I've been away for a while. I like the site, the goals and subjects, but felt that I would have a hard time coming up with a suitable topic to show here. time does have a way of leading one to these types of subjects.......even if one doesn't realize it. I got into a binge of B 17's starting with the Lindberg kit......I loved the scale size of the model. not long after I had started on it, I heard of the Nine o' Nine crash at Bradley field, in Connecticut.........I tossed out the fictitious decals that came with the kit, and found a set for the Nine o' Nine. doing research on the plane, I happened on the subject of captured aircraft during WWII..........and the secret German Luftwaffe KG 200. at any one time during the KG 200's existence, they captured, repaired and flew, around 20 B 17's, along with a number of other captured aircraft. the first plane recorded to have been captured and flown, was the Wulfe Hound, captured crashed in a French field in 1943 {don't quote me....I'm flying without my notes}. most of the KG 200's missions were reconnaissance and covert transport of saboteurs into enemy territory, but some missions involved bombing naval pens too.......there was another secret unit that handled the bulk of those missions. there wasn't too much to do, as far as modifying the kit, which was a 1:72 Revell kit.....the only change was the elimination of the belly turret. it was damaged beyond use in the crash and at the time, the Germans didn't have the replacement part to repair it. they would utilize and cannibalize future captured planes to keep them flying.
unfortunately, I'll have to read about posting pictures :(
Glad you like the site :thumbsup:
thanks.......just looked at my profile and was amazed with the last time I looked in here. I'm so bad :( I guess my big problem with posting pictures, looks like the fact that I don't use hosting sites.....I store all my pictures. I had bad experiences with those sites, so I keep them in memory sticks. my son just gave me his old external hard drive, so I might transfer all my pictures to it. usually, I dabble with wood models......ships and planes. they are very easy to replicate...I just save the parts panel billets, trace the parts on a sheet of thin plywood {or equivalent basswood sheet}, and cut them out. I can make other hulls from one kit. then I fit them out as I like. lately though, I seem to amass a small stash of plastic kits......of course, going to oldmodelkits as much as I do, doesn't help matters much ;)
I've dealt with a site format like this in the past.......this is the first one that has me baffled. is there another way to add attachments? I'd really like to show some examples of what I do ;)
Yeah Popeye - I am hearin' you. I have no idea on how to post pics either. I don't use those sites either. All my pics are on the computer hard drive.
I remember having a Commando comic many year's ago that featured a captured B-17 that the Germans would join formations of American bombers with, shoot down a few and dive into the clouds before the crews could figure out what's happening.
There was also a novel back in the day (1977, Goggle tells me...yikes!) where the Germans had amassed a full box-worth for a secret mission...
https://www.amazon.com/Kg-200-J-D-Gilman/dp/0380391155
Quote from: Flyer on March 20, 2021, 02:39:09 AM
I remember having a Commando comic many year's ago that featured a captured B-17 that the Germans would join formations of American bombers with, shoot down a few and dive into the clouds before the crews could figure out what's happening.
I had one of those, once, but it was a Lancaster. The pilot was Dutch. He shot the crew, one by one, but only wounded the tail gunner, who managed to parachute away. The aircraft then was painted with a flourescent paint so it'd glow, the weapons replaced with 20mm, and the Dutchman, Anders, was then told he'd be flying it as a night-fighter. He was not happy - he'd wanted to just be paid and slip away to somewhere he could live out his days in luxury, but the Nazis had other plans.
On his first night out, Anders got out of his sector, and was almost shot down by a regular night-fighter. But then he did it again, and this time he was shot down.
I always thought that a funny sort of morality story - mess with Britain, and we'll have the Nazis kill you. ;)
Quote from: Scotaidh on March 29, 2021, 04:29:24 AM
Quote from: Flyer on March 20, 2021, 02:39:09 AM
I remember having a Commando comic many year's ago that featured a captured B-17 that the Germans would join formations of American bombers with, shoot down a few and dive into the clouds before the crews could figure out what's happening.
I had one of those, once, but it was a Lancaster. The pilot was Dutch. He shot the crew, one by one, but only wounded the tail gunner, who managed to parachute away. The aircraft then was painted with a flourescent paint so it'd glow, the weapons replaced with 20mm, and the Dutchman, Anders, was then told he'd be flying it as a night-fighter. He was not happy - he'd wanted to just be paid and slip away to somewhere he could live out his days in luxury, but the Nazis had other plans.
On his first night out, Anders got out of his sector, and was almost shot down by a regular night-fighter. But then he did it again, and this time he was shot down.
I always thought that a funny sort of morality story - mess with Britain, and we'll have the Nazis kill you. ;)
And is his spirit doomed to fly the skies forever, never able to land?
Quote from: zenrat on March 30, 2021, 04:37:18 AM
Quote from: Scotaidh on March 29, 2021, 04:29:24 AM
Quote from: Flyer on March 20, 2021, 02:39:09 AM
I remember having a Commando comic many year's ago that featured a captured B-17 that the Germans would join formations of American bombers with, shoot down a few and dive into the clouds before the crews could figure out what's happening.
I had one of those, once, but it was a Lancaster. The pilot was Dutch. He shot the crew, one by one, but only wounded the tail gunner, who managed to parachute away. The aircraft then was painted with a flourescent paint so it'd glow, the weapons replaced with 20mm, and the Dutchman, Anders, was then told he'd be flying it as a night-fighter. He was not happy - he'd wanted to just be paid and slip away to somewhere he could live out his days in luxury, but the Nazis had other plans.
On his first night out, Anders got out of his sector, and was almost shot down by a regular night-fighter. But then he did it again, and this time he was shot down.
I always thought that a funny sort of morality story - mess with Britain, and we'll have the Nazis kill you. ;)
And is his spirit doomed to fly the skies forever, never able to land?
:D I don't thinks so - that'd be pretty deep for a "Commando"- type magazine (strictly pulp fiction for boys).
Slightly off topic, I also had another commando comic that featured a captured spitfire put to use by the Germans to down Lancaster's, gunners in the Lancaster's got so jumpy that they were shooting at any Spitfire's that came near, which is exactly what the Germans wanted.
Quote from: Scotaidh on March 30, 2021, 05:04:42 AM
Quote from: zenrat on March 30, 2021, 04:37:18 AM
And is his spirit doomed to fly the skies forever, never able to land?
:D I don't thinks so - that'd be pretty deep for a "Commando"- type magazine (strictly pulp fiction for boys).
The old issues of Commando did have some pretty off the wall plots. One story in particular had shapeshifting aliens fighting in human disguise on German and British sides both. Also the Germans used to have death rays, secret moon bases and whatnot back in the day. So yeah, maybe a straight-up ghost story is slightly out of place, as it does not have a science-y type of explanation.
Quote from: Snowtrooper on March 30, 2021, 01:13:28 PM
Quote from: Scotaidh on March 30, 2021, 05:04:42 AM
Quote from: zenrat on March 30, 2021, 04:37:18 AM
And is his spirit doomed to fly the skies forever, never able to land?
:D I don't thinks so - that'd be pretty deep for a "Commando"- type magazine (strictly pulp fiction for boys).
The old issues of Commando did have some pretty off the wall plots. One story in particular had shapeshifting aliens fighting in human disguise on German and British sides both. Also the Germans used to have death rays, secret moon bases and whatnot back in the day. So yeah, maybe a straight-up ghost story is slightly out of place, as it does not have a science-y type of explanation.
There again, AIUI they've changed a lot recently, now we're in the 'Brave New World' and a lot of the subject matter isn't acceptable any longer...
Quote from: Scotaidh on March 30, 2021, 05:04:42 AM
Quote from: zenrat on March 30, 2021, 04:37:18 AM
Quote from: Scotaidh on March 29, 2021, 04:29:24 AM
Quote from: Flyer on March 20, 2021, 02:39:09 AM
I remember having a Commando comic many year's ago that featured a captured B-17 that the Germans would join formations of American bombers with, shoot down a few and dive into the clouds before the crews could figure out what's happening.
I had one of those, once, but it was a Lancaster. The pilot was Dutch. He shot the crew, one by one, but only wounded the tail gunner, who managed to parachute away. The aircraft then was painted with a flourescent paint so it'd glow, the weapons replaced with 20mm, and the Dutchman, Anders, was then told he'd be flying it as a night-fighter. He was not happy - he'd wanted to just be paid and slip away to somewhere he could live out his days in luxury, but the Nazis had other plans.
On his first night out, Anders got out of his sector, and was almost shot down by a regular night-fighter. But then he did it again, and this time he was shot down.
I always thought that a funny sort of morality story - mess with Britain, and we'll have the Nazis kill you. ;)
And is his spirit doomed to fly the skies forever, never able to land?
:D I don't thinks so - that'd be pretty deep for a "Commando"- type magazine (strictly pulp fiction for boys).
I dunno. I thought they would be familiar with The Flying Dutchman. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Dutchman)
Quote from: zenrat on March 31, 2021, 04:15:41 AM
Quote from: Scotaidh on March 30, 2021, 05:04:42 AM
Quote from: zenrat on March 30, 2021, 04:37:18 AM
Quote from: Scotaidh on March 29, 2021, 04:29:24 AM
Quote from: Flyer on March 20, 2021, 02:39:09 AM
I remember having a Commando comic many year's ago that featured a captured B-17 that the Germans would join formations of American bombers with, shoot down a few and dive into the clouds before the crews could figure out what's happening.
I had one of those, once, but it was a Lancaster. The pilot was Dutch. He shot the crew, one by one, but only wounded the tail gunner, who managed to parachute away. The aircraft then was painted with a flourescent paint so it'd glow, the weapons replaced with 20mm, and the Dutchman, Anders, was then told he'd be flying it as a night-fighter. He was not happy - he'd wanted to just be paid and slip away to somewhere he could live out his days in luxury, but the Nazis had other plans.
On his first night out, Anders got out of his sector, and was almost shot down by a regular night-fighter. But then he did it again, and this time he was shot down.
I always thought that a funny sort of morality story - mess with Britain, and we'll have the Nazis kill you. ;)
And is his spirit doomed to fly the skies forever, never able to land?
:D I don't thinks so - that'd be pretty deep for a "Commando"- type magazine (strictly pulp fiction for boys).
I dunno. I thought they would be familiar with The Flying Dutchman. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Dutchman)
Of that I've no doubt, Fred, so far as the staff of Commando were concerned. Their target clientele. though? Ah hae m' doots.
I first read things like Commando back in the early 60's when they were simply lengthened versions of the stories you read in Victor etc every week. Straight forward, simple WWII War stories. It all appears to have got a lot more complicated since :angel:
I haven't heard of the commando comics you mention.......I was a big fan of Magnus the Robot fighter :) yea.....from what I gather here, you need permission to post pictures. it's too bad......all I want to do is post some of my work. since I last posted about the Wulfe hound, I have built another from the book. it's a B 24 Liberator called Sunshine...it was the second B 24 captured by the Germans. the first B 24 captured was the Blonde Bomber II. I had a third plane on the slate, but I've missed two opportunities to buy the kit.....I'm still on the look out. the KG 200 did capture planes of other nations too......yea, they had Spitfires and a few other planes by the British.
I also recently happened onto some information on the German rail gun Leopold, that was too interesting to pass up. I had purchased the Hasegawa kit of Leopold in 1:72 scale. I'm about half way with it's assembly.....research taking up some of the time. in the info I found so far, there was talk of mechanizing the rail gun. this likely took place after the siege at Anzio......Leopold and another rail gun called Richard was sent to Italy, to aide in the siege, but never made it out after they were found not to be as effective as planned. they expended their ammo and were moved to the coast, but the allies caught up to them. this caused the Germans to abandon escape and scuttled the guns. Richard was totally destroyed, but Leopold was left mostly intact. from this loss, plans to mechanize the rail gun began development. the info gave me a head start.....they intended to use Tiger II tanks to give it mobility over terrain. this would expand the effectiveness of the big gun, seeing that there were more roads than rail tracks. I got a pair of 1:72 scale Tiger II tanks for Christmas {thanks Santa}. there wasn't a lot of modification to do......close up the hole for the turrets, and create a way to hook up the gondola to them. Hasegawa didn't help much in this respect...not much detail with the couplings and most of it was molded detail at that. what I did. was base the couplings as seen on tractor trailers, a fifth wheel and king pin. giving the fifth wheel enough clearance for the exhaust and anything else that might impede operation, the mods were made and the chassis painted. I think they came out quite well....although now that I see it in the flesh, I think the gondola is a bit too long for the application....it does appear that it might be a bit unstable......I think the gondola should be shortened. but I kept in mind that it was all about what this would have looked like, rather than how functional it would have been....I wasn't going to modify the gondola too, seeing that it is part of the original model. I can scratch build another gondola, or even buy a second kit, if I feel the urge to fine tune it.......it's still up in the air, at the moment { I can just hear my wife now........."you wanna -WHAT?!?!?!?!"} TOO FUNNY!
sadly, I'm unable to show any pictures......let alone start a separate log on it. what would be the use >shrug<
Quote from: Popeye on February 14, 2022, 08:02:09 AM
sadly, I'm unable to show any pictures......let alone start a separate log on it. what would be the use >shrug<
The use would be to keep engaged, keep the juices flowing, raise your spirits, (insert any other hackneyed self-help guru motivational phrase here), etc. Nothing wrong with a little ego boost, the past few years have got us all staring around like "WHAT THE HELL CAN HAPPEN NEXT?!" Perhaps the greatest thing about What if? is that you can do anything you like, and it's hard for people to say "That's wrong." You want to have solar panels invented decades earlier, and build an electrically powered Sopwith Camel? Go ahead! And the pictures can be taken on a phone, no need for a pro set-up. That's how I do most of mine.
Back to the bench, for the sake of therapy. :thumbsup:
I like the therapy part ;) I'll never be daunted though...although solar panels on a Sopwith might be pushing it LOL! besides, I think that might make the Brits angry {we just desecrated one of their planes}. I think it's great when you buy a model kit and see other applications for it....that's what I look for. I also build wooden boats.......I was assembling the Billing Boats kit of the Boulogne Etaples, and while doing the hull frame, all I could think of, is how I could build the Andrea Gail from it. well sir......so I did! using the instructions from both of the Billing kits, I scratched together the Andrea Gail. it scared me just how close to their model I got.....although trust me......the measurements are not exact. I do that now to most of the wood kits I get......save the parts panels, trace out just the hull parts, and clone new hulls. I then turn them into whatever I want. similar with the Sergal Thermopylae........I cloned the hull with the intent to build a Cutty Sark in the same scale. then I started to think....what would it look like built as a battle ship? ....a Clipper Battle Ship......boasting three main guns, bofos or Pom Poms perhaps....wind and screw propelled......interesting. I made the three main guns - 3 barreled and the forward structure....the hull is planked and sanded, I've laid the deck platform, but have not planked it as yet {I may just paint}. I'm not a big what iffer........but I do like to modify and go out of the box. there is a formula.....probable, but functional.......possible, but something not usually seen in a model.
I keep all my pictures on flash drives......not a big fan of hosting sites. I feel I can access them faster, and I size them down, so not to take up a lot of space. bad experiences and lost pictures were enough to make me stay away from these sites, not to mention the debacle with one a few years ago.
I joined the site, because of the freedom I see exercised.......I also am one that believes that there are more to life than books. I rather be at the table, than wearing groove lines in calipers and slide rulers. I do however like to do pieces that are probable.....such as the case of the rail gun. a friend of mine posted a drawing of what it would look like, on the site I where posted a log on it. what I've seen here so far has been really good......lot of thought has gone into these creations. I haven't had a lot of time to devote to this site.....the usual distractions. I will have to post more and hopefully the ability will be awarded to me :) one really has to see a mechanized rail gun.....it really looks cool! in the meantime though, I will get the rest of the top deck on and camo paint it like the tanks, so it will look more uniform. thanks for look'in in!....appreciate the feedback
Quote from: Popeye on February 15, 2022, 08:49:08 AMI also build wooden boats.......I was assembling the Billing Boats kit of the Boulogne Etaples, and while doing the hull frame, all I could think of, is how I could build the Andrea Gail from it. well sir......so I did! using the instructions from both of the Billing kits, I scratched together the Andrea Gail.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: