Zoukei-Mura Dornier Do 335 A-0 Pfeil Plastic Model Kit, 1/32 Scale

The Dornier Do 335 A-0 Pfeil (Arrow) was one of the fastest piston engine-powered aircraft ever flown. It's unique and extremely unusual design features two liquid-cooled engines, each developing about 1,750 hp, with one mounted in the nose and the other in the tail. This innovative "push-pull" configuration, patented by Claudius Dornier in 1937, provided the power of two engines with less drag and greater maneuverability than traditional wing-mounted twin-engine configurations. Another benefit of this design is that if one engine were to fail, the Do 335 would not pitch to one side, and single-engine flying speed was still significant. Pilots reported exceptional flight performance in acceleration and turning radius, and agile handling with no dangerous spin characteristics. In an emergency requiring a bail out, the pilot could detonate explosive charges that would jettison the rear-mounted three-blade propeller and dorsal fin to increase the chances of surviving the ejection. When fired, the seat pushed the pilot away from the aircraft with a force of 20 Gs. The first production version of the Do 335A-1 was armed with one 30 mm MK-103 cannon (70 rounds were carried) firing through the propeller hub and two 15 mm MG-151/15 cannon (200 rounds per gun) firing from the top cowling of the forward engine. The aircraft was also equipped to carry an internal bomb load of 500 kg (1,100 lb).

With all its amazing features, the Do 335 was still very oversized for a fighter plane, and quite heavy at a loaded weight of 9,600 kg (21,000 lbs.). Plus, it was plagued with rear engine overheating problems and weak landing gear which was prone to failure. In spite of these issues, Dornier finished building as many as 48 Do 335s and another 9 or so were under construction when the war ended. One of many plans issued by the RLM called for Dornier to build 310 Do 335s by late 1945. Although several pre-production aircraft were issued to combat conversion units about 10 months before the war ended, no pilots flew Do 335s in combat.

The Zoukei-Mura Dornier Do 335 A-0 Pfeil Plastic Model Kit presents a level of miniature reproduction quality that may not be equalled in 1/32 scale. Every aspect and proportion of this unique aircraft - from front propeller to rear propeller, wing tip to wing tip - is captured with exacting precision, and each of the twin engines is practically a masterpiece of fine-scale artistry in itself. So exact in detail, it's like building the real thing! Kit is comprised of 353 parts, molded in gray and clear styrene. Requires painting and assembly to match the photographs shown. Optional components, paints and more . . . available separately . . . further enhance various aspects of the model and allow the builder to capture an unmatched level of realism.