Jadg Flugzeug J40(S) Fledermaus

[Queeg]

Jadg Flugzeug J40(S) Fledermaus

A really old project here, it's been languishing in a semi finsihed state for far too long.
As part of my current drive to finish things I've dusted it off and will finish it ... I will .... promise ....honest!

Just to mix things up I'm changing the design a little with the intention of converting it to 1/48th.
Nothing fancy as there was only a cockpit rework in mind. Being short on spares I salvaged a cockpit from an old AMT Apache.


First steps .........







Up on it's feet now and ready for the main construction

[taiidantomcat]

This is really exciting I have been looking a lot at Ma.K stuff lately (trying to kind of absorb its style) Nice job with the Apache Cockpit

[GTX_Admin]

Maybe submit here

[Queeg]

Maybe submit here

It'd be tight to get it finished ...... hmmmm .... thinking ....... not for want of wishful thinking ........ tricky.

I'll ponder it for a while, haven't touched the SEA5 in a week and I do need to get that one squared away ......

[Brian da Basher]

Wow that kit looks like a whiff right out of the box!

That new 'pit looks like it was made to go with the model. You've got a good eye, Queeg!

I'm going to enjoy watching this one.

Brian da Basher

[Old Wombat]

Damn, now you've got me thinking about doing a similar conversion with my 2nd Falke!

It was already going to be modded into a recon. bird, by modifying the Excimer laser cannon into a recon pod (coz I screwed up on my 1st build & destroyed its gatling & had to pinch the gatling from the 2nd kit), but a 2-seater in 1/48th?

Oh, man, thanks for that!

Nice build, by the way! Love (most) Ma.K & this looks good!

:)

Guy

[GTX_Admin]

Might have to copy this idea!

[Queeg]

Some more cockpit work ......... firstly a mock up of the nose cockpit area.
The look almost reminds me of an FW Sturmbock.

This Fledermaus is destined for someone else so while I was waiting for his thoughts on the nose I did some primering.
Added panels to mask off the airbrake bins and engine intakes and slopped a bit of black around to hide the lack of detail.
Had to fit the landing gear to get teh fit and sit correct. It's a bit ealry for my likeing as they're pretty fragile.
I'll just have to be a little more careful than normal ....... jeeze I haven't done a "real" aircraft model in years .....


FW nose mockup




Cockpit test fitted and undercoated





Interior blanking fitted and blacked

[taiidantomcat]

That Canopy looks Great!  Really clever idea!

[GTX_Admin]

That Canopy looks Great!  Really clever idea!

Agreed.

[Buzzbomb]

This is really working up quite nicely

[Camthalion]

interesting looking beastie.  Very nice work

[jschmus]

This build is giving me ideas, but to carry them out I need to first acquire one of these:
http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN967077/Gun

[Queeg]

That Canopy looks Great!  Really clever idea!

Yeah I liked it, the new owner doesn't as he wants the std canopy fitted.
On the plus side I can use the "FW" style nose on my own 'Maus.

Cockpit fully mocked up and painted, pics are a bit rough for some reason, I'm claiming technical difficulties ..... 
Plus I can get a decent Apache donor as the detail on the 'pit is showing it's age.






And here it is with the std canopy. It still looks pretty sharp, and would cause a double take for anyone familiar with the orig kit scale .....

[ysi_maniac]

Looks brilliant indeed!

[Old Wombat]

Gotta say I prefer the original Fledermaus canopy, the nose looks all wrong with the Apache lid.

Still liking it!

:)

Guy

[raafif]

interesting nose conversion.  Kow hates the Fled. (not his design) but I luv it

Always did think the lift bells were too big & would cause so much drag ! - apparently in the cartoons they swivel backwards to add forward thrust.

[Queeg]

interesting nose conversion.  Kow hates the Fled. (not his design) but I luv it

Always did think the lift bells were too big & would cause so much drag ! - apparently in the cartoons they swivel backwards to add forward thrust.

Yeah I read that it wasn't a fav of his, I'm the same as you I think it's a great looker, aside from some of the aero features!
I wished the gear retracted, the side legs could be semi retractable and tuck inwards easily.
I also think it'd look good with the thrust bells replaced with two in wing lift fans .....

[taiidantomcat]

Love all the colors in the Cockpit! How long did that take? its looks wonderful 

[Brian da Basher]

That's some mighty fine detail work on the 'pit! Sure looks the real deal!

Brian da Basher

[Queeg]

Love all the colors in the Cockpit! How long did that take? its looks wonderful 

That's some mighty fine detail work on the 'pit! Sure looks the real deal!
Brian da Basher

Thnx guys, it defo look better in real life but I wish now I'd got some decent harnesses! (shhh it's not for me though so time is money)

As for time it took a couple of hours I'd guess, in between waiting for the base coat to dry which is Humbrol enamel, details are acrylic as usual for me.
The longest part was getting it to sit right. I made fuselage templates and then cut scrap resin plugs to match. I didn't want too much space visable from the top down.
A few cables and hoses will clutter up any gaps though.

Brent

[Queeg]

Bit more cockpit outfitting.

Added a cover over the avionics package fwd of the cockpit tub (eg something to hide the big gap lol) and some extra pipework down the sides.

Brent

[Old Wombat]

Looking good!

Gotta get those empty spaces filled or they never look right, do they.

:)

Guy

[finsrin]

Missed a lot of postings lately.  Hope to catch up.
Busy and computer is in the shop.  Using borrowed one.
Such a build this is !      Interior and internal work is thought out & laid out well  :)
Looking forward to more pictures.

[GTX_Admin]

Busy and computer is in the shop.  Using borrowed one.

Tell the truth Bill…your stash fell on you didn't it and you have been trapped calling for help...

[Queeg]

Busy and computer is in the shop.  Using borrowed one.

Tell the truth Bill…your stash fell on you didn't it and you have been trapped calling for help...

Yeah in a very small voice lest the wfie come in to render assisstance and realise the true size of it ......... 


Basecoat on ...... camo planning in hand.

Brent

[chukw]

Super-freakin' cool, man!   

[Queeg]

Work on the camo ..... not a lot to see. Like a moth it'll transform (hopefully) as the weathering blends out the brushed faux spray paint.

cheers
Brent

[Queeg]

Another slow build grinding to completion. Shading the top deck ........... with acyrlics and inks. 
I'm about ready to hunt out some decals and/or masks. As I don't know jack about aircraft decals this will be a grind ......

[Brian da Basher]

Wow the added weathering really blended in the camo nicely!

This is shaping up to be a real prize-winner!

I've got a hunch you'll sort out some wonderfully complementary decals, Mr Queeg.

Brian da Basher

[Tophe]

How would you classify this marvel in the family of aircraft?

[Queeg]

How would you classify this marvel in the family of aircraft?

Now there's a question !!!!

I guess aerodynamics weren't an issue when they decided on those big underwing thrust bowls    So the vetol part is easy but after that ? it's either a low level strike/ ground attack figther or the thrust is used for vectoring when dogfighting .....

[Old Wombat]

Looking good, dude! :)

I've always thought of it as a "hopper", rather than a plane, using the bottom thrusters to pop it up above the tree line to attack/observe, then cutting power to drop back down again & skimming away on the down-blast with the rear engine pushing it along just above the ground.

[Weaver]

It's an air vehicle?  Knowing almost nothing about Ma.K, I always assumed it was a space hopper/moon hopper of some kind, since it looks more Space 1999 than Ma.K....

Anyway, fantasic build Queeg: the paint looks really good. 

[elmayerle]

I'd agree that it looks like something built for space to airless-surface operations.

That's a beautiful build, there.

[Old Wombat]

There are space designs in Ma.K but the Fledermaus isn't one of them.

[finsrin]

Certainly applied a lotta imagineering       Finish look so correct for what ever it is
"Hopper" is a fitting name :)
Could hop up to observe or fire then drop back behind a hill or cover.
Picture Hopper hovering up a foot or two in ground effect at partial throttle and blast rear rocket to zip around.

[taiidantomcat]

That paint is excellent! love the weathering you added as well. I'm envious, great looking model 

[elmayerle]

Certainly applied a lotta imagineering       Finish look so correct for what ever it is
"Hopper" is a fitting name :)
Could hop up to observe or fire then drop back behind a hill or cover.
Picture Hopper hovering up a foot or two in ground effect at partial throttle and blast rear rocket to zip around.

Hmm, that could describe a vehicle for operation in a thin atmosphere that wouldn't support rotary-winged vehicles (Mars-like planets, for example); you'd need direct lift yet you wouldn't need the full pressurization and sealing required for airless operations.