May I ask what Brengun set did the crew door came from?
3. December 2020, 12:50

BAT21
Many thanks... only a few parts need to be glued in place - then we have a finished Heinkel.
Many thanks... only a few parts need to be glued in place - then we have a finished Heinkel.
11. December 2020, 08:43

Cuajete
Fantastic job and very nice decoration. Congrats!
Is this decoration only available on the AIMS decals?
Fantastic job and very nice decoration. Congrats!
Is this decoration only available on the AIMS decals?
12. December 2020, 19:01

BAT21
Thanks mates.
As far as i know are the AIMS decals the only available decals with this marking at this moment.
Thanks mates.
As far as i know are the AIMS decals the only available decals with this marking at this moment.
12. December 2020, 20:31

Daniel Klink
Brilliant result and Wonderful presentation, Jens
I'll have to admit yours looking much more spectacular than mine respect mate.
You nearly can't do it any better with this kit.
Brilliant result and Wonderful presentation, Jens
I'll have to admit yours looking much more spectacular than mine respect mate.
You nearly can't do it any better with this kit.
12. December 2020, 21:05

Neil Patrick
The best build of this kit I've seen. Fantastic building, painting and weathering. Still too scared to start mine.
The best build of this kit I've seen. Fantastic building, painting and weathering. Still too scared to start mine.
13. December 2020, 09:05

OttovonLindberg
BAT, this Revell boxing has night bomber markings as well German Veteran Aircraft (Revell 05714, 1:72)
Also, why did you combine the kit and Squadron canopies instead of just using the Squdron ones?
BAT, this Revell boxing has night bomber markings as well German Veteran Aircraft (Revell 05714, 1:72)
Also, why did you combine the kit and Squadron canopies instead of just using the Squdron ones?
13. December 2020, 16:06

BAT21
@Otto: Look at picture 21 - the gaps were to big, the fit between Revell and Squadron parts was not perfect but much better.
@Otto: Look at picture 21 - the gaps were to big, the fit between Revell and Squadron parts was not perfect but much better.
13. December 2020, 20:16