Build tread of a rubber-powered free-flight scale model of a Blohm & Voss BV 141
This project (and build thread) actually is a bit like the Fokker D.XXIII project.
The prototype of the project has already flown before I started the build tread...
But after the prototype I will make a new version in which I take into account what I noticed with the prototype.
I will first supplement this build thread with the construction of the prototype to its current state.
Then I continue this build thread with the second BV141 model
I have downloaded the plans from the Outerzone website, model details:
Blohm und Voss BV 141
Free flight scale model of the WWII German reconnaissance plane.
Design: Al Lidberg
Year: 1987
Spring: 28" / 71cm
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/upload_2024-11-27_11-17-40-jpeg.601253/)
You would expect it to be a one-off experimental test model... but nothing could be further from the truth.
Some photos of the original:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/upload_2024-11-27_11-18-1-jpeg.601254/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/upload_2024-11-27_11-19-10-jpeg.601255/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/upload_2024-11-27_11-19-21-jpeg.601256/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/upload_2024-11-27_11-19-56-jpeg.601258/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/upload_2024-11-27_11-20-13-png.601259/)
In Photoshop, I placed the fuselage ribs, wing ribs, etc. on an A3 sheet.
I printed this with the laser printer so that I can make the printwood myself again with the clothing iron:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/upload_2024-11-28_10-12-59-jpeg.601395/)
The plans placed over the building board:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/upload_2024-11-28_10-13-50-jpeg.601396/)
The self made printwood:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__012.273288/full?d=1733076714)
Grabbed a fresh scalpel and started cutting out the parts:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__013.273289/full?d=1733076714)
Making the wingribs:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__014.273290/full?d=1733076714)
Ready to start building the BV-141:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__015.273291/full?d=1733076714)
Cheers, Ramses
Start build of the Blohm & Voss BV 141
I started with the gondola or "crew compartment":
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__016.273292/full?d=1733076714)
Test fitting and glueing the half fuselage formers one by one:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__017.273293/full?d=1733076714)
Main structure of the gondola made, the vertical frames in the nose are next:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__018.273294/full?d=1733076714)
Added the vertical frames:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__019.273295/full?d=1733076714)
Gave the gondola a very light mist of white overall.
Started covering the gondola with tissue... it's not much covering, almost everything will be 'glass' soon:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__021.273297/full?d=1733076731)
Gave the tissue two coats of dope and started on the 'engine fuselage':
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__023.273299/full?d=1733076731)
Cheers, Ramses
Fuselage(s) construction:
Glued the stringers to the left half of the engine fuselage:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__025.273301/full?d=1733076731)
Took the left fuselage half from the building board and added the right side:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__027.273302/full?d=1733076731)
The fuselage(s) of the BV-141:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__028.273303/full?d=1733076731)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__029.273304/full?d=1733076745)
The infills behind the engine cowling and the infills where the wing passes through the fuselage are made of 1.5mm balsa. Started with the vertical stabilizer:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__031.273386/full?d=1733681553)
Finishing the vertical stabilizer:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__032.273387/full?d=1733681553)
Cheers, Ramses
Wow! Great work on your project. I love asymmetric aircraft. ;D
ian
How did you ironed on the laser print? I've tried it many times, but without succes, or with very marginal effort.
They are great flyers. I built one towards the end of last Century and it just about flew straight off the board.
.
ramses -
You did excellentn work on your BV 141 model.
For inspiration, this is a picture of the Blohm & Voss BV 141 built by my good friend Robert Hodes in the US. It is sitting on a judging table at the WESTFAC VIII Flying Aces Club contest held in 2021 in Buckeye, Arizona.
Thanks for the nice replies!
Quote from: pb_guy on May 22, 2026, 04:51 PMI love asymmetric aircraft. ;D
ian
Me too! Blohm & Voss and Burt Rutan made some very fine asymmetric designs.
Quote from: Istvann on May 22, 2026, 05:52 PMHow did you ironed on the laser print? I've tried it many times, but without succes, or with very marginal effort.
You have to use an iron which gets really hot!
I tried it with a Jamara covering iron, but that one doesn`t get hot enough.
I bought an old clothing iron at a second hand store and at the " *** linnen" seting it works fine.
Quote from: dputt7 on May 22, 2026, 06:03 PMThey are great flyers. I built one towards the end of last Century and it just about flew straight off the board.
I was really amazed how well the BV-141 prototype flew.
As you said, straight off the board!
And easier to trim than a lot of other conventional designs...
Quote from: calgoddard on May 22, 2026, 06:28 PMFor inspiration, this is a picture of the Blohm & Voss BV 141 built by my good friend Robert Hodes in the US. It is sitting on a judging table at the WESTFAC VIII Flying Aces Club contest held in 2021 in Buckeye, Arizona.
WOW! :o That`s a beauty 8)
Love the splinter camouflage.
AND, for indoor flying!
How does the BV-141 perform indoors?
It looks like it`s build from the Al Lidberg plans too?
Cheers, Ramses
Well done Ramses! WOW what a neat job!!! Excellent!
Thanks Spiros!
Cheers, Ramses
Horizontal stabilizer and wing construction:
Horizontal stabilizer and elevator made over the plans, and started with the wing assembly. I first built the wing flat over the plans, then slide it through the gondola and engine fuselage:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__033.273388/full?d=1733681553)
The flat wing center section has been glued in place, however the spars etc. of the wingtips have not been glued yet:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__034.273389/full?d=1733681553)
The wing has dihedral at the wingtips. Given how the gondola and engine fuselage are constructed, you cannot slide the wing with dihedral through them...
So, i build the wing flat first, then slide it through the gondola and engine fuselage, and only then make the tips with dihedral. But once the cockpit and engine fuselage are attached to the wing, the wing can no longer lie flat on the workbench...
That of course is necessary, so I made a kind of a wing jig:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__035.273390/full?d=1733681553)
First i made the base of the jig; the new building board with built-in dihedral will be placed on top of this:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__036.273391/full?d=1733681553)
First i put the entire plank on, then removed the sections where the cockpit and engine fuselage will go:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__037.273392/full?d=1733681553)
The BV-141 fixed to the jig and the wing tips finished with the correct dihedral:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__038.273393/full?d=1733681553)
On the advice of Lars Tolkstam, I purchased this beautiful book about the BV-141:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__039.273394/full?d=1733681580)
Cheers, Ramses
At the junction of the gondola and the engine fuselage with the wing, some infills were needed to attach the tissue. I also want adjustable ailerons on this BV-141, so those still needed to be scratched:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__040.273395/full?d=1733681580)
Infills and ailerons done:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__041.273396/full?d=1733681580)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__042.273397/full?d=1733681580)
Lightly sanding everything one more time, then the BV-141 is ready for tissue:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__043.273398/full?d=1733681580)
Cheers, Ramses
Covering the BV-141:
The tissue i used for this BV-141 are old sheets of VERON tissue.
Not the best, but good enough for this prototype.
I started with the underside of the wing:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__044.273399/full?d=1733681580)
I glued the tissue to the balsa frame with a glue-stick.
Fuselage next:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__045.273400/full?d=1733681580)
Finally, the last piece of tissue and then everything is covered.
I find covering with tissue nice work to do:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__046.273401/full?d=1733681580)
The wing construction board was raised to fixate the wing in place after dopeing.
A board was also made to fixate the rest of the parts in place after dopeing:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__047.273402/full?d=1733681580)
Everything has been given a first coat of 50% diluted dope and is fixed to the boards to dry:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__048.273403/full?d=1733681580)
Cheers, Ramses
For the second (final) coat, I mixed in a very little light grey Humbrol to the dope:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__049.273465/full?d=1734192823)
Left to dry for a week:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__050.273466/full?d=1734192823)
Cheers, Ramses
Glued the empennage to the engine fuselage and made the landing gear:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__052.273520/full?d=1734966488)
The main landing gear in the wing and the tail wheel in the fuselage were made according to the plans. Wing fairings were made from 0.8mm balsa and the cockpit painted dark green on the inside. There is a lot of glass in the greenhouse, so something definitely needs to be done on the inside.
I am not going to make an elaborate scale cockpit for this test model, but I do want to put a (simulated) pilot, navigator, and gunner in it. And this time, full-body pilots, no busts. Made a sketch and transferred it onto a piece of foam:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__053.273521/full?d=1734966488)
The pilot, navigator, and gunner roughly cut out:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__054.273522/full?d=1734966488)
I thought I could shape the foam with the Dremel, but unfortunately, that didn't work at all. This foam isn't really suitable for this; it's too coarse and too flexible... Sanding didn't work either, so I (very) roughly shaped the little pilots entirely with a scalpel:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__055.273523/full?d=1734966488)
First, just to test if Humbol and Revell paint don't melt the foam. I applied it very thickly but there was no reaction; the pilots can be painted:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__057.273525/full?d=1734966488)
First a base coat of blue/grey Humbrol overall:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__058.273526/full?d=1734966488)
Then the rest of the colors:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__059.273527/full?d=1734966488)
Put the pilot in a seat and given him rudder pedals:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__060.273528/full?d=1734966503)
The pilot (in front of the CG) weighs 2.02g, the navigator (on the CG) weighs 1.11g, and the little tail gunner less than a gram:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__061.273529/full?d=1734966503)
The figures are very rough but at least there is something in the gondola...
Cheers, Ramses
The pilot, navigator, and gunner glued in place in the gondola:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__062.273530/full?d=1734966503)
TI made some surface detail of pieces of paper and light balsa:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__063.273531/full?d=1734966503)
Landing gear struts equipped with the doors and a pitot tube installed in the wing:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__064.273532/full?d=1734966503)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__065.273533/full?d=1734966503)
Cheers, Ramses
For this prototype, I chose this version, the GK + GH:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__066.273567/full?d=1735147441)
Simple monocolor scheme, entirely RLM63.
But for this prototype, I will use a simple cheap "medium gray" spray can from Action...
If I ever going to make an F4D version of this plane, then naturally I will use the RLM colors. And certainly a version with the tricolor splinter camouflage as well.
Cheers, Ramses
Finishing the gondola:
I have used doculam for making the patterns of the windows for the gondola:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__067.273568/full?d=1735147441)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__068.273569/full?d=1735147441)
I will use Evergreen 0.005" thick clear styreen:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__069.273570/full?d=1735147441)
I used the Doculam templates to cut the 0.005" styrene window strips to size.
These window strips were glued onto the gondola one by one using canopy glue, eleven pieces in total:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__070.273571/full?d=1735147441)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__071.273572/full?d=1735147441)
Finally, the sharp point at the back; that took some fiddling, but the gondola is closed!
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__072.273573/full?d=1735147441)
Cheers, Ramses
Finishing the gondola:
For the cockpit outer frame, I first sprayed thin aluminum tape in the final gray color.
Then I cut thin strips and applied them one by one:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__073.273574/full?d=1735147441)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__074.273575/full?d=1735147460)
Worked from back to front, here only the nose remains:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__075.273576/full?d=1735147460)
Cheers, Ramses
Initially i attached the landing gear legs to the wing the wrong way around.
The brackets were facing inwards, whereas they need to be facing outwards...
I cut the legs, swapped them, and glued them back in place using a small tube.
I further decorated the legs with soft balsa wood and some paper:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__076.273577/full?d=1735147460)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__077.273578/full?d=1735147460)
While everything was drying, I cut out the self made decals for the GK+GH:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__078.273579/full?d=1735147460)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__082.273583/full?d=1735147475)
Cheers, Ramses
Finishing the BV-141:
Sprayed the grey mist (cheap rattle can) over the BV-141 and removed the masking tape.
Ready for the decals, although there aren't many on this plane, just the Balearic Cross and registration. Started with the underside of the wing; the registration still needs to go here:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__085.273588/full?d=1735236131)
The BV-141 is weathered with a black Vallejo wash and dry brushed Humbrol aluminium:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__088.273591/full?d=1735236131)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__089.273592/full?d=1735236131)
The BV-141 in comparison to the West Wings Puss Moth and the enlarged Aerographics Chipmunk. The BV-141 has a lot of wing area!
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__090.273593/full?d=1735236131)
This prototype BV-141 GK+GH is ready for its maiden flight!
Cheers, Ramses
Pre maiden photoshoot:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__094.273597/full?d=1735236153)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__098.273601/full?d=1735236153)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__099.273602/full?d=1735236153)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__100.273603/full?d=1735236153)
Cheers, Ramses
Maiden flight and first test/trim flights:
Cheers, Ramses
In the video of the maiden flight, it can be seen that the BV-141 was completely soaked from the wet field. That did the aircraft no good... the tissue became more fragile as a result and was damaged in several places.
After the last trim flight, it turned out that several wing stringers were bent (not broken). Upon returning home, I decided to repair the BV-141 and turn it into test version 2.
I am going to remove the landing gear and make a new, smaller, and more scale sized horizontal stabilizer.
The landing gear has been removed and I have started removing the tissue:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__101.274601/full?d=1743269378)
Same for the underside:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__102.274602/full?d=1743269378)
Covered with silver-colored VMC tissue (just sprayed wet here):
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__103.274603/full?d=1743269378)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__104.274604/full?d=1743269378)
Left it to dry fixated in the wing jig:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__105.274605/full?d=1743269378)
Applied the first coat of dope and fixed it in the wing jig again:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__106.274606/full?d=1743269378)
Removed the horizontal stabilizer and made a new, more scaled version:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__107.274607/full?d=1743269378)
That makes a significant difference in terms of surface area:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__108.274608/full?d=1743269378)
The BV-141 is again ready for the overall coat of grey:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__112.274612/full?d=1743269401)
Re applying the decals:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__113.274613/full?d=1743269401)
Repaired and ready for the next trim flights:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__114.274614/full?d=1743269401)
I really like the smaller horizontal stabilizer!
The one on the plans is way to big.
Cheers, Ramses
Lars Tolkstam had advised me making the horizontal stabilizer more to scale size.
I expected that the BV-141
might become a lot more unstable and harder to trim as a result. But the opposite turns out to be true; here is a video of the first test / trim flights of the
BV-141 test version 2:
Thanks again for the tip Lars!
Cheers, Ramses
Conversion to CO2 power:Since this is a testmodel / prototype i wanted to try one more thing with this BV-141; installing a CO2 engine.
So i made a new cowl for the Modela CO2 engine:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1755520714597-jpeg.627006/)
First engine test run of the Modela CO2 engine on the Blohm und Voss BV-141:
Cheers, Ramses
First test toss and trim flights of the
Modela CO2-powered Blohm und Voss BV-141:
Cheers, Ramses
A few weeks later i wanted to take a picture with my phone of the BV-141.
The phone slipt out of my hands.. right onto the BV-141 :-X
Too much damage to repair (i saved the gondola though!)
This build thread is now up to date.
The BV-141 showed enough potential for me to build a new one.
The new BV-141 will be lighter and have a landing gear as this BV-141 will be build for indoor flying.
I will soon start with the build of this new BV-141
Cheers, Ramses
Quote from: ramses on May 23, 2026, 06:14 PMI will soon start with the build of this new BV-141
Prepared the building board for prototype no.2 of the Blohm & Voss BV 141:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/buv-141__117-jpg.277270/full)
I first want to build two other planes for the coming IIFI2026.
When i have finished those, i will continue with this Blohm & Voss BV 141 no.2
Cheers, Ramses
Hi Ramses,
looking forward to both build threads.
Thank you for taking the time to present the build process here as well...
George
Make sure to unfold the plan completely.