In August 1943, the Technische Amt decided that Messerschmitt was over-committed, and they decided to transfer the work on the design to the Blohm und Voss outfit. After some initial study, the Blohm and Voss design team deemed that the existing Messerschmitt design had too many weaknesses. Several months of argument and finger-pointing between the Messerschmitt transition team and the Blohm und Voss designers followed. Friction between the two teams got steadily worse. In the event, no meeting of the minds was possible, and the Technische Amt eventually decided to throw Messerschmitt off the project entirely, and turn it entirely over to Blohm und Voss.

The BV 155C was quite different in appearance from the BV-155B. The clumsy wing-mounted radiators of the BV-155B were eliminated, and the main landing gear leg attachment points were moved inboard to retract inwards. The cooling was provided by an annular frontal radiator a la Ta 152. Large circular intakes were attached to the fuselage sides above the wing roots.

The program was brought to an abrupt end when the Allies occupied the Blohm und Voss factory at Finkenwerder in April of 1945. At that time, the V3 was 75 percent completed, but assembly of the C-series prototypes had not yet commenced. The V-3 was eventually taken to the USA for examination, its ultimate fate unknown.

THE KIT

Type: Resin
Resin Parts: 32
Clear Parts: 1
Decals: For 2 aircraft (Number choice only)

KIT OVERVIEW

Another "look-back" IBR, this time it's the RS Model Bv 155C to come under the microscope.
Compared to more recent RS Models, this kit is beginning to show its age. It is still not a bad kit but, probably due to its age, there are a couple of things that will need a little more care or effort than is normal which I will attempt to explain in the following sections.
*PLEASE NOTE: This must be an old kit as the ID Number was shared by another RS Model, the Arado AE607. This has now been amended: Arado AE607 is now 72059.
Also on site it states etched parts included. These were missing from the box.

MAIN PARTS

The main parts are all satisfactory with a little general clean up needed. All the detail and panel lines are there but some are a little feint and could either benefit from a light touch with a scribing tool or when painting, the application of the lightest of coats to preserve them.

There are two large casting stubs on the nose and behind the front cowling that need to be carefully removed with a fine razor saw and a general light sanding.

As the wings and fuselage are butt jointed, reinforcing with brass rod is probably necessary.
The line between the casting block and the wing root looks a little uneven so may require a little filing/sanding into shape.

PLEASE NOTE: There is one area that causes some concern and that is the thickness of the resin over the wheel wells on the wings. This is very thin, so extra care is needed to avoid accidentally breaking through.
Luckily the undercarriage mounting points are stepped to give a reasonable thickness for drilling a locating hole.
Please see diagram.

SMALL PARTS

The smaller parts are generally good but the detailing for the cockpit parts are pretty plain, the instrument panel is blank for example, so some may wish to raid their spares box or find a suitable decal or film. (The omission of etched parts is probably why things look a little under detailed).
Again most of the small parts come in groups attached to large and thin resin flakes for transit protection. Careful removal is necessary, but as the flakes are thin is a pretty straightforward exercise to remove them.

PLEASE NOTE: Most RS Models come with metal undercarriage legs and it is a pity the Bv 155C does not. The resin ones provided are painfully thin and there is no way these will support the weight of the assembled aircraft, after all it is not small and will be quite heavy when completed.
There is no alternative but to source them elsewhere or scratch build new ones from brass rod and tube.

All parts need a little clean up and a wash in soapy water and rinse to get rid of any casting release agents.

CLEAR PARTS

One vacuformed canopy is provided and is nice and clear with good frame marking, but would benefit a dip in Future/Klear.

INSTRUCTIONS & DECALS

Two photocopy sheets are provided and are not of a very high quality, but the assembly diagram, though crudely drawn, is not difficult to understand and is therefore adequate.
The decals are of average quality only and basic. Swastikas are provided.

CONCLUSION.

For the standard of this kit, the price is expensive especially considering the basic problems found on my example. However these are not insurmountable. There fore I consider this a kit for the experienced only.
Yet in spite of all the problems I think it will make up into a nice model.

Thank you to Hannants for kindly supplying the review sample.