1/72 3503 Huma Model DFS-228 - Rocket Powered High Altitude Reconnaissance Aircraft
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
Rare injection molded kit. Features fine, all recessed panel lines, highly detailed cockpit module, landing skid, parts for joining the aircraft to a 1/72 Do-217 K-3, full size color drawings, markings for civil and military versions and full instructions with fascinating history notes. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. The DFS-228 was to operate at 23,000 meters (over 75,400 feet) where enemy interception was impossible. Flight profile was to be as follow: take off in a Mistel combination with a Do-217. At about 33,000 feet the '228 would separate by firing it's Walter liquid-fuel rocket engine. Within 5 minutes, it would be at over 75,000 ft. The actual recon task would then take place under powerless flight while powerful Zeiss infra-red cameras took photos. The aircraft would then glide another 750 km before reaching the original release height, then another 350 km after that, giving plenty of time to reach friendly territory and again making interception difficult if not impossible. Extraordinary protection had to be given to the pilot at such altitudes. His pressure cabin could, in an emergency, be blown free with four explosive bolts. After the separated front module reached a safe altitude where the pilot could survive without oxygen, the pilot was ejected through the front windscreen and a parachute deployed. By the end of the war several prototypes had been built. Flight testing, however, was only performed in non-powered glides from a maximum altitude of 10,000 meters.
This item has been sold.
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