1/72 Airmodel Horten Ho VII V-1

by Matthias Simon

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History:

A very unusual design for its time was the Horten Ho VII flying wing. Powered with two 240 hp Argus As 10 c engines this bird should familiarizing pilots with tailless aircraft characteristics. Originally it had been designed as a trainer for the new Horten Ho IX, better known as Gotha Go 229 which was tested late 1944/45.
Although twenty of these aircraft had been ordered only one was completed (V-1) and another one had been nearly completed. The sole Ho VII V-1 is believed to have been test-flown at Oranienburg, where it is known to have been in March 1944.  

The Kit:

A lot of parts..... better not compare it to the older airmodel kit.  In the end easy to build, though I normally do not really love this adhesive-clue modeling :-)

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Most of the kitparts had been pre-painted on their sprues without or with small amount of sanding work. The new molding technology gives nice results, mostly seamless parts. Unfortunately most of the cockpit interior details are not visible anymore once the canopy is closed.
The art is one of the first ones I made.... trying some techniques with my paint program. This might become a new hobby of mine especially if you see so much really nice work online from other artists.

The kit was built out of the box with only some details added as (for example wires for the brakes and for the instruments).

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I used Testors and JPS Colours. The uppersides had been painted RLM 71 dark green. The lower surface with RLM 65 bright blue. Interior, except the instrument panels and seats (RLM 66), had been painted RLM 02. Once more I used TL-Decals for the markings..... I really love them.
In my opinion a nice little bird... now I only need a Go 229 for telling a history of flight :-)
 

best regards

Matthias

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Photos and text © by Matthias Simon http://www.airmodel.de