Dornier Do 17 Z - Grandpa's Fighter Plane

[teamski]

Thank you all for your kind feedback!

 

 

 

Yes my friend maybe he served guarding a factory but he probably survived the war I guess and, most important, you had a grandfather.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He died when I was 4 so I didn't have a lot of time with him. Point taken though.

-Ski

 

 

[MECHINF-A15]

Lars,

Very interesting story/history on your grandfather. Thank you for sharing. Now, if I may ask a question. As a Pionier, do you know which Pionier-Btl. he was assigned to in Höxter? 16, 31, 55, 57, Lehr? I had a number of friends (now passed) who were 16er pre-war and during the war.

Very interesting aircraft model as well.

All the best,

Mike

[Proud Kraut]

Mike,

 

Walter served with Pionier-Bataillon Höxter. Referring to the following site this battalion was renamed in Pionier-Bataillon 16 in 1935.

 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/PionierBat/PiBat16-R.htm

 

Here's Walter's declaration of obligation (term?) signed in 1934:

 

[Proud Kraut]

and a close-up of the unit's seal. Bleached out but clearly visible that it has no number at that time.

 

[gwb123]

Larson, do you know the specific code number's for his aircraft, as well as the color scheme? Or are you going to build it with the stock decals that came with the kit?

[MECHINF-A15]

Thank you Lars, I forgot Pionier-Btl. Höxter evolved into Pionier-Btl. 16.

Look forward to seeing more info and photos on both model & Opa.

All the best,

Mike

[Proud Kraut]

Larson, do you know the specific code number's for his aircraft, as well as the color scheme? Or are you going to build it with the stock decals that came with the kit?

 

Gil,

I have some pictures of Walter's early war planes, mostly D17 Z. At this one, Walter is the pilot of a Do 17 with the code "U5" It's the marking of "Kampfgeschwader 2".

 

[Proud Kraut]

I have learned that Nachtjagdgeschwader used completely black painted planes since 1941 I think. In addition the mass of the markings was overpainted with black color as well. Here's a photo of Walter's Ju 88 after a crash landig. His plane was heavily hit be enemy fire and returned back home with one engine. The crew survived without any losses. Note the overpainted markings except the "K". Balkenkreuze on the wings weren't overpanted as well.

 

[Proud Kraut]

For this reasons I don't know the exact markings of his plane but will do the same with the kit. Painting will be started soon.

 

[Proud Kraut]

...

[RustyCanteen]

Very interesting project Lars, and informative to learn about your grandfather.

 

The model is looking great!

[Proud Kraut]

Very interesting project Lars, and informative to learn about your grandfather.

 

The model is looking great!

 

Thanks RC! Meanwhile the Do 17 has received it's first coat of primer.

 

[Proud Kraut]

...

 

[Proud Kraut]

First layer of black acrilyc:

 

 

After airbrushing multiple layers of different black paints:

 

[gwb123]

Nice effect.

[Proud Kraut]

Nice effect.

 

Thanks Gil, after the paint has dried I applyed the decals today. I also started with the small parts like the cockpit, the antenna and the crew of course.

 

[Proud Kraut]

View from the left side.

 

[Proud Kraut]

Friday night I finished Grandpa's night fighter. After applying the decals I sealed the whole plane with multiple layers of matt varnish. The antenna was made of melted sprue. The whole plane received some paintbrushing with grey color. Here's the result.

 

 

 

 

[Proud Kraut]

...I noticed on several pictures that I found in Walter's album and online, that the side markings of the planes were painted over with black color very crudely. Here's a picture of a crashed Ju 88 from grandpa's album. Notice the black paint on the side markings.

 

 

In addition a picture of a Kauz in action. Notice the absence of side markings here as well.

 

 

So I decided to paint over the markings on the model as well excepts his plane's marking, the "K".

 

 

[Josef]

Top-notch. Excellent. You did proud recreating your grandpa's aircraft.

[MECHINF-A15]

Super job Lars!

[The Meatcan]

Looks good Lars! Thanks for sharing those aircraft photos with us too.

​Terry

[BrianD]

Lars, another great model and a very fitting tribute to your grandfathers service! Well done sir.

[gwb123]

Well done.

[Proud Kraut]

Thanks everybody very much for your kind feedback!

 

I built the plane with the Nachtjagdgeschwader insignia because I found several pictures of camoflaged black planes with the wing's emblem and other "noseart". Here are some pictures of Walter's album: