Fieseler Fi-167, Carrier "Graf Zeppelin", April 1943.

nönöbär · April 17, 2016, 04:36:38 AM

Fieseler Fi-167, Carrier "Graf Zeppelin", April 1943.

The Plane:

The Fieseler Fi-167 was specially designed as a carrier-based recon and torpedo bomber. First flown in 1938 only 14 planes were build (as the planned Kriegsmarine carriers were never completed). After their usage in the Luftwaffe until 1943, the aircraft were given to Croatia and Romania where they served as recon aircraft.

In the What-If worlds things were different.....

When the "Graf Zeppelin" was put into service in 1942 (see http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,37705.0.html), the Fi-167 was the primary torpedo bomber used on the ship.
Despite the good slow flying performance, first air operations in Norwegian waters showed that the Fi-167 was very vulnerable against enemy fighters and AA-fire. However, against lightly defended targets, the aircraft was able to score a high number of torpedo hits.

The Fieseler only had a short career in the Kriegsmarine, as it was replaced by the FW190T (http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,37766.msg613342.html#msg613342) from October 1943 on. The Fi-167 was then used as a training aircraft for torpedo-bombers in the Baltic Sea until the end of the war.

The Model shows a Fi-167 on the "Graf Zeppelin" in Norwegian waters in April 1943.

Collection of German carrier aircraft of WW2:

The Model:

The model is made from a 1/72 scale Pavla kit. A typical short-run model it was quite tricky to build and a lot sanding was required. The thermoformed cockpit was not in a good shape and did not fit very good at all.
I tried to add the wing bracing by using EZ-Line which was also used for the Antenna. The kit was equipped with several PE parts. Painting was done with Revell Aqua Color and as the paint job did not got too good, weathering was made with additional water color and a Tamiya weathering set.
Decals of the kit were a bit mixed. Very thin and no silvering, but the tendency to disintegrate in the water.

zenrat · April 17, 2016, 04:43:19 AM

Wow. Never knew about these. A strangely long legged aircraft.
Good job.

DogfighterZen · April 17, 2016, 04:46:58 AM

Quote from: zenrat on April 17, 2016, 04:43:19 AM
Wow. Never knew about these. A strangely long legged aircraft.
Good job.

Same here, very nice work!

PR19_Kit · April 17, 2016, 05:38:46 AM

I had an Airmodel vacform of that Fiesler years and years ago, and it was NOTHING like yours.

That looks terrific, a surprisingly large aircraft and very nicely built.

king of men · April 17, 2016, 09:06:59 PM

It is a beautiful aircraft, and a well done model. I've had the Pavla Fi-167 since it first came out because I like the type, but keep hoping that someone would take the plunge and make one with a higher buildability rating. Plus I've run out of my preferred rigging medium (Wonderwire) and haven't been able to find a new source even if there is one. So two strikes against it when so much else is competing for bench space. But I do love seeing well made models of it. Congrats!

NARSES2 · April 18, 2016, 07:24:48 AM

I've seen that kit on sale a few times and always managed to stop myself from handing over cash. I think it's the first one I've seen built and all I can say is knowing what Pavla kits can be like you have done a tremendous job with her

Weaver · April 18, 2016, 07:31:19 AM

Nice one - I've always wanted to see one of those as a model.

Dizzyfugu · April 18, 2016, 08:12:01 AM

Wow. I know the kit - a friend bought one and has shunned from taking on it until today - and it's impressive what became of it. Whiffie nomination well deserved - if it is not for Best Prop or Biplane, then it's "Best Stunt".

nönöbär · April 18, 2016, 11:22:08 AM

Thanks for you nice words

I was close to throw the plane out of the window at one point. It took me 5 attempts to add the upper wing on the right position. And not forget the wireing. I think the next bi-plane will be quite a while away now...

sandiego89 · April 18, 2016, 08:54:18 PM

Well done. How did your Corsair sneak into German service?

nönöbär · April 18, 2016, 10:10:26 PM

Quote from: sandiego89 on April 18, 2016, 08:54:18 PM
Well done. How did your Corsair sneak into German service?

The Corsair? Well this is another What-If story... http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,36256.msg582333.html#msg582333

(Ok, the real reason was, I wanted to test the Camo and the Corsair was the first 1€ model I got on ebay at that time to test it

)

jcf · April 18, 2016, 10:43:22 PM

Quote from: NARSES2 on April 18, 2016, 07:24:48 AM
I've seen that kit on sale a few times and always managed to stop myself from handing over cash. I think it's the first one I've seen built and all I can say is knowing what Pavla kits can be like you have done a tremendous job with her

Built the 1/72 vac (Rareplanes or AIRMODEL don't recall) 35+ or so years ago, it finally Kamikazed onto
a US carrier model. There was much gasoline and fire.

PR19_Kit · April 19, 2016, 05:19:02 AM

Quote from: joncarrfarrelly on April 18, 2016, 10:43:22 PM
Quote from: NARSES2 on April 18, 2016, 07:24:48 AM
I've seen that kit on sale a few times and always managed to stop myself from handing over cash. I think it's the first one I've seen built and all I can say is knowing what Pavla kits can be like you have done a tremendous job with her

Built the 1/72 vac (Rareplanes or AIRMODEL don't recall) 35+ or so years ago, it finally Kamikazed onto
a US carrier model. There was much gasoline and fire.

If it was the Airmodel kit, RESPECT!

It was diabolical, even the wing halves were different spans and chords!