KIT COMMENT
FROG RELEASE NEW MODEL OF GLOSTER JAVELIN
Dornier Do.335 also available
PUSH AND PULL DORNIER
The Dornier D.335 has always been a model attractive to enthusiasts possibly because of its unconventional layout in having both a pusher and puller type engine arrangement. Several manufacturers have taken up the challenge and various versions have been produced in different scales over the years. Now Frog have added theirs in 1:72nd scale and at least we have an accurate one on which to work.
This latest release features two versions of the machine. Both are basically similar in outline though the Do. 335 A-6 was intended as the main night fighter version with radar aerials in the wing leading edges whilst the A-12 was the unarmed trainer.
The former did not enter service with the Luftwaffe as the box art makes pains to point out. On the other hand the A-12 did and one aircraft was brought to RAE Farnborough after the war for evaluation. It soon proved to be a 'hot ship' and although two aircraft eventually ended up in the hands of RAE test pilots, both pranged towards the end of their test periods. The alternative sheet of decals depicts one of these machines in British markings.
We chose to make up the night fighter version as this seemed the most attractive and would fit into a collection of Luftwaffe aircraft better than one with RAF roundels. It presented few problems in the construction though we did have some difficulty in getting the cockpit parts together properly. The seats and the fuselage halves join together to make up the cockpit interior and the fit was not too good. The instruction sheet was not clear on these points and we had to think about it for a few minutes before we realised what should happen. This is rather a pity as one can see through the canopies well enough and the interior of the cockpit looks very bleak indeed.
One other thing worthy of note is the inevitable reminder on nose-wheel undercarriaged aircraft about placing enough weight in the nose during the early stages of construction. We did not get enough in the right position and had to resort to poking some down under the cockpit coaming before the Do. 335 would assume its correct stance.
Much valuable information about this aircraft was gleaned from the January 1973 edition of Air Enthusiast. A complete cutaway drawing is given and pictures of the cockpit interior. Our own article on the machine in AN1/7 also gives a lot of interesting detail plus a closer look at the primitive ejector seat with which the Do.335 was equipped.
One thing that this information proved was that the kit was slightly inaccurate in providing flame damped exhausts for the A-12 trainer. Certainly the machine illustrated in the decal sheet did not have these fitted though the night fighter was probably intended to have them. The other minor point which ought to be illustrated is that the port wing leading edge landing light has been marked though not provided with a transparency. We did not make one but it can be done fairly easily by cutting off a piece from a clear plastic stand and shaping it to fit. The radar aerials look slightly 'lumpy' on the night fighter version but this is probably due to the restrictions of the mould. The horizontal aerials can be cut off and replaced by finely stretched sprue or tooth brush bristles to make them more accurate and in scale.
In all, this is a good kit with few minor faults. Its retail price is 65p
Aviation News Vol 3 Num 23 18 April - 1 May 1975
NEW AND IN VIEW
DORNIER 335
This unusual German fighter with an engine at each end has become popular in the last year with kits from Monogram in 1:48 scale and now Frog in 1:72.
The choice of this subject adds one of those dimensions to modelling that is always worthwhile, that is the inquisitiveness of the uninitiated on seeing the model for the first time. "Look, Mum, he's put the engines on wrong", "Oh, Arthur, did they really make aeroplanes like that?" and so on. For the serious collector however, this is another good release from the Margate Men who must have finally shot the rivet man, as none of their recent releases have shown the benefit (?) of his skills.
Comparison with photographs and drawings indicates that the overall outline is accurate but again the wheel doors are a little thick - the Germans just didn't have that amount of surplus alloy - and the cockpit interior is sparse to say the least.
Decals are for the Do 335A-12 flown at the RAE Farnborough in 1945 and the Do 335A-6 Night Fighter in markings it might have worn if it had achieved service status.
The general belief is that only one or two aircraft were completed but in a German Magazine 'Foto Review' - well worth the £1.40 is you can get it - there is a centre spread showing at least twelve aircraft in various states of 'repair' on the Dornier works airfield at Oberfaffenhofen. A good basis for the Branch Diorama competition? Review sample by courtesy of Rovex.
B.P.
The IPMS magazine, may/june 1975
Air Enthusiast 1975-07 vol.09 no.01
MODEL ENTHUSIAST
Another push-and-pull Dornier
It is not so long ago that we reviewed Monogram's 1/48th scale kit of the exotic Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) centre-line-thrust twin-engined fighter that would have made its operational debut had WW II lasted a few months longer in Europe. Now comes another kit of this unique Dornier, this time to 1/72nd scale and from Frog. A very nice kit of the two-seater, making up as either the Do 335A-6 FuG 217J Neptune-equipped night fighter with wing-mounted antennae, or as the Do 335 A-12 dual-control conversion trainer. Neither, in fact, achieved service, these being represented by the Do 335 VI0 prototype of the nocturnal variant and the Do 335 VI2 prototype of the instructional machine, although two production examples of the latter were completed and the RAF markings provided by Frog are applicable to the example of the trainer that was evaluated at the RAE, Farnborough.
Frog's 48-part kit is moulded in medium-grey plastic and is a most commendable effort, with finely-marked surface detailing and neatly-fitting parts. The two transparent canopies fit well and we particularly appreciated the moulding of the two small teardrop blisters for the rearview mirrors in the forward canopy. Cockpit interior detail is sparse but a floor is provided for the forward cockpit (which also serves as a cover for the nosewheel well) which embodies some engraved detail. The exhaust manifolds in the kit are enclosed by a flame-damping tube, as was intended for the night fighter version, but this is incorrect for the trainer which had separate exhaust ports and these are difficult to simulate.
By dint of moulding the complete ailerons with the upper wing halves, it has been possible to keep the wing trailing edges quite thin, but these can still benefit from paring down fractionally. The undercarriage is neatly moulded, being delicately proportioned but still possessing adequate strength — weights to balance the heavyish cruciform tail should be added before the front annular radiator cowling is fitted. The decal sheet is understandably simple as, other than by going to the spurious, Frog had no units markings that it could apply, restricting itself, in consequence, to standard outline crosses and swastikas, plus RAF roundels superimposed on USAAF white bars as applied to the aircraft that ended its days at Farnborough. This kit is good value at its UK price of 65p.
— F J HENDERSON
Air Enthusiast 1975-07 vol.09 no.01
Dornier Do335A-6/A-12
| F235 | 1974-1977 | H(G) | 55000 | 1xLW&1xRAF |
FROG model aircraft 1932-1976, R. Lines, L. Hellstrom
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NEW to YOU?
A Brace of Dornier Do 335s
ALTHOUGH the Monogram 'Arrow' has been on sale for some time, we make no excuses for reviewing it again,and asthe 1/72nd Frog kit is on the point of release we can appraise them together. The Monogram kit is to 1/48th scale and has excellent detail in the cockpit and engine compartments. The model has optional parts to enable the builder to make both single and twin seat versions (we made the latter). The model looks to be extremely accurate missing only the subtle 'kink' in the leading edge of the wing and a small undercarriage door outboard of each leg. Cockpit canopies are impressive as is the overall general detailing and combined with a superb instruction sheet with details of diorama bases etc., makes a superb kit for £1.75p. It is distributed in the U.K. by A. A. Hales of Hinckley.
The Frog Do 335 is to 1/72nd scale of course and is simplified, there is no cockpit detail, and other detail is restricted to fine panel lines only (neatly done) on wings and fuselage. The model is of the two seat version, either as a nightfighter or trainer. Decals provide an assessed colour scheme fortheformerandaset of captured markings for a machine used by the RAE at Farn-borough after the war. It seems strange that Frog did not choose the single seat version which offers a wider scope for colour schemes. Price is 65p.
A. L. Bentley who drew the Tempest so well (S.M. Feb '73) is currently working on the Ikwow, with plans of all variants, armament and a cutaway for eventual publication, and will tie in more detailed appraisals of these two kits.
Scale Models, April 1975
NEW to YOU?
Frog Dornier 335 Night fighter/Trainer. Scale 1/72nd, price 65p.
FROG have followed the release of the excellent Monogram 1/48th scale version of the Do 335 with their own in the more popular 1/72nd scale, previously only covered by the old and rather scarce Lind-berg version which is, of course, the A-O/A-1 single seat type.
On comparison with our drawings, the Frog kit appears accurate in outline and general shape. Surface detail is good, although a little heavy, and parts fit neatly without much filing or filling and the undercarriage has been beefed Up considerably. It is a long one and a lot of nose weight is needed to get the three point attitude, and without this extra strength it would break easily, so we would accept this as an intelligent compromise.
By selecting the two seat version, Frog have left themselves with a problem in offering 'options', Monogram offer single or two seat versions in one kit, but as this needs several alterations in design Frog have opted for the A-10/A-12 two seat trainer which did fly and the Night Fighter V-10/B-6 version which was not completed. The decals, which, as usual with later Frog kits, are good quality, and provide markings for a Night fighter in a typical paint scheme which might have been used and the captured trainer flown at Farn-borough. This latter aircraft was finished in Dunkelgruns 81/82 and hellblau. Some research on this aircraft shows the following: Originally captured by American forces it was marked with US stars and bars over the Luftwaffe markings. The aircraft was airworthy but incomplete and it appears that a damaged cowling was replaced by an unpainted one from spares. Handed over to Farnborough the stars were over-painted with RAF roundels and roundels painted in the two wing positions bare of markings on USAF aircraft. Hence the markings became obliterated Luftwaffe crosses with roundels on starboard, upper and port lower wing, roundels with blue/ white bars in the other four positions and an RAF fin flash. The captured aircraft usually had a larger FE serial painted white or yellow on the fuselage but not apparently in this case according to photos taken at Farnborough. It is quite clear, though, that there are NO yellow outer rings on the roundels.
One final point. Frog have decided the night fighter should have shrouded exhausts, quite correctly, but the Trainer version had unshrouded exhausts so to be correct these should be replaced by two pairs of six stubs as in the Lindberg kit.
Scale Models, July 1975
Modelling world
James Goulding
New Frog kits
It is an indisputable fact that modellers in this country and America, and probably in other countries, have a fascination, and in some cases an obsession, about anything to do with the Third Reich. It is evident from most branches of modelling and wargaming - in aircraft, tanks, . ships, soldiers and battle scenes. Each' week the "wanted" columns of modelling magazines contain requests to purchase Nazi daggers, medals, badges, etc. Visit any exhibition of models and a high proportion of them will be of World War II German subjects.
The kit manufacturers have always noted this wide market and have maintained a constant supply of World War II German subjects to try to satisfy the demand. Not only have we had extensive coverage of the more famous Luftwaffe aircraft, but even the lesser known, little-used, and sometimes mediocre types are the subject of numerous kits — produced in the sure knowledge that anything with crosses and swastikas will be eagerly snapped up.
Suggest to a kit manufacturer that an Albemarle kit would be nice to have and you would probably be told that it didn't do enough during the war to justify being a kit subject. The Heinkel 162, on the other hand, which did nothing at all, has been the subject of two kits. The Heinkel 219 night fighter did very little (although potentially a good aeroplane) but it has been the subject of three 1/72 kits. The famous Vickers Wellington has been produced only once in 1/72 scale (although there will probably be more models in due course) whereas the Dornier Do 17 series have featured in four or five 1/72 kits.
The Dornier Do 335 was another of of those many unorthodox, but interesting, designs produced by the German aircraft industry towards the end of the war which came too late to play an active part. Although only produced in small numbers and not used in normal operations, it has been the subject, in single-seat form, of a 1/72 kit by Lindbergh and now, in two-seat layout, by Frog. The Do 335 was an attempt to obtain the benefits of twin-engined power in a single-engined layout in order to attain high performance, but the complicated engine installations and pusher rear propeller tend to outweigh the aerodynamic advantages. The rear propeller layout makes emergency escape hazardous, which necessitates adding further complications such as jettisonable components, although* the then-new, and rather primitive, ejector seat did help.
Frog's new Do 335 in 1/72 scale is a very fme model of the two-seat trainer or intended night-fighter variant, which is a good choice of subject in view of the reasonable Lindbergh single-seater. The new kit seems to be very accurate and is well-detailed. Surface engraving is excellent and the fit of parts is good. The kit includes parts for the Do 335 A-12 trainer or the A-6 radar-equipped night-fighter. The large wing-mounted aerials are included for the latter version.
Transfers are given for the A-12 flown by the RAE at Farnborough until destroyed in a crash. This aircraft was originally captured by the Americans, which accounts for the white bars either side of the roundels in the usual USAAF positions. The markings for the A-6 are theoretical, because this prototype was not flown before the end of the war. The crosses and swastikas are correct for other Do 335 versions. This is an interesting model, and it would not be difficult to convert it to the single-seat variant by removal of the upper cockpit and hood fairing, and the filling of the hole with plastic card and body putty.
The Republic P-47D Thunderbolt has long been a favourite with kit manufacturers because of the certainty of quick and extensive sales. It doesn't matter if it is a 'bubble' or "razorback" Thunderbolt kit, it will sell. Frog has now added the 'bubble' version to its range, and it is a nice model. General shape is good and it captures the characteristic 'Jug' look. Surface detailing is delicate and the model fits together well. The engine cowling lip is rather sharp if not modified, but this can easily be sanded down to a more blunt entry I would have liked to have seen more detail around the engine, particularly the inner intake which is such a prominent feature. Cockpit detail is sparse. Underwing bombs and racks are provided, but the bomb shape is not very convincing and I prefer to use suitable bombs from another kit.
Two 'Jugs' are featured on the transfer sheet: one from the Free French Air Force (GC Ill/e 'Ardennes') during early 1945, and the other from 615 Squadron ('KW - the unit flying Gladiators during the Battle of France), South East Asia Command, RAF, based in India during 1945.
Apart from the few points of criticism this is one of the best Thunderbolt kits, and captures the character of this massive fighter.
The third of Frog's new releases is a very welcome kit of the delta-wing Gloster Javelin. In spite of its very wide usage there has only been one previous 1/72 kit of the Javelin, many years ago and also by Frog. The Javelin was caught up in the general lack of interest shown in post-war British aeroplanes on the part of kit manufacturers - Frog being the exception.
Frog's new kit features the ultimate all-weather fighter variant, the FAW.9 and 9R, and in general it captures the massive, tough character of the big-tailed delta, although there are a few points of criticism. The nose appears to be a little short, but as the overall length seems to be correct to published figures it may bet that the fuselage is too deep around the cockpit. Overall length figures for any aircraft are always suspect, due to many factors. The figures quoted are sometimes based on the original design draft, without the usual development increases, or they may include such items as pitot head rod length, or guns. Fortunately this does not detract from the overall appearance, as the Gloster fighter was not renowned for slimness of line. The general shape would have been improved if the wings had been slimmer in section in the tip area.
An excellent feature of the model is the provision of numerous stores: the two under-fuslage slipper tanks are there, and the wing pylons have two long-range tanks and Firestreaks. The fuselage probe is included for the Mk 9R equipped for flight-refuelling. Surface detailing is good, but the fit of parts could be better. However, filling cures all the problems. The decal sheet is of high quality and gives markings for a Javelin FAW.9R of 64 Squadron and an FAW.9 of 5 Squadron.
For conversion enthusiasts this Javelin offers scope to produce models of the FAW.7, FAW.8 and earlier marks if more involved work is accepted.
The Dornier Do 335 kit costs 65p, the Thunderbolt 45p and the Javelin 75p.
AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED 1975-05
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