DC Comics 1/72 - Enemy Ace - War in Heaven (Me262 Schwalbe) - FINISHED!

[strobez]

Over at Scalemates there's a bit of a Schwalbe Group build 2021 going on, so I thought I'd play. I've got two in the stash... neither one of which is likely to pop up as a subject on a more respectable modelling site.  I've still got the Leiji Matsumoto jet black with golden skull markings (from The Cockpit series) waiting in the wings, but decided to press my Academy Me262 into service as the amazing jet red Schwalbe from the circa 2001 graphic novel "Enemy Ace - War in Heaven".

For those in the know, Hans von Hammer, aka the 'Enemy Ace" is a WWI german flying ace featured in DC Comics in the mid/late sixties.  Basically a stand-in for the Red Baron, complete with Fokker tri-plane.  I've got plans for that one too, but my imagination was captured by the War in Heaven series which sees the "Hammer of Hell" return to the Luftwaffe during WWII (first in an all-red Bf109... which I've also got plans for).  von Hammer is no friend of the Nazis (and refuses to sport a swastika marking on his plane), but few can resist the call of the sky and the opportunity to fight in heaven once again.

The graphic novel isn't bad, but it gives me all the excuse I need to kick off this project - so who cares? It's still early in the game, so standard construction doesn't really need much commentary. However, I did squeeze in 8g of lead into the nose as per the instructions. While doing that, I ran across some good advice warning against using CA glue.  Apparently it will react with the lead weights over time and eventually produce enough white powder to pop the seams.  So I used white glue instead.

[NARSES2]

Looking forward to this 

[stevehed]

Didn't know about CA and lead. Thanks for that. I've used blue tak and wondered about long term effects after the fuselage was joined.

[su27rules]

 

[strobez]

Wow... don't update for a few days and WHAMMO! you're relegated to the second page. Just like that.

I've heard there are some shape issues with this Academy kit, but it goes together like a breeze. I did add some putty to the joints, but mainly as a reflex action. I'm try to take my time and "get it right" with this build and I'm happy mostly how it's coming along. I did the best I could on the sanding and it seems to have paid off.  I then used Tamiya XF-22 (RLM Gray) as a base coat for the entire plane and then gave it the works with XF-7 (Flat Red).  With a bit of undershading and some panel washing, I really like how the black adds some depth to the red.

The one thing that bugged me though, is I'm missing parts - two bits of the front landing gear. I sacrificed the diagonal support strut to the carpet monster all on my own, but after checking the sprues shot, I realized I never had the side door for the front wheel bay.  Obviously both can be replaced with a bit of scratch building, but what a pain.

[chrisonord]

I like that colour you have  put on it
Chris

[PR19_Kit]

Must have left it out in the rain, it's gone rusty............. 

Looking pretty darn good Greg, even in a big scale for you. 

[kitbasher]

we definitely need a Comics GB!!

[su27rules]

 

[strobez]

Thanks guys. I agree... Comic Book GB! There's a huge wealth of opportunity there.

I'm still plugging away at this one, and added a few of the decals. I also had to scratchbuild a couple of missing pieces (one that I sacrificed to the carpet monster, the other that seems never to have been in the box).

[PR19_Kit]

....... the other that seems never to have been in the box).

Don't you just HATE it when that happens? 

[strobez]

As it turns out, the carpet monster returned my missing landing gear strut... seemingly out of the goodness of its heart.  I'm SURE I swept that floor three times... and then, there it was!

I have a few more touch ups to do before I call this one done, but the major build has been completed at least.

[zenrat]

The red over the preshading looks great.  I may be using it on a model car.

[Dizzyfugu]

That's looking very good. 

[strobez]

Thanks guys. I put the finishing touches on last night.  All in all, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. It's basically the DC Comics version of What If the Red Baron had survived and fought in WWII... who can resist that idea?