…I think it’s close enough. I wanted my next project to be my Revell Germany 1/72 Bv 222, a kit that I can leasurely stretch out across the winter (I can’t do much painting over the winter, so modelling kinda slows down…). Before I build the kit, however, I wanted to find a way to display it. I’m not ambitious enough to do a large-scale water diorama, and I don’t think I could ever get water realistic enough for my taste. I really don’t like to hang my models, either, and where I would have to hang it doesn’t have that much headroom, anyway. I didn’t want to build a stand, either. The resin Dockwagen kit offered by CMK looked really cool, but I didn’t really want to spend almost $25 on a simple displayer. What was I gonna do?
Well, I was lucky enough to stumble across a set of relatively comprehensive plans of the beaching trolley on the internet. After looking them over, I realized that it wouldn’t be too difficult to simply make my own dockwagen, using sheet plastic stock and some I-beam pieces (along with other assorted bits and pieces…). I picked up some supplies the other day, and apart from getting the wrong size I-beams, construction so far has been relatively smooth. Here’s what I got so far:
These are the side bulkheads. After this I’ll start on the underside, making the frame that everything’s going to rest on out of the (correct sized) I-beams.
As handy and time saving as aftermarket materials are, sometimes it’s just gotta be done right! [tup] …and it looks like you’re doing it that way, Bravo!
Back in the day there were no aftermarket resources, and it was amazing to see what serious modelers could come up with, from things they could scrounge up around the house. Besides, putting it together like this, you have the satisfaction of knowing there’s none other just like it… exept the real thing of course [:D]
“But, doesn’t aftermarket material save you trouble?” “Only if you’d rather spend less time modeling.” [:)]
Thanks for the comments, Frank and Darwin. I tend to shy away from resin kits, mostly because of the price tag. And because they actually make I-beam stock, it saves me a LOT of otherwise difficult scratchbuilding. Most of the difficult countour pieces (the actual cradle that holds the Bv 222 hull) are going to be shaped out of balsa, both because it’s easier to sand than plastic, and those parts are supposed to be wood, anyway.
Who knows? If this works out halfway decent, I might make a docking trolley for my Spruce Goose, too! [:D] (But let’s not get ahead of myself. I need to finish it first! [sigh])
Okay, I was finally able to get some I-beam stock and begin work on the frame for the dockwagen. This requred a bit more work than the sides, but looks a lot cooler! [8D]
There’s 22 pieces in this assembly alone. (That’s more parts than some kits I’ve put together!)
This isn’t glued yet, just posed for photo purposes. Flip it over (mentally), and this the dockwagen basically completed. (Sorry for the photo quality. It was taken rather quickly, in bad lighting)
Here’s it posed on the Bv 222. The sides will hide this detail from the top, but the ribs will be visible on the bottom. I’m going to wait until this frame is completely dry (a day or two) before sanding it down a bit and gluing on the sides.
Mike, looking good, after comparing the drawings and photo’s you posted links to, the resin kit is not made quite the same. The kit pieces all need to straightened as well, a couple of them are warped in two directions. I may end up bashing the kit. I need to dig out my 222 and see how the kit fits to the hull. I think you made a good choice to go scratch !
Nice work, guys, from the looks of the drawings on the links, was the trolly powered?
One point, was this typical of the german war effort, spending huge amounts of effort & engineering on what was ultimately a pointless bit of kit?
I mean, all the US & british ambhibs, inc the 4 engined sunderland, had wheels built in…
Hmmm, those German Armour guys, getting all het up about the correct colour schemes for a ‘Staurer Emil’ (large calibre gun on old panzer chassis), & resined, & P/E’ed, which in the end ONLY 2 were BUILT!
Yes, I’d say it is true. Hitler didn’t enderstandmodern warfare, so he insisted on massive railguns and fantastic weaponry that turned out to be easy meat for the allies. He also insisted on the bomber Me-262 (thank God) instead of the fighter Me-262, and had the fighter been produced mor4e, the war could have easily lasted until 1946. One small nit pick though, the Sunderland wasn’t amphibious.
Many seaplanes had some type of docking trolley (The Sunderland included). I don’t remember what was largest amphibian the Allies had, or event their largest straight seaplane, but I can guarentee the Bv 222 was quite a bit larger. Landing gear for any aircraft that size would have had to been massive, and heavy. Couple that with the already extremely heavy supports needed to beef up a fuselage into a planing hull, and the fact that the Bv 222 was underpowered anyway, and I can see why amphibious capablity wasn’t implimented.
As a side note, on the proposed Boeing “Pelican” (an aircraft that, if built, would be at least twice as large as the Spruce Goose) a planing hull was considered, and dropped, simply for weight reasons. A large, multi-wheeled (something like 70 of them) landing gear system was proposed instead. It’s doubtful this’ll ever be built, though. Shame. [:(]
Also, from my knowledge, the trolley wasn’t powered. I am curious what that eqipment on that one side is for. Some sort of pump, perhaps? I don’t know.
It’s very true that Hitler was a great politician (insert joke here), but a terrible general or commander. The war started going south for Germany right around the time he finally gained complete control of the Weirmacht (the army. I know I spelled it wrong). Germany had the innovation. Thankfully they didn’t have the brains the know how to impliment it correctly.
Anyway, the sides are now on. Next up are the railings and supports for the service walkways. Stay tuned!
Thanks for your comments Lucien, interesting,
I didn’t know how big it was compared to the Sunderland, anybody got comparison data?
I think part of the tactical problem was that they didn’t have a lot of coastline to use it effectively, or what?
I do remember building the Airfix Sunderland as a kid, the main wheels & landing struts, ‘clipped on’ the side, with a 4-wheel, single-axle beaching trolley, with windows under the wing so bomb racks could be charged from within the plane…
Mine was ‘lost at sea’ in the local park lake, after a ‘forced landing’ & conker bombardment.
Quote: Weirmacht = Wehrmacht, close! lol!
keep up the good work
Largest (by wingspan) allied flying boat of the WW II era, the JRM Mars (wingspan of almost 61m). Two examples are still flying today as waterbombers in Canada. It’s also the largest of all flying boats in WW II. Second largest is the Bv 238, at 60.2m wingspan. There are a few more 1930’s era flying boats on the list at 48+m, and then the Bv 222 clocks in at about 46m. Don’t know what the largest amphibian would be - my list doesn’t have that info. The Sunderland wingspan was about 34.4m.
Largest flying boat overall was of course the Spruce Goose (97.5m) followed in distant second by the Saunders-Roe Princess (66.9m).
Ok, I began work on the side railings, and got one about 85% finished. (I used small diameter brass rod)
Sections were glued with superglue and fixed with two part epoxy.
Fits like a charm!
This project is really shaping up. Unfortunately, I ran out of brass wire, and the only place that sells it is too far away. I’m already painfully short in the financial department, so until I get a bit more cash this is what it’s gonna look like for a while.
On the bright side, this means I can start on the Bv 222 itself. I’ve got the paint, so I can at least begin prepping all the interior pieces.
Looks great! Looking forward to seeing how the BV 222 turns out as well. I’ve got that kit - I’m about to start on the cockpit of the BV 238 - I don’t have any decent references, so I’ll be using the BV 222 cockpit as a basis for the 238’s.
You always pick great subjects man, I look forward to seeing them all the time. I haven’t stripped my B36 yet, but the weather is getting cold on me so I better do it soon. Pictures still in my camera as well.
Thanks once again, Bruce, Wilbur, and Swanny. Your comments are very appreciated, as always.
You’ll be happy to know that today, I prepped the interior parts of the Bv 222 by spraying them with primer, while still on the sprues. If the temperature gives me a break I can begin airbrushing the RLM 02. All of the smaller detailing can be done inside. If I do any more, I’ll be sure to start another topic.
Just because I ran out of brass doesn’t mean work stops! (Speakin’ of which, I’m about 90% finished with the tail of my Spruce Goose, and am almost ready to glue on the rudder)
