The history
Reimar and Walter Horten built three airframes of their H IX flying wing. The V1 was an unpowered glider that first flew on 28 February 1944. The V2 carried two Junkers Jumo 004 turbojets and made its first flight on 2 February 1945, becoming the first jet-powered flying wing to fly.
It flew only three times. On 18 February 1945 one engine failed, the aircraft went into the ground at Oranienburg and test pilot Erwin Ziller was killed.
The V3, built by Gotha at Friedrichroda, was still unfinished when US troops captured the factory. It is the only surviving airframe and stands today at the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center. No production Ho 229 was ever completed.
The build
This was my first experience with a Zoukei-Mura kit, and I was especially curious to see whether the brand lived up to its reputation.
The Ho 229 immediately stood out with its fully detailed internal structure, engines and framework, all of which can be displayed on the finished model. Despite the complexity, the build proved remarkably enjoyable. Fit was excellent, the instructions were clear, and every stage felt carefully engineered.
By the end of the project, I understood why Zoukei-Mura kits have such a strong reputation. The Ho 229 was not only an impressive model, but also one of the most enjoyable builds I have completed.
Two Jumo 004 engines
Both engines are built up in full. One goes back into the wing; the other ends up on the hoist in the diorama.
The steel-tube centre section
Like the real aircraft, the kit has a welded steel-tube centre section that carries the cockpit and both engines.
Paint
A black base with white mottling went down first, then the camouflage over it.
The camouflage is RLM 81 Brown Violet and RLM 82 Light Green over RLM 76 Light Blue, the colours the kit instructions call for, sprayed with Vallejo Model Air RLM colours rather than the approximate matches suggested in the instructions. The engines and metal parts are AK Interactive Xtreme Metal Dark Aluminium, Aluminium and Burnt Metal, the black is Tamiya XF-1, and everything was assembled with Tamiya cement.
Finished
Build the scene
- Zoukei-Mura Super Wing Series Horten Ho 229, 1/48 (SWS48-03). The Jumo 004 engine stand comes in the box.
- ICM Luftwaffe Airfield Equipment, for the hoist, ladder, drums and crates.
- Ground crew: ICM German Luftwaffe Ground Personnel 1939-1945 (48085), with its two black-overalled mechanics, plus figures from a Tamiya tank maintenance crew set.
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