1/18 Ho-229 Project Build ( Retired ) !!

[normandy]

Pickelhaube, here are some reference photos I found on line......... http://www.flickr.com/photos/publicreso ... 493962634/
I've never seen them till now, they might help.

[pickelhaube]

The wheel bay still needs some work but at least I have something to show. The fun part ran out on this part of the build.

It will come back when I start the cockpit .

[normandy]

Matthew, once again just outstanding. This is now becoming more a piece sculpture rather than a model. I think this will be one of your best customs yet!

[Jnewboy]

After you sell 40 or 50 of these things you should sell the molds to BBi for 30 grand!

[gburch]

This thread is like getting to watch Mozart write a symphony, Michaelangelo sculpt or Elon Musk build a rocket. A little intimidating for us mere mortals, but a privilege nonetheless ...

[flyboy_fx]

No, watching Mozart write song is like watching PH build a plane. xD

[Sabrefan]

Great work as usual. That thing sure had a HUGE front tire. Kind of goofy but cool.

[pickelhaube]

This thread is like getting to watch Mozart write a symphony, Michaelangelo sculpt or Elon Musk build a rocket. A little intimidating for us mere mortals, but a privilege nonetheless ...

This is a very nice thing to say. Hopefully I will match the expectations to this project.

I almost have the cockpit done. I am missing a couple of little details and the dash . I intend to work late on this tonight and get it done.

I have made the seat wider than scale so you can get a figure in there !!

But there is a bar that goes across the cockpit that the dash sits on. The figure's feet could be a issue like any other XD plane.

[NWarty]

Matthew,
Dumb question...say I would like to pick up the 229 kit in the future. How long do you plan to produce these?

Beautiful work my man!

[pickelhaube]

Matthew,
Dumb question...say I would like to pick up the 229 kit in the future. How long do you plan to produce these?

Beautiful work my man!

Thanks guys for all the positive feedback !!


I am still making the P-36 and the moulds are about 3 years old. So hopefully for a long time to come.

I did not finish but I have some thing to show.





Mr. Angry wondering why it is taking so long.





The knee knocking bar is the bottom of were the dash will be .

[Bar]

Beautiful work.
The pilot looks like he's in pain though!!

[flyboy_fx]

He's angry because he's been crammed into tubes called a cockpit.... :O
That's insane! That thing looks so cramped you might have to build the plane around the figure. WW2 german pilots where crazy.

[sdcc73]

Seeing the fine attention to detail got me wondering. How will the fine details that is panel linings, look like? There seems to be many differing Horten pics + models = some with seemingly no panel lines, others with a lot of panel lines. I like this fine model to match well with existing 1:18 a.c., so personally, I'd love to be able to see the panel lining further this masterpiece. Can anyone post pics on what would be thee best guide for panel lines?

[pickelhaube]

There was not a lot of panel lines on the Horten. The skin of the wings and center section were made of plywood. Screwed down taped over and sanded smooth.

The leading edges of the wings will have panel lines. That is were the fuel tanks were placed. The engine nacelles also had fairing lines around them. As well as the sheet metal in the jet exhaust area.

Mine will have all these as well. The drawings I am using have all of these plotted out. That makes it a lot easier.

This is the book.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images ... 55&s=books

[tko211]

Looking great! My favorite part? SEEING WORKING LANDING GEAR!

[normandy]

Pickel, would this be an alternative to the cramped leg issue?


Its from the 1:1 mock-up of the Ho-229, Nat. Geo's "Hitlers Stealth Fighter" Here's the link.........
http://ho229-cockpit.blogspot.com/

[pickelhaube]

Those were some good looking references. I wonder about the seat. It has cut outs all along the side.

Of all the references I have none of them have any pics of the " real " seat .

Here is what I am going with for the dash. I spent almost a full day slicing and dicing the Me-262 dash and I was not happy the way it turned out. So I made this from scratch. I will make it so the dial faces will pop in from back like a typical 21st panel.




It looks pretty close to this

[aae83]

Making great progress, pickel: I love Mr. Angry in the seat - he's perfect. You have an awesome talent!

If you follow Gary's blog regarding the 1:1 seat, he mentions having left the sheet metal off the sides of the seat to speed up his progress.

[flyboy_fx]

PH, that dash is wrong. The size of the screws holding in the instruments should be .05mm in 1/18 and the dial on the top left is precisely .001mm too far left. Please fix these, thank you.


JkJK Great wokr!!!

[Snake Man]

Making great progress, pickel: I love Mr. Angry in the seat - he's perfect.
.

I don't think he's angry..... Just constipated, or maybe angry BECAUSE he's constipated !!

[pickelhaube]

Today was the most fun. I fitted the cockpit into the frame. I few minor nips and tucks and it fit right in ! How does that happen ?

Mr . Angry does not see the fun in anything.







Intrament panel.

[gburch]

a.m.a.z.i.n.g!

I know how terrible it is to ask ... but I can't help it ... Do you have any idea when you might be pouring kits?

[CW4USARMY]

Hey Pickelhaube, for those of us getting a full build, If we send you the pilot, can you put it in? I sure dont want to mess with it after you build it! or do you think it will be easy enough for us even with the full build?

[snake]

Looking great so far Matthew.

I am in on the full build[ hopefully], and would prefer no screw holes. If you do go with the screws any way you could make some small rubber plugs to cover them, and let us know what paint to use on them, and any "touch ups" that may be needed if these are removed.

This is a fantastic project, PH, and your work is a sight to behold.

[pickelhaube]

Hey Pickelhaube, for those of us getting a full build, If we send you the pilot, can you put it in? I sure dont want to mess with it after you build it! or do you think it will be easy enough for us even with the full build?

That is a good question. I made the seat about 1/4 inch bigger than scale to make sure I could get a figure in there. The cage/frame is slammed tight next to the seat.
I could not drop the figure into the cockpit
I had to snake him into the seat and them move him into position. From the bottom.

I could be that that the main wing section needs to be permanently removable.

But to answer your question SURE

I have at least a full week left before I reach the moulding stage. The moulds will be about another week.

So probably about 2 weeks with fingers crossed.

I was kind of hoping to be a little farther along than I am now. But things never go the way I plan.

If you guys like what you are seeing so far , I am now accepting a secondary installment .
That way when production starts it will not be such a big note for some of you.

Again I am now accepting a secondary installment $50-$ $100 will be fine.