Dfs 230 as used in the Mistel trials

Alec K
Greetings mates,

I am gathering references for my 1/72 scale Mistel project, specifically the early DFS 230 with Fw 56 as carrier aircraft. My primary references are the Classic Publications' "Mistel - German Composite Aircraft" (2001) and the Osprey Combat Aircraft #112 "Luftwaffe Mistel Composite Bomber Units" (2015), both by Robert Forsyth. I also have Schiffer's "German Gliders in World War II" and their early "Mistel" title, along with "Warplanes of the Third Reich" (1986) by William Green as a general type reference.

The two primary sources have conflicting information regarding the DFS 230 canopy configuration, and whether or not the front-firing rockets were installed in the nose on the DFS 230. Presumably, more recent publication date of the Osprey 112 title suggests that the information it contains is correct, however closer scrutiny of the photos in the Classic publication confirms that, at least with regards to the nose-mounted rockets, this is not the case. When it comes to the DFS 230 canopy configuration, it's even muddier that that, as neither publication seems to have this right.

Canopy configuration: what did the canopy look like on the DFS 230 used with the Fw 56, and presumably also for the Kl 35? Specifically, was there a rear extended glazed section (as photos seem to indicate), and was there also an lower glazing section below that as depicted in the profile art in the Classic publication.

Forward firing nose rockets: Looking for any reasons to not include these in the build. They are not depicted in the Osprey 112 profile art, yet clearly visible in the Classic publication photos and also included in the profile art.

Actual version of the DFS 230 as used with the Fw 56: my research confirms that the DFS 230 used with the Bf 109 E that followed the trials with the Fw 56, was piloted from the rear seat, suggesting that it was a B-2 version. I have not found any references indicating whether or not this was the case with the DFS 230 coded CB+ZB (a different aircraft) used in the Fw 56 and Kl 35 trials. Both of my primary references specify the DFS 230 as the B-1 version (i.e. single control version), however.

Thanks in advance for your help with this.

Rick Corts
Though i cannot help you with this, i'll keep watching this build!

Greg Baker
I didn't even understand half of what he said, but I wanna get in on the ground floor of all of Alec's builds.

Alec K
Welcome gents! Greg, don't get your hopes up. No massive scratch-building or LEDs like your builds...

Henry
What a great project!! I shall be watching your build with keen interest.

Greg Baker
Says the guy who builds airplane models inside out...😉

Alec K
So I made some decisions and started building. The Fw 56 build will be covered in a separate album (not yet started...).

Daniel Klink
High Quality detailwork and verypromising start Alec 👍

Alec K
Danke Daniel - hope you are kicking that flu 👍

Gordon Sørensen
Fantastic detail, Alec, and an very interesting project! Definitely following this one!

Alec K
Welcome aboard Gordon 🙂

Larry Cherniak
Great looking project! I have started the same journey only in 1/48 with HiPM and Special Hobby kits, and have the exact same references. They are, I believe, the best you will find. It seems the profile artist of the newer Forsyth work missed a few things so I would trust the earlier profile more for the window and rocket configuration (but not for the odd green upper surfaces on the Stosser!). Besides that they seem very precise. Who knows about the spinner colors? I will definitely use your solution for the rockets!

Years ago (as a mock-up of the larger project) I hastily built the Huma DFS230 and Airmodel (injection) Fw56 as this Mistel and it turned out OK. The Huma kit included the necessary parts and decals for all 3 Misteln, BTW. Nevertheless I built the rear support frame from 2 inverted V wires, a plastic rod (to allow easy fine-tuning of the height), and some channel stock. Two stretchable threads through a wire eye-bolt hanging from the Stosser seemed the best solution for the forward connections. The wheel "shoes" were included with the kit but could be easily scratched from some plastic stock and a ball bit in the Dremel.

Best of luck with the rest of your project! I hope you rescribe the Heller kit, it would be simple but add a lot. Oh, and you might want to change the rudder pedals into rudder bars. And I hate to say it but I have 2 clear pictures (Motorbuch Verlag "Geheimprojekte Der DFS" p.46-47) showing six rockets vertically but 8 horizontally, on what looks like a later version of CB+ZB with the lower nose window and other mods. I mention these only because you seem to want to get it "right", and it's not too late to change them if desired. No one but us would ever know if you left it alone! Let me know how I can share some pictures with you if you're interested.

Calvin Gifford
Very interesting!

Stefan Schacht
very nice start, count me in.

Alec K
Thanks Calvin and Stefan. It's a bit obscure subject, but very interesting indeed 👍.

Larry, where were you three months ago!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Thanks very much for the info and advice. I am a lazy update poster, so the project is a bit further along than the WIP album I just uploaded. So, the rockets and the pedals will have to live on, inaccurate as they are (the interior is hard to see in any case, and as far as the rockets go, you said it). I do have some unresolved questions remaining however, so I'll be bugging you.

I do have a happier news regarding the Stosser. I rescribed the panel lines and added cockpit detail, and it did add quite a bit to how that model is turning out. Looking back, I realized how well those Heller kits were done. I should have that WIP album up soon(ish).

Regarding the connection of the two machines, I plan to proceed just as you outlined. I do have the Huma Dfs 230 kit and used the codes and unit emblem from it for the Stosser (still worked fine after 3+ decades). Rest assured, there will be no green camo on the upper surfaces, just gleaming silver, although I did hem and haw a bit based on a photo in the Classic Publication, but Mr. Merrick set me straight (figuratively speaking, of course).

I would very much like to see your Mistel build. In 1:48 scale, it should be quite spectacular. Hope that's still going to happen. Thanks again.

Calvin Gifford
I have the A-Model Vacuform DFS-230 in the stash. I hope mine turns out half as nice as yours!

Alec K
Vacuform? You are braver than me, Calvin 😄

Calvin Gifford
:-P

Ricardo Reis
Nice and unusual, following this! 👍

Alec K
Cheers mates - I uploaded some progress pics. Got the glider primed and ready for camo

For the Fw 56 build WIP, see Fw 56 Stösser as used in the Mistel trials | Album by Pardubak (1:72)

Calvin Gifford
👍

playtime 222
Learnt something today - never knew this was a Mistel config. Surprised the retro-rockets for the short landings were left on these in real life though?

Erik Leijdens
Comprehensive detail work Alec. Your work pays off as it looks really good. I like it 👍

Greg Baker
Unfreakinbelievable... Alec your builds always look like a first year university textbook... your precision astounds me and shames me and my "meh straight/big/small/close enough" builds.😉

Daniel Klink
Awesome Alec👍 level of detail is stunning and it looks very good can't wait for the finished thing 👍

Alec K
Thanks mates for taking a peek and for your comments. Greg, not sure what to say to that, other that I hope I don't shame you. I got nothing on your vision and imagination 👍.

@playtime 222: these early Mistel trials are interesting indeed. Regarding the rockets, I believe that DFS made a production version (the C-1) of the 230 glider with these installed to shorten the landing. Not sure if the rockets were used in conjunction with the landing parachute, however.

playtime 222
Exactly. But they serve no purpose on a Mistel?

Alec K
Got it, sorry, I misunderstood your question. The rockets were intended, together with the brake parachute, to aid during separation of the glider and the Stosser (in case there were problems) to slow down the glider. I don't believe these were ever used during the trials, mainly because the separations all went without problems. There is a picture on bottom of page 50 of the Book: Mistel (by Robert Forsyth) showing both the rockets and the parachute deployed, likely as a test of the concept for the glider alone. In any case, the rockets were present on the glider used with the Kl 35 and Fw 56, but were not present on the glider (a different machine) used with the Bf 109.

Alec K
Finally done! Album with completed pics is here: Mistel: Dfs 230 with Fw 56 | Album by Pardubak (1:72)

playtime 222
Very good 😄

Guy Rump
Very interesting subject and impressive model 🙂

Alec K
Thanks very much!

Greg Baker
Man Alec, your work is always so clean. It's an inspiration. Fantastic!

Alec K
Well Greg, I was trying to make this one look dirty, but it seems I failed... 😄 😄 😄 Just kidding, of course. Thanks for the encouraging comments 👍

Greg Baker
It's dirty... just in all the exactly right spots! 😄

Alec K
🙂 👍

bughunter
Very careful work, clever solutions - well executed project 👍 And now a DFS 230 with rotor blades?
Focke-Achgelis Fa 225 (AMP 72001, 1:72)

Alec K
Thanks very much! I don't know about "clever" solutions, but thank you. It was fun build, but I am glad it's done. I do like the Fa 225, a truly unique bird indeed 👍

Greg Baker
If bughunter says it's clever... that's good enough for me. Your science seems like magic.😉