Dragon Models

1/48 Ba.349D Natter and Launch Tower

Kit Number: 5516

Reviewed by  Dave Morrissette, IPMS# 33653

MSRP: $34.95 Dragon Models continues their amazing releases and values with the Ba.349 and launch tower. The aircraft itself has been released before but this is the first release (to my knowledge) with the launch tower. As with all of the Dragon kits, the value is excellent. You get all the parts for the Natter. It can be displayed on its ground stand with or without the complete rocket motor. Also included are sprues for the launch tower, a huge PE set for detailing the launch tower, Natter and rocket motor, and complete markings for three aircraft. One of the test aircraft is included in these three and is a striking bright yellow. I started by choosing the more traditional operational colors (although no Natter never saw combat) and breaking down the build to the plane and the launch tower. I wanted to build the Ba.349 on the tower so I put the trolley, rocket motor and ground crew aside for another project. The build is very straightforward with the cockpit being very simple and nicely detailed with both plastic and PE parts. If you elect to build the test unit, there was no clear canopy and you can ignore building he cockpit. The front and back fuselage parts were joined ands then the front and back joined. Fit was good with only a little filler being used on the rear join and that was the same with the nose containing the rockets. There are three optional covers for the nose here including a glass one. I added the tail and stabilizers (which did need a little putty and sanding to fit. I added the windscreen and we were ready for paint. I used black on the bottom with RLM 74 on top and the spotted the top with RLM 76. The instructions call for white but the RLM 76 looks better (at least to me). The paint was glossy and the decals snuggled down nicely. I built and added the RATO packs and flatted the model and set it aside until it had a tower. The tower comes on 11 sprues of its own and has a fair amount of large PE parts on it. Construction is straightforward with a couple exceptions. It took a little while to find the right orientation of the wheeled back part to the support but I did and it is attached well. The PE main guide rails come in an upper and lower half and can be bent easily (which I did). They are long and need folded. My Hold and Fold was too small for the job and I got a little bend in it. There are no painting directions to the tower so I picked German gray. A test fit of the B.349 showed that I needed some weight so I filled the only spot (capped ends on the base) with two sinkers and she settle nicely. To tie it all together, Dragon supplies cord but it looked a little thick to me so I used Dai Riki fishing line. This gets cut, colored and then attached to winches on one side and strung over pulleys on top to hang the plane from the other side. Another quick shot of Dullcote and we're done. A fun build of a very late war project that never fought. Fit was good and the PE and details are excellent. The kit is begging for a diorama of the pilots and mechanics getting ready to intercept an Allied bombing raid. My thanks to Dragon for the review kit- recommended

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