Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Acree on May 23, 2014, 12:27:54 PM
-
In 1939, the RLM issued a requirement for a new high altitude reconnaissance camera for small reconnaissance aircraft. The camera was required to photograph very large fields with extremely high resolution, and to cover large amounts of territory quickly. Additionally, the camera system was required to be fitted to a fighter-sized aircraft. Carl Zeiss AG produced the Vierlinsen Periskopischen Aufklärungs Anlage (VLPAA-1). The VLPAA-1 consisted of two very long wing-mounted pods, each containing one long-focal length camera with a periscopic lens at the aft end. The periscopic lens could rotate to two different positions. During operations, the system used an intervalometer to automatically rotate the periscopic lenses to take overlapping photos of a very large swath of earth. Using this system, a fighter-sized reconnaissance aircraft could take detailed photographs of entire cities or industrial complexes very rapidly.
In 1941, Messerschmitt AG was tasked by the RLM with developing a high-altitude version of the Bf 109 to carry the VLPAA-1 system over British and Russian industrial areas. The development program eventually resulted in an aircraft that bore little commonality with or resemblance to the Bf 109, and so the aircraft was redesignated Me 168. Only a small number of Me 168 were produced, and all served with strategic reconnaissance units.
Shown here is T5+CA, an Me 168B-2 operated by the Fernaufklärungsgruppe des Oberbefehlshabers der Luftwaffe (AufklGrp OB der Lw). T5+CA was used primarily over Russia, but at least a few sorties were also flown over Britain. In the photos you can see the four camera windows (two in the aft portion of each camera pod). You can also see the aft-fuselage-mounted turbocharger which both turbocharged the engine and powered the compressor for the cabin pressurization. Note also the cowl-mounted machine guns: these were the only armament carried by the Me 168, but there is no recorded instances of an Me 168 firing its guns in anger, and in fact they typically froze up at high altitude at any rate. Fortunately for the Me 168 pilots, their extreme high altitude (49,000 ft +) meant that they were never intercepted over their targets, though a few Me 168s were caught by enemy fighters during climbouts and descents. Me 168s continued to serve in the strategic reconnaissance role until the final defeat of Germany.
The model: 1/72 scale – HobbyBoss Easy Assembly Bf 109E-4 – fuselage, horizontal stabilizers; Spitfire V- wing center section, landing gear; Fw 190 – outer wings, prop/spinner; P-47D – vertical stabilizer/rudder. VLPAA-1 pods were made from gun pods from the Hasegawa modern weapons set (front and rear) and the barrel of a Bic disposable pens (center section), with clear plastic packaging (painted black) for the camera windows. The turbocharger system was made from the following bits: sprue (exhaust piping), the face of a rocket launcher pod (mounted backwards – turbo), a portion of a drop tank (portside cabin airscoop), and a piece of tubing from the inside of the Bic pen (exhaust pipe outlet). The canopy was a vac-form canopy from an Me-410.
I had trouble with this model it two areas - first in getting the pods aligned properly - I always notice in other people's models when things are misaligned even a little. After this, I will never criticize again - it's REALLY hard to get things lined up right. Next time I will build a jig. The other area I had trouble with was the decals. Don't know why, but none of them wanted to stick properly, and they are all stuck on with CA - not ideal!
Anyway, hope you enjoy.
-
Very cool indeed 8), love the backstory :-*, brilliant work on this!! :P ;D
-
Nice one - I'm sure Kit will be along to drool over it shortly... :))
-
That's one wicked looking Messerschmitt! I especially like the steampunk feel the turbo supercharger gives this model and the pods really came out nice!
Brian da Basher
-
Additional photos - with a weak attempt at a "period" look
-
Outstanding! :)
-
Amazing transformation of a Bf-109E!
-
Cool!
Alvis 3.1
-
Ingenious modification and a crackin' good backstory. Beautiful work, Acree!
-
Amazing transformation of a Bf-109E!
Indeed! And your concept for a periscopic lens is dead clever :)
-
Thank you all so much. Your encouragement means a lot to me.
-
Great build - Parts from those various aircraft kitbashed gracefully into a new recon plane :-*
Interesting that you got Spitfire and FW190 wings to combine into one wing so well :)
Fine backstory with those gobblygoky Germans words.