Dave Ward's Revell/ICM 1/48 Dornier Do215B-5

[Dave Ward]

After an hour or so of stress-free assembly, this is the result. Just about ready for a prime, and basecoat of RLM 02.
One or two ejector pin marks, but I don't think they'll be visible when the fuselage is completed. There are several frames that fit in the bomb bay area & a large fuel tank etc. - none of which will be seen - but I think the frames will add strength to thie fuselage/wing joint, the bomb racks & fuel tank, I'll leave out.
There are decals for the instrument panel, but the detail is such that I probably will be better off painting - rather than getting decals to sit down over all those lumps & bumps.
Dave

[Dave Ward]

After the basecoat of RLM 02, I've detail painted some panels etc. I'll do a wash, and a dry brush to make it lived in....................

Mustn't forget the instrument panel!
Dave

[john i am]

Watching intently as I have this kit burried in my stash in one of many unlabelled cardboard boxes 144 miles away. We are relocating soon. Kit looks nicely detailed and the aftermarket parts will really make it "pop." Look forward to further updates. Good luck Dave.
Cheers John

[Dave Ward]

One thing that is missing, which needs addressing is the lack of seat belts. The pilot's seat needs a harness, otherwise it'll look bare. I'll have a look for some PE belts, but otherwise masking tape
Dave

[papa 695]

Very nice work so far Dave

[Dave Ward]

Ready to close up the fuselage - detail painted, washes etc etc

Next will be the wing assembly. The engine nacelles are separate assemblies, and can be 90% finished before adding to the wings.
Temperature has just hit 25C, so I think that will be it until evening. When I was detail painting, the paint on my palette was drying up much too quickly...
Dave

[Dave Ward]

On YouTube - a review of the ICM Do 217N-1 in 1/48 Flory Review - a later purpose built nightfighter - the 215B-5 was a conversion of a bomber.
Phil Flory said that the 1/48 Mig-25 was his 'kit of the year' in 2018 - I would go further, and say it is the best aircraft model I have made ( yet ). ICM have really come up to the mark, and their wide range of models & scales always makes an interesting website ( & Facebook page )
Dave
( no - I'm not on commission! )

[Dave Ward]

Fuselage closed up - those frames do really stiffen up the fuselage
The seams need a little attention, but the fit is pretty good.
The wing is assembled - all of 5 parts - quite large!

One thing that you have to watch out for - there are wingtip lights - which look remarkably like sprue attachment points, and I nearly trimmed them off!
Temperatures are rising here, and my enthusiasm for benchtime is inversely proportional!
Maybe continue in the evening...........
Dave

[Dave Ward]

I added the wings & tail assemblies yesterday - lust a little fettling here & there. Primed the joints this morning, to see if there are any major faults...................

Not bad ( the slot behind the bomb bay is for a 'towel rail' antennae ) - I'll put this aside for the moment - engines & nacelles next.

You put all of these into a box, add a few squirts of glue..............................
Close the lid, and shake gently. Repeat this, and you should end up with these!


Since I'm making this with the cowls closed, I wouldn't bother, but for the need to have the propeller shaft, and somewhere to attach the exhausts! With a bit of wiring & piping, who would need AM parts for these?
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Engine nacelles complete - apart from mudguard, wheels & exhaust

These are fiddly & complicated assemblies - not really helped by rather vague instructions ( both Revell and ICM ). Even though they look the same, there are differences, and if you get it wrong, they won't fit the the wings properly. ( yes, I got it wrong, first time )
The fit could be better - there are quite a few parts to fit between the nacelle halves, resulting in a few gaps that need filler. They're in easily accessible places, so no real problems. All I can say is study the instructions, study the parts - then dry fit, before committing the cement!
Next, I'll prime the undercarriage bays, before spraying RLM 02. The wheels & other bits, I'll add later in the assembly
Dave

[flyjoe180]

Coming along nicely Dave

[papa 695]

Nice work so far Dave.

[Dave Ward]

Ouch! - had a slight accident, managed to sprain my wrist yesterday, trying to stop a fall. Nothing too bad, but swollen & painful to move! Ice packs & paracetamol helping, but doing things with one hand is tricky. - Ever tried to tie a shoe lace with one hand? - especially when it's your strong hand that's not working properly! I don't think I'll be back at the bench for a few days. Just as well I can type with my left hand................
Dave

[yak face]

Take it easy dave , plenty of time left yet , get yourself better , cheers tony

[stillp]

Ouch! Are you sure it's a sprain? I did something similar a few years ago, drove home (100 miles), went to A & E for some stronger painkillers and found I'd fractured the head of my radius. 6 weeks off work though, so not all bad.
Pete