MarkyM607's Arado 234 ***FINISHED***

[MarkyM607]

Hi, this is my entry for this, bought it at Coningsby BBMF Open Day about three years ago. Have the choice of a B version or a C, the latter with four engines. There is also a possible choice of a C version with a Fi103/V1 Flying Bomb on it's back!. Not sure which to do at the moment!.

[Martin R]

Cool choice of kit - whatever variant you do!

regards,

Martin

[Molly-new]

An excellent choice, looking forward to this one develop, and so many choices in one box, a real classic.

[TimJ]

Nice choice and whichever version you build you'll have some spare engines.

[MarkyM607]

A quick update on this. Going well and quickly (touch wood). Nice enough kit actually but disappointed in one respect.. so small an aircraft!. Thought it would be bigger, seems about Mossie size..

Weight in, thought it would be a tail sitter as it has a nose wheel and main wheels quite far forward.

[MarkyM607]

Bit slow on progress, the promise of getting the Airfix Mk.I Blenheim finished has drawn me away. Have built the jet engines for this and the rocket take off pods, although the latter have solid pylon mounts when I think it should be a framework idea. Still deciding what to do with those. Otherwise more happy with the size of the aircraft now that the engines are ready, makes it look better!!.

[shangos70]

I made one of these years ago, I built it with every option. 4 engines, V1 and bombs, the joys of youth. I have another in a Revell box I keep looking at. Keeping my eye on your build.

[MarkyM607]

Just some pics to show I am doing something!!,


I have also added the engines since these pics, and apologies for the top one being sideways, forgot to turn it on the computer. Will make future pics the right way up!!

[Martin R]

Re the RATO units, you're right that they are supposed to be supported by a framework rather than the solid structure as moulded. I don't see an easy way to improve them. You'd have to remove the solid framework, form the top of the RATO unit somehow (filler?) as it's open, then replace the framework with plastic rod. It'd look a heck of a lot better, though!

regards,

Martin

[MarkyM607]

Thanks for that Martin, I've taken the difficult route and cut the top 'V' part out with some sanding to tidy it up. I've then drilled the two 'side' triangular areas before scraping and sanding them neater as well. Managed the first one very well but pushed my luck with the second and broke a tiny part, which I managed to reattach. Not easy considering the RATO units themselves are about the size of a third of my little finger!. Anyway, just the top gap to fill in.
Course, I've also made it difficult for myself by deciding not to use them originally and not opening up the location holes in the wing!. Will work it out though.
Pics to follow at weekend.

[splash]

That sounds like a cunning plan for the pods, I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

Regards Splash

[MarkyM607]

Here is what I attempted with the RATO pods. A little before and after first to show what I was rambling on about earlier!.

Here are both when done including the damage done to no.2 when I should have left it later in the evening rather than pressing on!.



A bit of white glue to cover the gap in the top of the pod. The second pod has been patched up and will pass inspection!.

[Martin R]

Mark,

That looks miles better already! Should really add something when finished and added to the model.

And as you've got the RATO units on, there's no excuse not to load the thing up to the max with all 4 engines and the V1!!!

regards,

Martin

[MarkyM607]

Hi, Sorry Martin, went for the two engine version so no V1!, mainly because I glued on the longer nose section before realising I couldn't use one for all versions!.
Anyway, some progress, the undersides have also been painted Hum 65 and some pattern adjustment has been done. Will update later.

She's on her wheels and the 10g or so I put in seems to be enough to keep her from tail-sitting.

[Molly-new]

Looking good Mark, and nice work on those RATO units.