Dragon 1/48 Ho-229 Flying Wing

FirsThe Horten H.IX, RLM designation Ho 229 (or Gotha Go 229 for extensive re-design work done by Gotha to prepare the aircraft for mass production) was a German prototype fighter/bomber initially designed by Reimar and Walter Horten to be built by Gothaer Waggonfabrik. Developed at a late stage of the Second World War, it was the first flying wing to be powered by jet engines. A lot more info is at the reference link.

This is one of Dragon's earliest 1/48 aircraft kits. It is nicely molded and provides quite a bit of detail. It includes a photo etch fret for some of the small details that includes the buckles for a seat harness. Two complete engines are included and there is a fair amount of framework detail that goes in the engine bay so that you can see it should you want to model the kit with the engine panels off.

The cockpit is part of the lower fuselage section and prior to building that up, one has to finish the nose gear and guns. The nose gear is fairly complex, but should be properly strong when done. The main gear also has to be built up at this time. Once the engines, cockpit, and forward fuselage are done, the upper fuselage section along with the clear bits can be installed.

Flipping the fuselage over, the landing gear can be installed along with the gear doors. It is only now that the wings are assembled and installed. This is followed by the lower wing join covers and various small pieces. This completes the kit.

Instructions are nicely one with Gunze paint references. The lone 'whiffer' scheme is in olive drab, dark green, over light blue as shown on the box art. Basically late war colors. The decal sheet is nicely printed, but old school Japanese style with off white whites. In reality, you can paint it pretty much anyway you want. To my understanding, the lone prototype that flew was overall dark green with no other markings.

I've seen this one built up and it makes into a very nice model. It is fairly easy to find and while it has been superceded by the Z-M kit, is worth building.

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

May 2023

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