Nick_Karatzides

In my previous WIP article about the 1/18 scale Jukka Tervamäki Engineering JT-9T autogyro project, I explain in very detailed manner, how to build a vacuum forming device, starting from scratch and using materials that can be found in your local super market. If you are not aware how to build a scratchbuilt vacuum form, please feel free to read it as I described and it might be useful for you. Heat your electric oven to some predetermined level, whatever works and start heating the plastic sheet. I have never tried this with a gas one, so use caution if you do! Once the plastic gets warm, you’ll notice it will droop down. When you think the plastic is soft enough, fire up the vacuum cleaner, take the plastic from the oven and thrown the sheet on the vacuum former. The plastic will nicely form around the moulds. This will take some practice and sometimes a mould tips over or the plastic won’t form properly over the mould (folding around edges). This is also the part where I should warn you that you can burn your fingers - I highly recommend Nomex Aramid flame resistant MilSpec gloves, which I personally use for the job. I buy large plastic styrene 50x30cm sheets for 0.5€ to 1.5€ each (depending width), not the more expensive styrene by Evergreen. When an attempt fails, I usually throw the sheet back in the oven and start again. Once you have the machine, you can make all kinds of things. You can make a lot of aircraft wings, airframe, panels etc out of a sheet like that. You can make the master molds from basswood, epoxy, polyester etc and the parts you make depend on how accurate the master molds are. The molds must be as accurate and detailed as necessary to achieve the results you are after. As you see in the following pictures, I tried white and clear styrene sheets too, in order to build the cabin by white styrene and the bubble canopy by clear. I placed the frame into the preheated electric oven and I wait few critical seconds watching the plastic start heating. As soon as I noticed that it started drooping down, I removed the frame while wearing Nomex Aramid flame resistant MilSpec gloves, to prevent finger burns. While the vacuum cleaner was already switched on, I placed the wooden frame with the pined plastic sheet on the vacuum former plate. The plastic nicely formed around the “virtual” airframe mould... and voila! Using my X-acto knife, I removed the formed cabin pieces from the styrene white or clear sheets and tried some test fitting on the cast.

CHAPTER I - Cabin & bubble canopy construction To produce a thin-skinned, right-to-scale cabin, a solid rock one-piece "image cast" of the bubble typed cabin should be made of modeling clay & epoxy first and then try to reproduce a copy by vacuum forming the image cast. Using the following modeling clay item, found in a supermarket. It's an air-drying modeling clay ideal for scale modeling and shaping. According to the instructions, it can be easily formed into shape, become solid rock withing few hours, re-filled or sanded if necessary and painted or lacquered. That sound quite good to me and similar to the well known Milliput epoxy putty, with the only difference that the 500g air-drying modeling clay pack cost only 1£, instead of 100g Milliput epoxy putty which cost 5£. That makes the new found air-drying modeling clay, about 25 times cheaper than Milliput epoxy putty and that's a good reason for me to give it a chance. I formed the basic shape of the bubble typed cabin, by picking small quantities of this modeling clay with a metal spatula and applying the air-drying modeling clay. It felt too soft and very easy to spread the material nicely. I didn't want to care too much and try forming and shaping the clay, because I was planning to add epoxy putty and sand to make a nice shinny finish. After all, I had no idea how much available time I had, before the material start becoming hard and difficult to handle. The specific polyester filler I used to apply over the clay, comes with the proper catalyst which provides a solid rock build and approximately 3 to 5 minutes time window to form it into shape. I prefer to use epoxy putty or polyester filler with fiberglass grains for special purposes, because: It becomes solid rock within only few minutes or seconds, it does not shrink and does not crack after months or years, you can pour to any shape that you want but you need to work fast because as soon as you mix it with catalyst cream approx 5%, you have limited time before becoming solid rock, you can also put additional layers of epoxy or polyester filler to build up, you can sand it, you can drill it, you can use any type of scale modeling glue, any type of primer or enamel / acrylic paint on it with no problem, can be purchased at any good crafts store into 250ml, 500ml, 1lt (comes with a tube of catalyst hardener) or bigger canisters and if you can't find it, fear not and try your local decent hardware store and finally... it is cheaper than dirt - estimated prices are £3 to £10 depending the canister size, the quality, if contains fiberglass grains for maximum strength etc. Keep in mind that the chemical reaction after mixing the polyester filler with the catalyst hardener, produces some heat that possibly effect on thin plastic parts, so test it first before try it on your scale model. I don’t think that the produced heat is more than Fahrenheit 110, but better watchout. Remember that epoxy materials are dangerous when breath or shallow and could result skin, eyes or lungs problems or even cancer when used for long period with no precaution measures. Always keep in mind, that a powerful vacuum system to suck away the epoxy dust should be used all time to keep the workbench area clean while sanding or milling epoxy or resin materials. Using an issued breathing mask and a pair of surgery latex gloves to prevent dust contact with lungs and fingers while sanding or milling epoxy, is also an important matter that you should seriously take care of! My recommendation is to also wear an overall working suit (as I do) to keep your clothes dust free while sanding epoxy. Some people might find it too much, but I wouldn't like to bring epoxy dust & grains from my work bench into living room and my beloved. When the cast used as an "image" of the bubble typed cabin, was filled with a layer of polyester filler and had enough time to polymerize and get solid rock, it was sanded carefully to get the right shape. Finally, the cast was sprayed with white shiny finish to help me spot any scratches or defects.

1/18 scale Bölkow Bo-102 Helitrainer scratchbuild model The Bölkow Bo-102 Helitrainer was an unusual ground-based helicopter training aid that was developed and built by Bölkow of Germany in the late 1950s. It embodied all essential elements of a conventional helicopter, but was mounted on an articulated gantry to allow a student controlled experience of helicopter systems. Designed to be mounted on a swivelling captive rig the Bölkow Bo-102 Helitrainer allowed trainee pilots to practice procedures such as engine starting, rotor engagement and manipulation of the flight controls. Many of the Bo 102's components, including the single bladed fiberglass main rotor were used in the company's next design, the Bölkow Bo-103. Rolled out in 1957, this Helitrainer was powered by a Hirth 3-cylinder / 2-stroke 40hp ILO L3X375 piston engine rated at 30 kW, driving a simple 21 foot one-bladed fiberglass rotor with a counterweight. In all 18 of these Helitrainers were built operating throughout Europe, training military helicopter pilots. Although unable to fly, they were ideal for the teaching of hovering techniques and were replaced by dual trainer helicopters. The Bölkow Bo-102 Helitrainer offered a variety of advantages for a safe helicopter training and was developed in land and water based versions, both of which were semi-captive. The first training section was conducted on this model mounted on a boogie. It facilitated the training of starting, tuning the rotary speed, taking off, hovering, turning, and landing. Simple exercising device for beginners’ training. Safety risk minimized by captivation, yet limited flight maneuvers possible. This feature allowed the helicopter to rise to a height of 2 m (6 ft), turn around a vertical axis and dip at up to 6° but prevented it from flying outside these limits. Looks like a kiddie heliride, a toy for big boys huh? Unfortunately, the Bölkow Bo-102 Helitrainer did not gain general approval because of its costs being nearly as high as a small helicopter. Luckily, very few of them, are still surviving as public display exhibit at the Hubschraubermuseum Bückeburg Germany, the helicopter museum Weston and in Rota museum Spain. Parts of BO-102B were found at a freight forwarding company in Vlotho and donated to the helicopter museum in Buckeburg. The workshop team, managed to restore few of these experimental helicopter training devices. Technical data & general characteristics Type designation: Bo-102B Helitrainer Usage: Single seated captive helicopter trainer for basic helicopter training Year of construction: 1958 Manufacturer: Bölkow Entwicklungen KG Country: Germany Length: 5.68 m Main rotor area: 34.8 m² (374 sq feet) Main rotor diameter: 6.58 m (21 ft 8 in) Powerplant: 1 x Hirth 3-cylinder / 2-stroke 40hp ILO L3X375 piston engine rated at 30 kW Power: 40 shp Gross weight: 770 kg (1697 lb) Take off weight without a platform: 325kg Crew: 1 student pilot & 1 trainer (on additional seat) Speed: Handcuffed on the ground Range: Stationary base coach

CHAPTER III - Left wing structure cutaway It would be a missed opportunity if I left such a large model with no cutaway openings on wing & airframe structure. Initially, the pins & screws holding the top & bottom part of the wing, were removed. Parts of the left wing's leading edge were also cut, to let the wiring between the leg and wing landing gear detail, visible. As planed, the left wing got a big hole on upper side, to let the wing's inner structure visible too. Using the minitool the plastic was cleaned up and the thickness was reduced to be thin enough to fit on the scale. The interior wing struts built by styrene and glued in place. At the same time, the lateral support wing rods got placed. Because the thickness of the plastic is reduced to look realistic, the structure is quite fragile, especially around the opened hatches.

I used the lower panel of the Verlinden’s resin kit and the upper panel of the original 21st Century Toys kit and applied modifications as required. I cut, shape & drilled the gauges positions. Using the Corel Photo Paint, I created a coloured sketch of the instruments, copy & paste the image into a MS Word new file and print it on a simple A4 page. Meanwhile, I add some detail on the instrument panel, such as rivets made by streached sprue inserted in drilled out holes, knobs etc. Most of resin & photoetched parts of the Verlinden’s resin kit, also used, such as the pilot's seat, the rudder pedals, the control stick etc.

I've been asked what would be the purpose of a Mistel with a manned flying bomb and why I am building this project using a FW-190D Dora instead of an A-model. So, I need to clear some things before proceeding to project's building: We all know that Fi-103R "Reichenberg" piloted bombs really existed into the "Leonidas Squadron" Group V of the Luftwaffe's KampfGeschwader KG-200, but we have no reports for operation use. The first Fi-103R "Reichenberg" piloted bombs real flight was performed in September 1944 at Larz. The Reichenberg being dropped from a Heinkel He-111. Training began on the R1 and R2 versions and although landing them on a skid was difficult, the Fi-103Rs handled well. Albert Speer eventually met with Hitler on 15 March 1945 and managed to convince him that suicide missions were not part of the German warrior tradition and later that day Baumbach ordered the Reichenberg unit to be disbanded. The A-model was not the only one used for Mistel. The FW-190Fs & Rs were also combined with Junkers Ju-88s as Mistel. The F-models actually used into real operations as Mistel 2. Also, as mentioned before, this is a completely fictional Mistel project. There is no evidence or proof that any variant of the FW-190 fighter was combined as Mistel with a V-1/Fi-103 flying bomb, piloted or not. Nevertheless, this combination seems familiar among the scale modellers, but was never actually existed with FW-190As or any other FW-190 version. That means that FW-190D version, is as "what if" as the FW-190A version combined with a Fi-103 V-1 flying bomb. The only Mistel combinations were seen in actual operative use, are the following. Any other Mistel combination, is fictional (or projected for use) and never appeared into real battle. Junkers Ju-88A4 with Messerschmitt Bf-109F4 Franz (aka Mistel 1) and Junkers Ju-88A4 with Focke Wulf FW-190A8/F8 Würger (aka Mistel 2). Off course there were many Mistel combinations flew test flights, but ultimately none seen active duty. These are: Klemm Kl-35 with Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug DFS-230 troop glider Focke Wulf FW-56 Stösser with Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug DFS-230 troop glider Messerschmitt Bf-109 with Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug DFS-230 troop glider Messerschmitt Me-328B/V1 with Dornier Do-217E2 Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug DFS-228 with Dornier Do-217K Ever seen Mistel with RAF markings? Well, after seeing the following pictures and focusing on the markings, the word "fictional" sounds so "probably true". Isn't it? ...after all, RAF had already tried other combinations earlier!

Thanks, but AA artillery related scale models were just an exception, last for a short period and inspired from my Hellenic Army days. You see, I am mostly interested on aviation related projects. Feel free to check my previously uploaded articles on ModelWork.PL forum, where I always try to combine step-by-step building WIP presentation, with useful tips & techniques: 1/18 scale Jukka Tervamaki Engineering JT-9T autogyro scratchbuild model 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Block 52 HAF scratchbuild model 1/18 scale Focke Wulf FW-190D9 Dora & Fieseler Fi-103R2 Reichenberg Mistel scratchbuild model Plastimodellismo produces and sell Hellenic Army & Hellenic Air Force water transfer decals for the last 20 years. If you are planning to build a Greek M-42 some day, I send you some pictures taken at the Hellenic Army museum. Keep in mind that there are two different M-42s at the following pictures, with two different camouflage patterns. Off course there is an official printed TM (Technical Manual) which defines exact FS colours and camouflage pattern, but some times the paint shop military personnel express their art feelings. Additionally, the side turret markings are missing on these museum samples, but the active duty M-42s, did have Hellenic Army side markings, as presented on my scale model. I also send the camouflage pattern used by Hellenic Army.

M-42 Duster 2x40mm SPG - Self Propelled anti aircraft Gun is old. Production began in early 1952 at GM's Cleveland Tank Plant. These vehicles entered service in 1953 with US armed forces. Greek-Cypriot armed forces were not equipped with M-42 Dusters during the Turkish invasion in 1974. Unfortunately, due to misunderstanding, the Cypriot AA artillery 40mm Bofors canons fired against Greek Nord N-2501 Noratlas 354th Sqdrn aircrafts, carrying commandos to reinforce Greek-Cypriot brothers, thereby destroying one of them in the air and causing serious damaged to other. As result of shot down, was the tragic loss of the crew and commandos on board. Feel free to read about "Operation Nike" (Nike means Victory in Greek language), by clicking HERE.

…but after paint stripping in 2010 and repaint again, the result is the following. I did some modifications with styrene, but no additional PE parts used. The main modification I made was to reduce the thickness of the turrets armor, into more realistic levels (feel free to check differences between THIS and THIS picture). Adding some extra fuel canisters, tools & shovels, flashlight, hoses etc seemed right to me. Spare 40mm cannons and few more elements made of wire & plastic, adding some detail to this oldie. Off course, I could use the PE / resin upgrade kit for best results, but I didn't want to spend more time & money trying to re-birth a 20+ years old kit. The sights are 1/48 scale afterburners actually, taken from an old F-5E Tiger II kit.

CHAPTER II - Instrument panel & cockpit construction The Focke Wulf FW-190D Dora, was a single seat, single engine fighter aircraft of Luftwaffe and one of the best fighters of its generation. Compared to the Messerschmitt Bf-109, the FW-190 was a "workhorse," employed in and proved suitable for a wide variety of roles, including ground attack, long range bomber escort, night fighter and (especially in the D-Dora version) high altitude interceptor. Just like the other WWII warbirds, the Focke Wulf FW-190D9 Dora’s instrument panel does only have just the basic instruments in cockpit to provide the pilot with information about the flight situation, such as height, speed & attitude, engine RPMs etc. The 21st Century Toys model cockpit was removed because detail was not appropriate and the 1/20 scale Verlinden’s resin kit installed instead. Verlinden’s cockpit is made up of resin pieces and photo etched metal parts as well, including a cockpit tub, seat, rudder pedals, front & side panels, control stick etc. The parts are cast in tan resin and the casting is free of bubbles. Detailing on the parts is sharp and quite nice.

CHAPTER I - Focke Wulf FW-190D9 Dora sections disassembly This 52cm long 1/18 scale 21st Century Toys model needs massive scratch building and I quickly understood that I'd need to spend hundreds hours on my hobby bench to make it look descent. To do so, I had to start disassembling the FW to its own sections and remove the parts that need to be detailed or built from zero. After all, it’s a toy with great possibilities of becoming a high detailed scale model. The airframe comes straight from the box already sealed and I had to open it and work it from inside. That's a hard work to do, because the fuselage remains stuck with internal reinforcing supports & screws that I should locate and carefully remove with causing less damage on plastic material. Considering the huge dimensions of the model, I should theoretically scratch build almost everything! Using styrene cards and new blades on my modelling knife, I started. I’d like to express my gratitude to: Mr Sakis “Hummel Moss” Bozinis for kindly sharing his reference material to build this project and Mr Alexis Kontiveis for his valuable advices and providing his experience on the FW-190 airframe structure

1/18 scale Focke Wulf FW-190D9 Dora & Fieseler Fi-103R2 Reichenberg Mistel 21st Century Toys & Pegasus Hobbies conversion & scratchbuild The Mistel (Mistletoe in German language), also known as Beethoven Gerät or Vati und Sohn (Daddy and Son), was a Luftwaffe composite aircraft type of bomber, appearing late in World War II. The Mistel composites were ultimately born of desperation due to Allied numerical superiority in both men and material. The Mistel series of composite aircraft are without a doubt one of the strangest concepts to achieve operational status with the Luftwaffe. The original concept was proposed to the RLM in 1941 by Siegfried Holzbauer, a Junkers test pilot. His idea was to make use of "tired" Junkers Ju-88 airframes by packing them with explosives, fly them near a target and crash them into the target after the fighter had released itself. The fighter pilot would control the "missile" after release by remote control. To turn the tide of battle the German aircraft industry resorted to designing unmanned explosive laden aircraft launched and controlled by a parent aircraft. Although the first test of the concept was made in 1942 involving a Messerschmitt Bf-109s and an unmanned Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug DFS-230 troop glider with a specialised 1800 kg (3960 lb) warhead, as the war progressed the concept gradually shifted from an offensive weapon to a purely defensive weapon. Early Mistel combinations involved Messerschmitt Bf-109 and Focke Wulf FW-190 fighters acting as parent aircraft to mainly converted Junkers Ju-88 explosive carrier aircraft, so DFS-230s was first tasked with developing the tripod strut supports to mate the two machines. These hooked into plates on the fighter's wing roots while a single pole supported the fighter's tail and kept the fuselage axes parallel. In some combinations the fighter sat at a 15 degrees nose down angle. The first such composite aircraft flew in July 1943 and was promising enough to begin a programme by Luftwaffe test unit Kampfgeschwader KG-200, code-named "Beethoven". It proved successful enough for the RLM to approved a further 15 conversions. Tests with Junkers Ju-88 fuselage sized hollow charge warheads against the French battleship Oran proved to be successful and an eventual thickness of 60 feet of reinforced concrete was breached in further tests. Flight testing was finished by October 1943 with concentrated development of warheads proceeding next. The first unit to receive the Mistel was the Second Staffel of the Kampfgeschwader KG-101, commanded by Captain Horst Rudat. But before Rudat could move his Staffel to Grove things had come to the boil in France, for on the June 6 Allied forces had landed in Normandy. Accordingly, the few Mistel combinations available were ferried to St Dizier in France, for operations against the invasion fleet. The Mistel pilots did claim some hits, but none of these are confirmed in Allied records. An explanation for this could be that some of the hits were on the old French battleship Courbet, which was being used as a block ship for the British Mulberry harbour at Arromanches and specially dressed up as a decoy by the Allies. Since the ship was already lying on the sea bottom, in shallow water, the Royal Navy were more than happy to have the Germans attack her in preference to more worthwhile targets. So Courbet was dressed up to look as conspicuous as possible, with an enormous tricolour complete with the cross of Louraine; thereafter she acted as a magnet for attacks. She certainly collected several bombs and torpedoes, and possibly a Mistel or two. Over 250 Mistels of various combinations were built, but like all the Third Reichs super weapons, they proved too little too late and met limited success. Mistel combinations such as the following, were seen in actual operative use: Junkers Ju-88A4 with Messerschmitt Bf-109F4 Franz (aka Mistel 1) and Junkers Ju-88A4 with Focke Wulf FW-190A8/F8 Würger (aka Mistel 2). Some other combinations such as the following, were projected for use: Junkers Ju-88A6/G1 with Focke Wulf FW-190A6 Würger (aka Mistel 3a), Junkers Ju-88A4/H4 with Focke Wulf FW-190A8 Würger (aka Mistel 3b) and Junkers Ju-88G1/H4 with Focke Wulf FW-190F8 Würger (aka Mistel 3c). Finally, there were a variety of only in paper proposed plans such as: Junkers Ju-88G7 with Focke Wulf Ta-152H, Siebel Si-204 with Akaflieg Darmstadt München DM-1 Lippisch, Focke Wulf Ta-154 Moskito with Focke Wulf FW-190A8 Würger, Junkers Ju-287 with Messerschmitt Me-262A1a Schwalbe (aka Mistel 4), Arado E.377A flying bomb with Heinkel He-162 Volksjäger (aka Mistel 5), Dornier Do-217K with Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug DFS-228 and Arado Ar-234 Blitz with Fieseler Fi-103 V-1 Vergeltungswaffen flying bomb. The following article is to describe the step by step building process of the 1/18 scale Focke Wulf FW-190D9 Dora toy model by 21st Century Toys, combined with the 1/18 scale Fieseler Fi-103 V-1 Vergeltungswaffen flying bomb by Pegasus Hobbies, into a completely fictional Mistel project. Both 1/18 scale kits, bought a couple of years ago and waited patiently in my hobby room, to be combined. As far as I know, there is no evidence or proof that any variant of the Focke Wulf FW-190 fighter was combined as Mistel with a Fieseler Fi-103 V-1 Vergeltungswaffen flying bomb. Nevertheless, this exact mythical combination seems familiar among the scale modellers because a drawing showing a Fieseler Fi-103 V-1 Vergeltungswaffen flying bomb combined with a Focke Wulf FW-190A8 Würger. However, it is likely that the document was made after the WWII and a V-1 flying bomb and FW-190 fighter Mistel combination, was never actually existed. To make this Mistel model look even more exotic, I decided to: Slaughter the Focke Wulf FW-190D9 Dora toy model’s fuselage & wings in a way to present opened areas as cutaway and Convert the flying bomb into a Fieseler Fi-103R2 Reichenberg Mistel piloted version, which is almost identical and has the same length as the basic Fieseler Fi-103 V-1 Vergeltungswaffen flying bomb. Keep in mind that the most known experimental Reichenberg R4 & R5 piloted versions, are longer than the standard V-1 version.

I tried black paper background (instead of white) & different light conditions and I was surprised on how the model looks like. From now on, black background and low level lighting only... PS. A little sparrow bird is now present on tail fin

I tried black paper background (instead of white) & different light conditions and I was surprised on how the model looks like. From now on, black background and low level lighting only...

CHAPTER VI - Epilogue Using the home inject printer, I created a “MEHMET BUISTERS” water transfer decal to place on the front right shield, as seen on a real Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 AA system and presented few paragraphs before with THIS picture. The decal printed as expected and was accurate on scale, but unfortunately, the picture was not just right – I didn’t liked it and as soon as I took the picture, the water transfer decal, removed. After all, I am trying to represent a Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 AA system, as seen at NAMFI and the “MEHMET BUSTERS” one, was seen in another location. As final, I took some pictures with the final vignette side by side with the 1/18 scale model which I’ve already started, currently scratchbuilding and hoping to finish soon. A Life Color paint and a dummy round are also posing as a size reference for the WIP 1/18 scale model. Thank you for following this thread and I hope you enjoyed reading this article and I hope you like the following pictures: Regards, Nick

Details such as the 20x139mm ammo shells and the red flag indicating that the Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 AA system is loaded with live ammo, were added at last. After being paint black and washed with brown dark rust tones, the ammo shells set in place using white glue. You can compare the size of the real 20x139mm ammo with the 1/35 scale brass.

CHAPTER V - Display concrete base & gravel I found nice idea to place it on a display base, simulating the concrete covered launching area as I actually saw it at NAMFI. From my local store, I bought a 20x30cm polished wooden picture frame. I add some grams of plaster powder and few drops of water with a syringe into a soft rubber cup to make the right mixture. Materials like plaster, start as a dry powder that is mixed with water to form a paste which liberates heat and then hardens. Unlike mortar and cement, plaster remains quite soft after drying and this characteristic make plaster suitable for the job. Keep in mind that adding salt into wet plaster mixture, reduce the plaster's hardening time and adding vinegar into wet plaster mixture, extend the plaster's hardening time. When the first layer of thinned plaster applied on the picture frame, a glass were pushed against the plaster to form a flat basic strong cast. I left it few hours to get harden in order to be sure that the cast wouldn't break when I would try to cut it into desired shape. Meanwhile, I took the soft rubber cup which I used to make the plaster mixture, squized it to break the last hardened plaster left inside, so it would be easier for me to clean it afterwards and prepare it for any future mix. That's the reason this soft rubber cup were used for. Before the plaster cast got harden, I formed the field area into the desired shape to be suitable for the Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 AA system scale model. I thought as nice idea to add few grams of sprinkled sea sand in order to simulate the gravel covered ground, around the concrete base. Water based white glue for wood, which becomes transparent when it dries, is just the right for the job. So, I opened a 500 grams canister bought for 2€ only, pick a small quantity, add just few drops of water with a syringe into a small metal container to make the right mixture and finally I applied on the desired areas to be covered with sea sand. Because the mixture is enriched with water based glue, it is easy to correct possible mistakes. Finally, the Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 AA system scale model glued on the base with silicon. Here are some test pictures. Please keep in kind that this is not final, as some details such as the 20x139mm ammo shells will be added at last, the gunners figure is not placed yet and some minor details will be placed later.

As soon as the previous very diluted Life Color acrylic paint layer dried, a second (very diluted also) layer sprayed over, so the final result will become dark enough, that can be considered as into a realistic tonality & lighting colour range, while the black preshading lines, are still visible under the applied colour layers. Minor corrections were made in 1-2 spots with a fine brush. After the acrylic paint got dried, I had to add selectively some dirt & dust effects.

CHAPTER IV - Applying paint, wash & weather effects The first Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 towed AA systems, received by Hellenic Army AA artillery battalions and HAF squadrons, entered active duty on early ‘80ies. Until 1995, more than 800 systems were in Greek service. They were painted with the CARC - Chemical Agent Resistant Coating which is specially formulated to reduce the system’s IR image reflection. From CARC paint manufacturer's brochure (page #5) found in HERE it is clear that "…MilSpray CARC touchup, creates no IR image…". Also, in page #2 you can read: "...Key to survivability in combat is avoidance of enemy detection systems and IR homing weapons. CARC coated vehicles and equipment have signature-reduction properties that diminish the effectiveness of existing and emerging enemy detection and targeting systems. While infrared reflectivity is one element of signature-reduction, other characteristics and their particulars are considered classified information. Infrared Signature (IR) management is one of the least understood, yet most important attributes of the CARC camouflage system. Each of the colors in the camouflage system contains a special pigment package that camouflages vehicles and equipment when they are in their intended theater of operation. As an example, the 383 green color in the camouflage pattern, has an IR signature equal, or less than, that of chlorophyll. When viewed in IR, the vehicle will blend in with the wooded environment and will not create an IR signature that could be used by enemy weapons systems having IR homing technology. IR homing weapons systems can be found in MANPADs and many shoulder fired missiles…". When received by the Hellenic Armed Forces and until today, these towed anti aircraft systems did not have any national markings. Also, keep in mind, that I no Rheinmetall ever seen with the bronze plaque in honor of St. Barbara (which in the manners, customs and traditions of the Hellenic Army protects the Artillery), was installed yet! What I'll try to display, is a Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 AA system scale model as they appeared in Hellenic Army AA artillery service during the late 1990ies / early 2000ies period. Notice the “nose art” style details found on some of the Rheinmetall front plate shields. The scale model carefully washed with liquid soap and warm water to disappear leaving oil traces, fingertips etc. Some fellow scale modelers might prefer to use alcohol to remove leaving oil traces, fingertips etc, but I wouldn’t recommend it, because the alcohol tends to remove or shrink the majority of modelling filler putty products. As long as the model was already light grey primed, I sprayed black paint preshading lines across the lines & around the details. The exact colour the Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 towed AA systems are painted, is quite difficult to define. According to the official Rheinmetall painting guide, it is the FS34086 which looks OK to me, but I found few pictures where the colour tends to seem more brown than green, actually - I think this is so, due to different lighting conditions during picture shooting or old & faded photographs. Here’s something to compare the official FS34086 “Army Forest Green Camo” to FS34087 “Olive Drab” which is more likely in the previous pictures. I believe that the basic CARC FS34086 “Army Forest Green Camo” colour is quite close to the Humbrol's #66 “Matt Olive Drab” or Gunze Sangyo's #78. Because I had in mind to present lighter tones on model's surface, to simulate the scale effect, I tried the official FS34086 “Army Forest Green Camo” which is available by Life Color as UA106 “Aermacchi Green Verde ” acrylic paint, enlighted with right percentage of white colour as the SLC - Scale Lighting effect Calculator program estimates. Using the SLC - Scale Lighting effect Calculator program, I placed as basic colour the FS34086 (RGB code 58x60x47) and set the parameters such as 1/35 scale, appearance of model’s surface in a scale from a “new - just painted” level to “old - paints are fade” level, according to what I had in mind to create, etc. and the program, draw the results. For example: RGB code 71x73x61 as the suggested 7% scale lighting paint for a “NEW - just painted” model, RGB code 81x82x71 as the suggested 13% scale lighting paint for a “MEDium weathered” model, RGB code 89x91x80 as the suggested 19% scale lighting paint for an “OLD - paints are fade” model. I asked for “NEW - just painted” data, considering that the Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 towed AA systems are well treated, usually covered with tarpaulins when not in use and never spoiled with mud, dirt etc so the paint doesn’t look faded or extreme weathered, despite being in active service for several years. Offcourse, some high lighted details, will be enlighted, using lighter OD tones. The Life Color’s official FS34086 / UA106 “Aermacchi Green Verde ” acrylic paint, enlighted with 7% matt white & sand mixture. The first base very diluted acrylic colour was sprayed with no problem as a light layer and let dry overnight.

CHAPTER III - Gunner figure building & detailing Hecker & Goros provides a soft metal figure representing a German Army’s Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 AA system gunner. The point is, that the figure is offered as one piece with the adjustable seat. That would be a problem for me, because I was planning a no-figure set. You see, figure building & painting is not my field. But, as long as I was not in a mood to spend few hours to build a decent seat from scratch, I decide to include the figure in the project. After all, since I tried building non-aviation related stuff, I could also try myself converting and painting a scale figure too. As you can see at the previous pictures I took at the NAMFI, the Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 AA system gunners did not wear a steel or Kevlar helmet while firing live ammo. That could be against the military rules, but when they need to be concentrated on aerial target and open fire with a 4000 rounds / min rate, they should not worry for such details. For this reason, I cut the German Army gunner’s head and replaced it with his grand father’s head, from an old Tamiya set. The new cap covered head were trimmed, sanded to look realistic and got a new Hellenic Army pin on the upper front. The metal arms also had to be changed because it was nearly impossible to place the gunner’s hands on the control joystick in realistic way. Plastic arms found into my spare box, fit in place with cyanoacrylate glue and the final result were sprayed with primer to prepare for painting process and highlight any deficiencies that had escaped my attention so far.

CHAPTER II - Main model building & detailing Following the simple assembly instructions, I placed each metal piece on place using two-component cyanoacrylate glue for best results. The model parts are molded in such way that no putty is needed to fill any gaps - just clean the soft metal parts from cast line and glue it on desired spot. The kit is very easy to assemble and actual on scale with enough details to make it look realistic. Using styrene plastic sheet, and having the official diagrams and detailed pictures found into Rheinmetall’s technical maintenance manual, I added few more details. Checking the parts carefully, I found that few items (such as the front shield) were more thickness that they should. Sanding with nail file, was just OK to make it look more realistic. The fuel tank hatch release handle, have been detailed according the diagrams and pictures and glued it in "CLOSED" position. The following pictures indicate some of the detail improvements added, using the Rheinmetall’s technical maintenance manual & few of my pictures as reference guide. As soon as all the details, hatch covers, handles, etc were fit & glued on the scale model, I spray a primer light layer over the model to prepare for painting process and highlight any deficiencies that had escaped my attention so far.

CHAPTER I - Soft metal kit preparation & cleaning To be honest, since I’ve already had a first taste of 1/35 scale, I was actually planning to build both the German Army’s Rolland II SAMs on Marder IFV, to remember that day at NAMFI. But, just because I didn’t find available Marder IFV scale model with Rolland II SAM yet, I thought as best idea to start with the 1/35 scale Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 2x20mm AA system model kit by Hecker & Goros (already found into a London UK hobby shop) first and continue with the Rolland II SAM on Marder IFV model as a future project. As far as I tried Google, I didn’t find any additional Rheinmetall kits available, so I consider myself as lucky I found it. The assembly instructions contained in the kit is actually an A4 size sheet, one side only printed guide describes the building steps. The soft metal pieces were carefully placed into sealed transparent bags. Unfortunately, after careful inspection to spot any possible defects, cracks, gaps, etc. I found one piece missing, but no problem as long as I could replace it scratchbuild with plastic styrene sheet. Additionally, the soft metal pieces simulating the barrels, found in quite bad condition in box, 30° warped and I was afraid that giving them back a nice ‘n’ straight line shape, could result a crack. Luckily, straightening the warped barrels was an easy job, but I also had a plan-B option to buy RBM Models 1/35 scale accessory suitable for Marder’s 1A2 Rheinmetall cannon barrel if something didn’t go as expected. Additionally, using the minitool, I carefully opened realistic flash suppressers because I was disappointed with the original ones. Since the Hellenic Army’s 230 pages manual for operation & technical maintenance is not quite suitable for scale modeling use, I preferred the official Rheinmetall’s 500 pages technical maintenance manual which is the best reference I could get before starting the project. Before starting the building, I placed the metal pieces side by side and compared them with the diagrams and detailed pictures found into the Rheinmetall’s technical maintenance manual.

1/35 scale Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 2x20mm Hellenic Army towed anti aircraft system model by Hecker & Goros It’s been long time since the mid 1990ies, I had the opportunity as a young officer in Hellenic Army, to receive an invitation to watch the tactical evaluation of NATO AA gunners at NAMFI - NATO Missile Firing Instalations in Suda bay / Crete island. The German Army AA gunners, launched Roland II SAM missiles based on Marder IFVs and the Hellenic Army AA gunners engaged aerial RC targets with the Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 2x20mm cannons. In the following picture, me as a Hellenic Army 2nd Lieutenant, between the German Army Captain / Hauptmann who was in charge with the German Army’s Rolland II SAMs on Marder IFVs AA Battery at that time and the German Army Sergeant Major / Oberstabsfeldwebel who was the technical maintenance master chief. The date is 15 years before today. Lucky me, I managed to shot few pictures and keep in mind few things for (future) scale modelling projects too. Since this article is about the Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 2x20mm scale model, have a look on few pictures of that day. Few years later, during my summer vacations on an Aegean island, I walked around and examined the Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 system details, while visiting a forwarded AA post, based on the island. According to the crew, the AA post was 24/7 operational, the ammo belts were stored next to the system, to provide a 5 minutes readiness, which is enough time for the crew to load the ammo belts and prepare the RH for operation. As the successor model to the 20mm HS-820 cannon, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany was planning a development, the Rheinmetall offered under its own name RH-202. This AA system should be not only much cheaper than the 20mm HS-820, but also much better: with maximum of fire readiness, extended operational life, resistance against weather, dirt, sand & water and ease operation and field maintenance. The Rheinmetall Zwillingsflak twin gun anti aircraft system, designed to match the mission of the low level air defence units of the German Air Force, to engage low and very low approaching enemy aircraft with all appropriate means in time to prevent them from firing their weapons or delivering their ordnance or at least to prevent them from carrying out an accurate attack on an Air Force installation. The Budget Committee of the Bundestag approved the Zwillingsflak system in December 1969 and serial production began few months later. Volume production in Düsseldorf and in the second manufacturing site at Mauser in Oberndorf began in May 1970. Initial problems in production were solved quickly, and the RH-202 was promoted in the service of the Bundeswehr into a Rheinmetall success story: In 1967 the Federal Ministry of Defence accepted the automatic cannon for the introduction in all branches of service. Through the consistent use of the 20mm RH-202 at Army, Air Force and Navy is thus guaranteed in the Federal Republic of Germany for a limited time, the weapons & ammunition standardization. The first serially manufactured systems reached units of the Bundeswehr on October 12th 1972. Rheinmetall delivered the last of these systems in 1976. It was used by the Argentine Air Force (FAA - Fuerza Aérea Argentina) during the Falklands War, used in the defense of the airfield at Port Stanley Falkland.. Since 1981, it is used by the Portuguese Army (Exército Português) and the Portuguese Air Force (FAP - Força Aérea Portuguesa). The Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 2x20mm AA system is withdrawn from service with the German Armed Forces, but still in active use with the Hellenic Army AA artillery, the HAF - Hellenic Air Force, the Turkish Armed Forces and Indonesian Army air defence as well. A total of 6630 Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 systems were produced. The Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 20x139mm AA system can be transferred after placed on two-wheeled trailer. It and can be coupled to a light vehicle such as the Mercedes Benz 240GD Geländewagen , or a military truck such as the Mercedes Benz Unimog or the Steyr 680M - all of them are in service in the Hellenic Army & the Hellenic Air Force. In firing position the installation is supported by three pillars. The gunner is sitting back, handles the system with a joystick and aims the gun on the target using the Italian made Officine Galileo R-56 computerized sight, which has an optical viewfinder with an x5 increase, serial connected with an electronic analog firing computer to calculate lead angles, distances and point of impact for firing against aerial or ground targets, the arm control mechanisms, vertical & traverse, a placard to display information the data etc. Mechanisms of -5.5° to +85° vertical & 360° traverse are operated hydraulically with a maximum speed of rotation of 80 degrees / sec and vertical guidance of 48 degrees / sec. System is completely autonomous, equipt with an on-board two-stroke gasoline Wankel typed air cooled engine (established under the gunner’s seat), providing needed electric power to operate the hydraulic servos, the Officine Galileo R-56 computerized sight, the on-board firing computer and the electronic controls. Although, under emergency situations (or if no electric power) it can also be manually operated using handles, but firing computer data cannot be transferred to the optical sight if system is not electric powered. It is a precision anti aircraft system with a high rate of fire, ideal to allow high accuracy engagement against aerial targets that cannot be reached with rifles or machine guns. The two 20mm cannons are fully automatic, gas operated with floating mounted base, thus reducing the recoil forces and achieving maximum accuracy, reliability and service life. The gunner is shooting, by pressing the pedal fitted with a fuse with left foot, setting accurate fire into 2000m effective range, until 7000m maximum range. Single barrel or dual automatic shooting can be selected through the control panel, with 2000 rounds / min, per barrel - that means that the Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 AA system, fires with a 4000 rounds / min rate, when both barrels operation is selected by the gunner. The belt feeders are gas-operated and belt transport is independent of cannon and bolt recoil. A number of 280 rounds of 20x139mm ammunition are stored in each side ammo box - total 560 rounds on the system, ready to fire. A flexible hose connecting the ammo box with a gun, is feeding with rounds all time. Using a variety of 20x139mm ammo, including BS with a detachable tray, BZTS, FZS, FZTS and various training with projectile weight 134g (0.3 lb) full caliber or 108g APDS can provide muzzle velocity 1150 m/s (3770 ft/s) - deadly effective against low flying targets. Two versions of the Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202 AA system received by the Hellenic Army under special order to cover the anti aircraft Artillery demands. The main visible difference between these two versions is the iron sight or the telescopic sight (used for pre-aiming) placed over the main Officine Galileo R-56 computerized sight eyescope. These two versions differ (apart from the obvious visible difference as explained before) a few more external details on the electronic control switches. Both versions can also be electronically connected with the S-11 simulator (see following picture), used for AA gunners daily exercise.

Thank you for following this thread and I hope you enjoyed reading this article. I hope I’ll meet all of you, right after the summer holidays on Amorgos island, where the “Big Blue” Aegean dolphins are living and having fun. Click on the first picture for video. Regards, Nick