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With the recent release (finally!) of a new-tool 1/48 Ar-234B from Hasegawa (with Revell-Monogram imminently
doing the four-engined Ar-234C version), it seemed time to dust off these photographs of the Smithsonian National Air &
Space Museum's example of the Blitz. I shot these photographs in October 1992, while touring the NASM's Garber restoration
facility in Silver Hill, Maryland. This plane is, quite simply, one of the most beautiful aircraft restorations I have ever
seen; unfortunately, the pictures do not begin to do it justice. Once the NASM's Udvar-Hazy Center opens at Dulles Airport
in December 2003, this aircraft will be on prominent public display. Until then, I hope these photographs are of some help
to modelers that will be working on the Hasegawa kit, or Dragon's fine 1/72 model.
The Ar-234's landing gear is quite simple, yet robust. Notice how small the wheel well openings appear on the ground. The
large doors to accomodate the wheels open only during the gear extraction/retraction sequence.
An overall view of the starboard side of the aircraft, showing the engine intake and details of the canopy. Who will be the
first person or aftermarket company to make intake guards for the Hasegawa kit?
The Ar-234 was a rather underpowered aircraft, especially at take-off with a full load. As a result, a pair of jettisonable
Walter RATO units were used to increase take-off power. This photo shows details of the Walter RATO units, including the
parachute mounted at the front (to allow recovery after take-off). Also note how the rocket units attached to the wing.
This view shows just how complicated and exposed the cockpit of the Ar-234 is. The back of the instrument panel, with all
of its wiring, is exposed, and a wire guard projects from the top of the instrument panel to the canopy. The instrument panel
itself is suspended on brackets mounted to the internal canopy framing. The rudder pedals are also prominent, as is the Lotfe
7 K bombsight nestled under the instrument panel. To use the bombsight, the pilot engaged an autopilot and folded the control
yoke out of the way. Note how colourful the interior is. Some details of the nose landing gear are also visible.
The port side of the nose gives us an excellent view of the canopy construction. Unusually, the plexiglas is mounted over
top of the canopy frames, being secured by a series of prominent screws. Hence, all of the canopy frames, which are painted
black, are on the inside of the canopy. This should be an interesting effect to replicate on a model, and may call for some
tricky masking. The white half-circles on the fuselage indicate kick-steps that allow the pilot to enter the cockpit through
the roof hatch. Note the viewport for the bombsight, barely visible in front of the nose landing gear.
This final view shows lots of interesting details, including a fine view of the nose gear strut. The PV 1 B periscopic sight
is visible portruding from the roof; this was fitted to allow the pilot to aim two rearward-firing MG151/20 guns (never fitted).
The oxygen regulating equipment is visible through the canopy, and a small, bolt-on strake can be seen at the bottom of the
nose. These were fitted on both sides of the nose.
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