Horten XVIIIc

[StuartA]

Some sources call this suffix b as it was supposedly the second of the three design iterations
From what I can gather,when the Hortens design was accepted it was farmed out to various aircraft companies for manufactur.They weren't happy with the original tailless design and came up with this as an alternative.Therefore I shall designate it'c' for committee

 

[StuartA]

The model was designed by the same guy who did my XVIIIb,3DRhino.He used images from a resin kit I found online,and drawings from Luft46.
The third pic are the parts which should be printing as I type.Those outlined in orange are all printed separately

 

[StuartA]

At long last the parts have arrived !The designer wasn't happy with the u/c components so between us we have tweaked the design and he is reprinting them.
'I've a lot going on this weekend so it will be well into next week before I make a start

 

[Gnomey]

Nice work so far!

 

[StuartA]

I gave the main components a sand with 80 grit to take the shine off,then skimmed them with a filler of primer and talc.

 

[Wurger]

 

[StuartA]

Time to assemble the main components.
Masking tape to hold the wing in position while I used Zap to fix them.
Just shy of 500mm span.Sanding is next.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

50cm, that's quite a large build.

 

[StuartA]

I'm making a collection of all the Horten brothers powered designs from WWII.One more of the XVIII designs and the IX after this one.
I'm reduced to one good eye and arthritic hands,hence the simple 3D prints.1/48 scale worked out too expensive and 1/32 was too small,so I compromised on 1/60.

 

[Gnomey]

Good work so far!

 

[StuartA]

I'm running short of suitable sanding paper,so I've been doing some bits and pieces until it arrives.
I taped down a length of masking tape sticky side up to hold the engine covers and gear doors whilst I painted them.
I've also cut some wood blocks that will eventually be drilled out to hold the u/c legs.Before that they will come in handy for aligning the doors for the main gear.The nose gear doors sit in a recess in the side wall.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Gnomey]

Nicely done so far!

 

[StuartA]

A coat of primer/talc filler applied and sanded off.Then a thin undercoat,lightly sanded.Then the underside had 2 coats of light sky blue acrylic.
Next is fitting the nacelles and gear doors,followed by touching up where necessary and matt varnish.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Nice neat and even paint finish.

 

[Gnomey]

Looks good so far!

 

[StuartA]

Thanks guys.
Nacelles glued in place.I only fitted one set of gear doors,before I realised they would be vulnerable without the gear installed.
I decided to have a change from my usual colour scheme and do a desert camo. A couple of coats of Naples yellow acryli,then the tedious job of masking.
I also painted the aft end of the tail yellow,the area up to the wing root will be red.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

I like the masking.

 

[StuartA]

Thanks.I start with a pencil outline of the wing,then draw in the camo shapes.These are then transferred freehand onto strips of masking tape laid on plastic sheet.When cut out these can be peeled off and stuck in place.
The patterns/shapes are just to give a rough idea of the scheme.