Zoukei-Mura Inc. 1/32 Do 335A-0 Pfeil Kit First Look

By T J Petta

First Look

The Dornier Do 335 Pfeil ("Arrow") was a World War II heavy fighter built by the Dornier company. The two-seater trainer version was also called Ameisenbär ("anteater"). The Pfeil's performance was much better than other twin-engine designs due to its unique "push-pull" layout and the much lower aerodynamic drag of the in-line alignment of the two engines. It was Germany's fastest piston-engined aircraft of World War II. The Luftwaffe was desperate to get the design into operational use, but delays in engine deliveries meant only a handful were delivered before the war ended. (Wikipedia)

This is Zoukei Mura’s latest release, the Do 335A-0 Pfeil and number 10 in the Super Wing Series. Yet again ZM has produced a great kit in my opinion. It seems to me that ZM has a keen eye when it comes to the geometry, shape and fidelity to molding when capturing finer points on the original aircraft.

Again the kit is molded in a constant gray and clear styrene for a total of twelve parts trees. Two are for each of the beautifully reproduced Daimler-Benz 603 engines. Clear parts are crisp and thin throughout with the main airframe parts following in the lines of ZM’s Ho 229. Kit features:

• Nicely detailed cockpit
• Positionable canopy
• Positionable ailerons
• Positionable flaps
• Positionable rudder & elevators
• Positionable engine covers
• Nice structural detail in wings and airframe that can be viewed
• Fine detail throughout all moldings

This was the fighter version so no external stores were needed in the kit.

ZM provides markings for one example:

• VG PH 102 airframe construction number 240102

Decals are provided on one sheet with optional control panel and various stencils. The decals are of very good Cartogarf quality.

Of note, the aircraft ZM chose to model is on display at the NASM at the Steven F. Udar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. A very nice well detailed kit that will build up impressively.

 I’ve built the HK Models Do 335B-2 which is a fine kit. Though these are two different airframes some of the differences I see in the kits manufacturing approach are.

Zoukei Mura Do 335A-0:

• Geometry of the nose shape seems more refined
• DB 603 engine piping more pronounced
• Wing camber possibly a bit closer
• Various intake shapes geometry possibly more defined
• Cockpit sidewalls nicely detailed
• Instruction sheet with nice built up step-by-step pictures for reference

 Hong Kong Models Do 335B-2:

• Overall rivet detail slightly finer
• Kit main gear might be sturdier
• Cockpit glazing slightly thinner plastic
• Simplified instruction sheet

Those in my opinion are a few things I’ve noticed and by no means are meant to detract from either kit. Now that HK Models has released their Do 335A-0 version we modelers have many options.

In my case I’m happy to have the Zoukei Mura kit with interior structure and frosted opaque airframe to go along with my Do 335B-2. As soon as push on through existing builds I’ll be starting the ZM Do 335 and can’t wait to build it.

Resources

• Do 335 Modelers' Online Reference