1/32 Bachem Ba 349 A 'Natter'

Here's my latest project. This has been juggled between baby feeds and between gloss coats on my Hurricane Racer (more on this soon)

I just love the aggressive look of this manned missile







Kit is from FLY models, and is pretty comprehensive. In fact there are 4 possible tail configurations and 3 nose configurations depending on the version being built.

Overall it's a fun little project.

An unusual subject...extremely interesting.

Cheers

Looks fantastic Wayne, what scale is it?
indeed an interesting subject would look cool on the launching ramp.

Yes Wayne it's not a model that many modelers build , but as you sad it's interesting and unusual subject....

Very interesting subject Wayne.

Look forward.

bcauchi wrote:Looks fantastic Wayne, what scale is it?
indeed an interesting subject would look cool on the launching ramp.

It's 1:32 Brian, and I was toying with the idea of making at least part of the launch tower, as it would be too big for this scale.  Dragon make the kit in 1:48 which includes the tower.

Interestingly the aircraft was designed such that it could make use of stripped down pine trees as a basis for a launch tower, making it possible to launch from practically anywhere in Germany.

The only manned flight ended in tragedy for the pilot - Lothar Sieber - as the canopy tore off a few seconds after takeoff, totally screwing the missile's aerodynamics and effectively rendering the small control surfaces useless.  It turned over and smashed into the ground at 800 kph, still under full power.  Lift off to impact took a mere 55 seconds.  It is thought that during this flight he was also the first person to break the sound barrier.



Lothar Sieber: 7th April 1922 - 1st March 1945

Time for an overdue update on this.

This Fly Models kit is pretty comprehensive as it includes 4 different tail configurations, 2 canopies, 2 booster rocket versions 2 noses as well as photo etched and resin detail parts.  It allows you to build practically any version of this daring but desperate design.

However that is where the good news ends as the fit of the parts is far from perfect, but here's the result so far:



The canopy and windshield simply do not fit well together so the canopy will have to stay open.  Still not sure whether to put it next to the plane or in its open position...





Close up of the business end... I still need to fashion some rockets probably from toothpicks





Next step is to finish off the 4 rocket boosters and then the first coat of gloss varnish.

Thanks for watching, comments welcome as always

The sound barrier is not the only thing he broke, poor guy!! Nice work Wayne, a very unusual subject to say the least. how did the canopy open? Was it clipped in place or hinged, like a normal aircraft? If it was just clipped or bolted in place, you could place it near the aircraft and if not, then you can leave it in the open position.

bcauchi wrote:The sound barrier is not the only thing he broke, poor guy!! Nice work Wayne, a very unusual subject to say the least.  how did the canopy open?  Was it clipped in place or hinged, like a normal aircraft?  If it was just clipped or bolted in place,  you could place it near the aircraft and if not, then you can leave it in the open position.

It was hinged at the top so in the open position it would flip 180 degrees and sit on the fuselage. I'm still not sure if I want to display it that way as it kind of ruins the aggressive look which is the main reason I built this in the first place. On the other hand, the way the canopy opens has historical significance as it it thought to be the culprit for the crash and subsequent scrapping of the project.

I would make it open. Makes a lot of sense.

Progress on the booster rockets.

I wanted to replace the kit parts with plastic tubing but unfortunately could not find any with the correct diameter. So I went ahead with the kit items but replaced the photo-etched straps with plastic strips. Now it's just a case of filling and sanding to remove the joint lines.



The brackets have since been painted and fixed to the fuselage.

Nice detailed work Wayne

Nice work Wayne.........