Classic Whif - Jet-Powered Me-109

[Faust]

The fun part about modelling is that you can be as exacting or as imaginative as you want to be, depending on the subject. Normally, planes don’t lend themselves to much in the way of imagination, but there are plenty of niche types that offer some creative freedom. A perfect example of that is the realm of “Luft ‘46”. This umbrella covers real and conceptual aircraft that were being designed for the future Luftwaffe before the end of the War in 1945.

Luft ’46 is one of my favourite subtopics, and in fact is the reason I got back into building plane models about 20 years ago. Early on, I couldn’t find a lot of good Luft ’46 kits, but that didn’t stop me from making my own! On perfect example of this is my jet conversion of the ancient (and terrible) Me-109 from Heller/Airfix. This is an old build, but I still like it, and I thought I should share it.

Check it out, and don’t tell me the Germans didn’t come up with weirder ideas!

https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/1-72-messerschmitt-me-709-a-1/

Edited November 4, 2020 by Faust

[64Comet404]

There was a similar design from the USSR, but in real life. I think it was a Yakolev design, but it actually flew until the MiG-15 came into volume production.

[jokar124]

Cool idea, Adam!

Edited November 5, 2020 by jokar124

[stavanzer]

Ken, it is the Yak-15

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakovlev_Yak-15

Notable as one of only two jet planes converted from a piston powered Prop Plane. (the other is the SAAB  21R)

Adam has a good eye for history.

[peteski]

7 hours ago, Faust said:

Check it out, and don’t tell me the Germans didn’t come up with weirder ideas!

Yes they sure had many weird and often revolutionary ideas. There were many prototypes of military hardware discovered after WWII ended.  And their rocket scientists later on became the brains behind U.S. space program designing rockets.

Here is another weird jet-powered prototype. Looks like something out of a Batman movie. Kits of this plane are available.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horten_Ho_229

 

[Mike999]

Another interesting subject.  And good example of making a silk purse...or at least a cotton purse...out of a sow's ear.

One of my favorite Luft '46 subjects is the Arado E.555, also known as the "Amerikabomber" or "New York bomber."  The thing looks like a big bird of prey out of a science fiction movie.  Or maybe a subject for Luft 2046.  Revell did a nice 1/72 kit of it.

The pic below is the Revell box art, with the E.555 cruising over Manhattan.  It would be fun to build a diorama of it crashed in Central Park.  

 

[Faust]

Thanks guys! 

I have a kit of the Yak-15 (two actually - both suck...) and I thought that the 109 made a perfect German counterpart to that idea. 

As for prop-to-jet transition, don't forget the YB-35 to YB-49. Of course, that's almost USAAF '46, since it's not a production plane!

That E.555 is an awesome kit. I have it in the stash. I was toying with doing an aerial refuelling of two Me-262s or P.1099s or something from underwing pods. Ooohhh two Hortons refuelling would look even cooler! Hmm... food for thought...