Friends,
Thank you for taking more attention on this detail. First at all- I have been photographed some before with camera which we call here “idiot camera”. They have no adjustment and in some on them I really don’t look like my self. Answer is in lens which gives some distortion on the image. Also you have to consider that kind of distortion on the archive images.
As a person who have draw several reference drawings I have to said that many of drawings made from ’60 to ’80 and based on photographs include many of mistakes. So only relevant source are technical drawings and data displayed on it.
So we have here extract from the Idflieg document which show height from surface up to the engine axle [as well some other data]. This is 1575 mm and in 1/48 scale this is 32.81 mm.
Only relevant method of measure is to put the kit in three point position as well this is the method of measurement in the aviation during the static testing.
Image show that I have place model in three point position. You must be sure that kit is horizontal and it central axes are horizontal. Then you can make measure. I have place small coins and paper pieces until I get it into the position.
Final image show that this height is to regret 33.3 mm this problem is caused by camera which is not in the same level to the horizontal axle. Actual height is the 33 mm and this is 0.2 mm higher. Even this error on the ruler you see is not very sensitive in that scale.
Problem could appear in the pressure I have used to put the undercarriage leg enough deep into the holes of the axle wing. This is the only possible problem and you should keep attention on this. So I have found this detail on Eduard kit almost precise and enough correct.
So be very careful about the direct use of photographs!!! They could not give correct proportion as you might like to have. Basic reference drawings and measure of the actual preserved sample is the only relevant method of obtaining of the correct data.
Stephen- this is correct about the latches. How could I miss this detail!
Cheers
