Tamiya FW-190A-3 finished!

Daywalker

Member since
September 2003
From: South Central Wisconsin

Tamiya FW-190A-3 finished!

Posted by Daywalker on Sunday, January 25, 2009 11:38 PM

This is my most recent build, Tamiya's 1/48 FW-190A-3. Finsihed in the markings of Rudolf Busch, Group Commander of I./ JG 51. I have wanted to finish an FW-190 in an overall whitewash scheme since building Hasegawa's Bf-109F-2 in the same scheme a while back. I chose these markings as I wanted one without the Green Heart or the squadron badges often seen on these machines.

I did a WIP thread as I painted this one, which can be viewed here. Mostly OOB, with a true Details resin seat with belts, hypo tubing inner cannons and custom machined (by me) outer cannons. The pitot tube was remade using soldered brass wire. I added brake lines and retract gear wiring. Also added the landing gear down indicators on the wings. The main axles were cut off and redone to better resemble the angle on the real aircraft.

Painted with Tamiya acrylics, including a full camo paint scheme under the whitewash. After the patchy white was applied, a coat of Future was sprayed on the protect the colors from the weathering. On the wing roots and fuse side, the white was gently sanded back to show the colors underneath. Many light coats of Tamiya NATO black, earth brown, and other shades were sprayed in layers to show wear. I must admit, with the weather here I should have waited until July to do this one! Hard to get motivated when it's below zero outside. Luckily, my next project is a desert 109! Big Smile [:D]

As always, comments and constructive criticism encouraged. Thanks for looking! Thumbs Up [tup]

Frank

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RadMax8

Member since
February 2005
From: Cleveland, OH

Posted by RadMax8 on Sunday, January 25, 2009 11:57 PM

Wonderful work on this one. It's a shame that the patchiness of the white doesn't come through in the photos, I bet it's an awesome effect. Thanks for a really detailed WIP, as well!

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sfcmac

Member since
October 2004
From: League City, Texas

Posted by sfcmac on Monday, January 26, 2009 12:45 AM

Well Allrighty THEN! Too cool for words my friend! You just keep on getting better!

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Justinryan215

Member since
November 2008
From: Hatboro, PA

Posted by Justinryan215 on Monday, January 26, 2009 4:52 AM

Sweet!

I cant wait for my paint area to thaw out, so I can finish mine...

Justin

"...failure to do anything because someone else can do better makes us rather dull and lazy..."

Mortal as I am,I know that I am born for a day. But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the Earth...

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tempestjohnny

Member since
November 2003
From: Naples, FL

Posted by tempestjohnny on Monday, January 26, 2009 7:11 AM

sfcmac wrote:
Well Allrighty THEN! Too cool for words my friend! You just keep on getting better!

I'll agree to that

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Tugcap

Member since
July 2004
From: Covington, Louisiana

Posted by Tugcap on Monday, January 26, 2009 7:48 AM

The FW is my favorite German plane and you have done a very impressive job with that one. Just picket up a Yak-1 at a contest raffle and I plan to use the winter paint job on that one. Hope it looks a good as yours! Nice work.

Tommy

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arki30

Member since
February 2004
From: Second City

Posted by arki30 on Monday, January 26, 2009 7:53 AM

Gorgeous! Your paint and weathering techniques are top-notch as always.

Building Now:

1/48 Academy Bf-109G6 - 100%

1/48 Tamiya F4U-1A - 5%

Upcoming:

1/48 Revell F-14D

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DWW

Member since
December 2011

Posted by DWW on Monday, January 26, 2009 8:27 AM

Cracking result Frank - a truly beautiful build that'll look great on display with your collection I'm sure.

What's next for the Frank treatment?

Best regards

Steve

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rjkplasticmod

Member since
February 2003
From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State

Posted by rjkplasticmod on Monday, January 26, 2009 8:31 AM

She's a beauty Frank. Excellent work .

Regards, Rick

RICK

At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...

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Daywalker

Member since
September 2003
From: South Central Wisconsin

Posted by Daywalker on Monday, January 26, 2009 9:31 AM

Thanks guys! I appreciate that. Looking at the photos, I realize how little of the patchiness shows up in them. Does anyone have any suggestions for camera settings, background colors, etc that might help? TIA! Thumbs Up [tup]

Steve- Next up is a pair of Hasegawa 109's, a G-4 in Regia Aeronautica markings and a G-10 in a very complex camo scheme. I can hardly wait! Tongue [:P]

Frank

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Butz

Member since
February 2003
From: Niagara Falls NY

Posted by Butz on Monday, January 26, 2009 11:34 AM

Howdy Frank,

Wow.. Simply amazing my friend!! I followed this thread from the get go and the finished build is nothing but jaw dropping!!

Thank you for sharing my friend!!

Flaps up,

Mike

Rangers Lead The Way

If you would listen to everybody about the inaccuracies, most of the kits on your shelf would not have been built Too Close For Guns, Switching To Finger

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hkshooter

Member since
December 2003
From: Indiana

Posted by hkshooter on Monday, January 26, 2009 11:38 AM

Looks fantastic, Frank! I can't say anymore really. I just really think that build looks incredible.

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soulcrusher

Member since
December 2005
From: back seat of your car with duct tape streched out

Posted by soulcrusher on Monday, January 26, 2009 11:48 AM

Simply awesome there Frank. Make sure you send that one into the Mag so everyone can enjoy it. Its going to be hard to top that one.

Soulcrusher

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MIflyer

Member since
May 2008
From: Ypsilanti, MI

Posted by MIflyer on Monday, January 26, 2009 12:26 PM

Another beautiful effort, Frank! I really like the small added details and subtle shading and weathering. Well done, sir!

A question for you - what led you to machine your own barrels for the outer set of cannons? Is there a difference between the two sets of guns - I'm clueless on 190s, here - or did you want to give the process a go for practice?

Kev

Kevin Johnson Ypsilanti, Michigan USA

On the bench: 1/72 Fujimi Ki-36 J-BAAR

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raptordriver

Member since
September 2006
From: From Vernal UT OH YEA!!

Posted by raptordriver on Monday, January 26, 2009 5:19 PM

Frank I love seeing your builds. Your photography rocks also. I really like those focke wulfs.

Andrew

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model geek

Member since
January 2009
From: Algonquin, IL

Posted by model geek on Monday, January 26, 2009 6:21 PM

Frank,

I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy. Seriously, that is one fine looking 190. I've enjoyed following the post and learned alot. Thanks for answering questions along the way.

Can't wait to see the desert camo!

Tom

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firesmacker

Member since
September 2007
From: Crystal Lake, IL

Posted by firesmacker on Monday, January 26, 2009 6:27 PM

Once again, Frank knocks one outta the park.

Good job. I have the light blue sprayed on the underside of mine. Hopefully I'll get more done this week.

Regards,

Jeff

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WarHammer25

Member since
September 2008
From: North Carolina

Posted by WarHammer25 on Monday, January 26, 2009 6:57 PM

Great job Frank! The finish is amazing. Usually you don't see a FW in whitewash without the Grunherz badge, but it is cool to see something out of the ordinary.

Can't wait to see the desert 109. So is going to be an F Trop model or an early G Trop?

The only easy day was yesterday - U.S. Navy Seals

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mucker

Member since
July 2004
From: Northern KY

Posted by mucker on Monday, January 26, 2009 8:02 PM

Frank, you are a pro in every sense of the word. Tremendous workmanship all the way through the finished product. I've definaqtely learned a thing or three from your build. Not only your build, but your posts are among the best. Great stuff, once again, my friend. You continuously raise the bar

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ruddratt

Member since
February 2006
From: Smithers, BC, Canada

Posted by ruddratt on Monday, January 26, 2009 8:13 PM

Stop showing off, Frank!!!!

Seriously, one of the nicest winter schemes I've seen ever. I'm always looking forward to seeing what rolls off your bench next, my friend. Always a feast for the eyes! Thumbs Up [tup]

Mike

"We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

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Aceman

Member since
January 2009
From: Ontario, Canada

Posted by Aceman on Monday, January 26, 2009 8:16 PM

An OUTSTANDING job Frank, one to be proud of for sure.

Jerry

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Daywalker

Member since
September 2003
From: South Central Wisconsin

Posted by Daywalker on Monday, January 26, 2009 11:55 PM

Thanks again everyone for stopping by! I appreciate the feedback from you all. THANK YOU!!!

SC- Thinking about submitting the photos, but also considering adding a little more weathering to it first. Something is still missing IMHO. As soon as I figure it out, I'll post some updated pics. Thumbs Up [tup]

Kevin- The outer wing cannons on these had flash supressors on them, not sure why they did and the inner ones didn't though. I would love to know why, anyone? I simply machined them to look like the kit ones molded onto the wings.

Brendan- The desert 109 is a G-4, in the markings of the Regia Aeronautica. believe it or not, it will be the first model for me that doesn't have the markings of the country of origin. I am very excited to break outta the mold! Big Smile [:D]

Charles- I really don't know what to say, you are WAY too kind! Honestly, that means a lot to me and I sincerely appreciate that. You made my day with that post. Thank you very much. Approve [^]

Mike- ACK! Thank you, that means a lot coming from you. I like this one, but I still think I like the winter 109 I did last better. Maybe after I figure out what this one is missing, I'll like it better. Smile [:)]

Frank

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MKelley

Member since
December 2002
From: Coldwater, Mich

Posted by MKelley on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 6:20 AM

I can't think of the right words now to express how good this is. I believe that it is flawless. I may have to give up the hobby........or work on my getting my skills up to your standard.

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wing_nut

Member since
April 2005
From: Piscataway, NJ!

Posted by wing_nut on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 8:38 AM

I could hear the commotion all the way over in the armor forum.

Figured I better high tail it over here to see what the ruckus is all about. Sure glad I did. Nice job there Frank. Put the in the place of honor on the shelf. Should be a while before it gets knocked out of the slot.

Marc

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TANGO 1

Member since
December 2002
From: A secret workshop somewhere in England

Posted by TANGO 1 on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 12:30 PM

RELAYED MESSAGE FROM HMSS COMM LINK:

Frank,

that my old mate is the DOG'S BOLLOCKS! Flawless.

TTFN.

MESSAGE ENDS. STYL63783834940404-4-4--40038383833883333.

Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB

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luftwaffle

Member since
December 2004
From: Yokosuka, Japan

Posted by luftwaffle on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 1:59 PM

Another gorgeous build, Frank. Just a stunner all the way around!

aka Mike, The Mikester My Website

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." -Winston Churchill

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DWW

Member since
December 2011

Posted by DWW on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 2:49 PM

Daywalker wrote:
Looking at the photos, I realize how little of the patchiness shows up in them. Does anyone have any suggestions for camera settings, background colors, etc that might help? TIA!

What you've mentioned is interesting and a perennial problem that's difficult to solve. Essentially, it boils down to many digital cameras lacking the ability to differentiate real subtleties of tone (maybe exacerbated by the quality of monitor used to view the images as well).

I've certainly noticed gradations of tone in my models fail to show up in the resultant photos. I've therefore asked myself 'Am I finishing this to suit a web application or so it looks right to the naked eye?'

I personally opt to finish to the latter.The alternative is to increase the contrast in my finishing but this would then look 'over-egged' to the eye and as I live with the things after completion I go for the selfish option instead.

Currently I'm shooting my photos on a Canon S50 compact at 5MP and I'm having to wring its neck to try and squeeze maximum image performance from it. I'm in the market to upgrade to a Canon 450D SLR 12.2 MP tied to a Canon 100mm f2.8 macro lens. I'm hoping the Digic III processor with 14 bit colour rendition plus the flat field lens will see a leap in the amount of image information captured. We'll see.

I do photograph using a polarised daylight source (an Actulite task lamp) - not sure what you're using but if it's ordinary daylight (blue) bulbs then a certain amount of glare (being non-polarised) is inevitable and will have its effect.

What camera / lens are you using Frank? Are they flash or tripod exposures?

Best regards

Steve

NB: Does your camera have the ability to shoot in RAW mode? If so, I understand you can extract greater levels of image information from the files via Photoshop or similar.

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Luftwoller

Member since
February 2007
From: Bournemouth UK

Posted by Luftwoller on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 3:07 PM

Frank, Ive said it before and ill say it again. Shes a honey for sure. From the weathering that does show it look s perfect. I imagine in the flesh it would look even better. You never know, maybe one day i will see it in the flesh LOL. You never know.]

...Guy

..'Your an embarrassment to the human genus, makes me ashamed to call myself Homo'.