Mistel English

One of the most unique weapons used in World War II was the Mistel (mistletoe) . It was a self-propelled pilotless flying bomb using the Junkers Ju 88 airframe. The nose crew compartment of the Ju 88 was replaced by a massive hollow charge warhead specially designed to destroy heavy targets. The Mistel was guided to the vicinity of this target by a mother aircraft (BF 109 or FW 190 ) mounted in his back by means of a pair of tripods and a tail support struts. Then the mother aircraft releaser the Mistel when it comes to a proper distance from the target and returns to the base after setting the Mistel`s auto-pilot toward the target. The Mistel 2 was the second version of the series using the Ju 88 G-1 airframe and a FW 190 A-6 or F-8 was coupled as its mother aircraft.

The kit I am a great fan of 1/48 DRAGON KITS, due to the quality of the moulding, the level of detail , and the comprehensive instructions. I bought this Mistel 2 in 1993 , but I assembled it few years ago. When I first opened the big box, I was very impressed by the enormous quantity of injection molded parts (over 290 ) and the expensive decal sheet, which provides markings for three different models; the moldings have well executed engraved panels lines. Two aircraft are included: a FW190 F-8 and a JU 88 G-1. The Junkers 88 have an interchangeable nose section to build either trainer version (Mistel S 2) or flying bomb version (Mistel 2), with three versions of hollow-charge warheads. The JU 88 interiors includes instruments panel, seats, control column and side panel details; but no photo- etched parts (like seat belts or harnesses); the landing gear details are goods. Except for a few minor fit problems , Dragon´s Ju 88 G kit in this scale is a beauty . In the case of the FW 190 F-8, the cockpit interior is very good, and the fully detailed sliding canopy is a gem for this scale. Some reviewers have reported problems with the fit of the wings and fuselage parts, but my kit had no such problems. The fit was excellent, and I only use bare minimum of filler. There is same unorthodox design in the Mistel kit, making it necessary to follow the detailed instructions closely and carefully. The 33 steps instructions sheet shows the assembly of FW 190 (steps 1 to 5) and Ju 88 G-1 assembly (steps 16 to 32) ; the last step 33 shows the final assembly between both aircraft. An entire page of painting and markings drawings shows the top, bottom and left side of model.

Painting

I painted the FW 190 with 1944 standard scheme for Germans fighters: RLM dark gray 74/75 in upper wings and fuselage surfaces, and RLM light gray for fuselage sides, tile and under surfaces with mottled dark gray on the sides. Spinner in RLM 70 dark green and propeller blades in black. The JU 88 have the standard scheme for night fighters: entire spraying of RLM 76, with two-toned gray continuous wavy lines in the upper wings surfaces, fuselage, stabilizer and tail (this particular camouflage not to be in the instructions sheet).

Conclusion

Dragon recommended Gunze Sangyo paints, but I use Tamiya´s enamels. I spent about two months on my Mistel, 1/3 of these on painting due to the complicated camouflage scheme.