Revell Horten Go229 V3 1:72

The build

The kit I built is the 1:72, 2006 Revell re-box of the original 1994 tool, a definitive improvement compared with the venerable Turkish 1985 Pioneer 2 kit, but currently dwarfed by the exquisite Zoukei-Mura kits. Since the kit doesn’t specify which version or prototype represents, it requires some adjustments in order to get the closest possible to the V3 prototype. For example, the Revell kit reproduces the V2 prototype main gear doors (forward) in three sections including a front large one, while the V3 used a simplified two door configuration.

My copy of the kit had some warped parts, probably due to exposure to heat during shipping or transport. The problem wasn’t serious with the wings, so it was easy to correct them at gluing.

Since my intention is to expose the plywood panels, I scribed the lines dividing them. The kit includes some panel lines, but according to the references, there are incorrect and were erased. With this kit, I decided to “modernise” my scribing tools, going from the venerable Squadron traditional tool, to the fantastic JLC/UMM set, with noticeable better results. I also started using the Hot Tools by Hawler and the UMM fine pointer for fine scribing with templates.

A more serious warpage problem was discovered in the nose section. Since gluing seemed insufficient to correct it, I decided to use the technique of gradually and very carefully heating the piece by submerging it in boiling water for a few seconds (5 to 8 seconds, depending the type of plastic), and then forcing it by hand to recover its correct shape. This technique is dangerous and requires patience and care, going step by step, making a first attempt and checking the result, if not enough, repeating the process until reaching the desire result. For this particular part, I made around 6 attempts until reaching a satisfactory result, almost perfect in the upper side, with a small gap in the underside, but correcting this persistent warpage was now possible by gluing.

Read on…