The model depicts Do 217 N2/R22, coded 3C + IP (Wk-Nr 1570), a machine belonging to the 6th Staffel of II./NJG 4 operating from Tavaux France, which on the early hours of May 1 1944, piloted by Feldwebel Gunther Konzac landed mistakenly in Birsfeden airfield outside of Basel, Switzerland.
The kit used as a basis for this conversion was the Revell kit of Do 217 E2 combined with Coster Aero Enterprises' engine nacelles and nose. All other items required for converting this bomber to nightfighter were scratchbuilt.
Main modifications included the alteration of cockpit configuration to nightfighter standard, with the addition of ammo boxes, gunsights, deletion of waist windows and replacement of rear turret with fairing, construction of belly fairing from balsa skinned with plasticard, construction of tail brake parachute, flaps, various details and corrections in fuselage, nacelles and landing gear. In the accompanying photos some comments regarding the construction of the model are included
The model was also riveted and weathered (extensively) according to all surviving photos of the real plane.
Finally this project could never have been completed without the invaluable help of Mr. Rolf Blattner President of IPMS Switzerland who generously provided all information for this strange looking bird. Thanks Rolf!
Main references also include "German Night Fighter Aces of WW2", Osprey Publications p. 63, SAM article by John Mc Illmurray on how to convert Italeri Do 217 N1 to N2, and "Do 217, 317, 417 - An Operational Record" by M. Griehl.
Wheels:
The main wheels while OK in general were rather thin according to my
references,(Schiffer's book on German Aircraft landing gear) so they were
beefed up by inserting a 1mm plasticard sheet.
Nose 2
The Coster nose as fitted with the help of various pieces of plasticard
Nose 3
A lot of milliput was applied so that the contours of the forward fuselage could
be ok according to plans. Later on additional layers of Gunze's liquid putty
(500 and progressively 1000 grd) were used before all panel detail was rescribed
The tailbrake chute;
There is photographic evidence, see photo
below, part of the photo in Manfred Griehl's book about the Do 217 and compare
it with the photo of the model shot from about the same angle. The tail
extension shown can only belong to such a device.
