Zoukei-Mura is relatively new on the model making front as far as time goes but they have set a new standard for modeling with their philosophy of having the internal detail be included in their planes. They have also chosen extremely desired and interesting subjects and the latest 1/32nd scale offering is a Horten Ho-229 jet- their first jet. The Ho-229 (sometimes called the Go-229) was an all wing aircraft propelled by two jet engines deep in the fuselage. It has somewhat the look of a B-2 Spirit. It was purposely designed to allow for minimal radar detection with 1000kg load of bombs, a 1000 kph top speed and a range of 1000 km. It might have been close to those numbers if mass produced.

Background

H.P. Martin and George Handasyde were an aircraft and motorcycle manufacturer from 1908 to 1922. The subject of this kit was one of their first efforts and appears to represent the third version of this aircraft. I base that on the 40hp J.A.P. engine that is fitted to this kit. This aircraft strongly resembled the French Antoinette including the odd twin wheel controls in the earlier versions. Those were abandoned after criticism from early test flights. Controls were modified to a control wheel with fore and aft motion for the elevators and wing wrapping controlled by turning the wheel. A bar controlled the rudder.

HAD Models from Hungary has its own line of resin and photoetch and this set is an example of how superb their parts can be. Set 132001 is a set of wheel chocks meant for Mig-29's, but would work with any 1/32nd scale Russian planes. The set consists of two resin parts for the majority of the chock and 6 photoetch pieces. Four make up the braces and two are the ends with the claw-like grabbers, which prevent the chock from moving.

Assembly is done by removing the casting block from the resin chock bodies. Next two of the braces are bent into channel shapes. A hold and fold is excellent for this. Lastly, the front part is bent so the grabbing fingers bend down. All three of these are glued in place on the bottom via their excellent instructions. Super glue is a must for adhesion since we are bonding photoetch and resin. Repeat for the other chock and prime (I used Alclad gray).