Going for broke! Revell 1/32 Arado 196 A3

Repairs? Patches? Hmmmm, that's a really good idea. Maybe I could try and add a bit of that into this build?

While I build, I'm also thinking of the final paint scheme. Go German as the box art suggests or possibly a Japanese version?

great work on the cockpit! it turned out great, washes, drybrushing, looks like it all came out real well. I dont' build in 1 32 but i'd say you nailed the pit. Japanese markings look interesting

Nathan

Electric Blues

No critique?

Honestly it's a bit hard to critique the quality at this point - you're doing a pretty bang-up job!

But since you've asked for it, I will point out that the wiring coming off the back of the IP seems a bit oversized for the scale. Particularly the red wire.

One thing you may want to consider is taking several strands of very small gauge wire and twisting them together to look like the wires have been braided. 

Thanks guys!

I don't think the panel wiring will be visible once it's closed up but the braided wires suggestion sounds great so I'm going to do that before I close up the fuselage. I'll post pictures of the results before closing it up as well.

Now I have to decide what color the inside of the fuselage will be so that it's correct but a shade that will let the inside structure stand out visibly.

Here's some progress shots. The purple smudge on the seat isn't there. It's probably just a reflection of the camera lens.

Electric Blues

Not so good at airplanes huh?

Need some critque huh?

Need some help do ya?

OK then here's a crtique for ya... Damn nice work!  Makiin' me want to build mine.

I probably have some swastikas in the box I can send you.  When you decide on a scheme just let me know the style you need and I'll take a look.

Thank you very much Wingnut and thanks for your kind decal offer!

I honestly don't have much aircraft modeling experience, aside from ruining well over a dozen airplane kits now. I did however model cars for about six years and even won a few contests at that. Afterward, I took a five year break.

Armor and aircraft  are still pretty new to me though but I've been having a blast learning the new techniques for the last year or two. I've picked up many tips here on the forums and feel that I'm finally getting proficient enough that my airplane builds won't end up on the waste basket, even though they are still very far from being contest quality.

I realize I still have a million things to learn and perfect but don't see it as a definitive finish line on the horizon. It's more of enjoy the road and the ride while you're on it. 

Hi Dan,,,  haven't checked in for a while,,,  you are putting loads of talent into this build..  very nice indeed.    Everything looks great...    Even though you say you have not built much armor or aircraft, your expertise certainly does cross-over.          Wonderful work.

I also agree,,,  enjoy the ride    as you have noted         (I also carry that as my tag line)

Will keep watching........

Bill

Thanks very much Bill.

Got busy last night braiding thin wires for the panel.

Didn't go very well but I'll keep trying this afternoon when I get back from work. With the little I did get done, it does look a lot more "scale like". Considered not doing it at all since it won't be seen but on second thought, will continue the wiring process until I get it right.

 All right!

I got three thinner gauge wires and managed to braid them together. Thank you for this wonderful suggestion! I think it'll work in other applications as well, like armor.

Here they are in place. Still not perfect but I like it much better than the red and green wire I had installed there initially.

And here's the end results. The wires will never be seen again. Well, at least I know they're in there and I learned something new. Thanks guys!

I have to say that I've really enjoyed the fit of this kit. Every thing goes into place very well. The Revell 1/32 BAE Hawk I recently finished was pretty decent but the fit on this Arado is much better. 

A Critque? Outstanding my son!!!!!!!!

This should help you further

100% match luftwaffe paints from original unfaded paint chips

/forums/t/138929.aspx

My own Arado painted up using the list above.

THe list has since been updated with some new colours.

Hope this helps.

James

James,

Thanks very much for the color luftwaffe colkors and they will be a huge help! Also, thanksfor the photos of your wonderful finished build.

Since you have the experioence with this kit, do you think it would be possible to build mine with one extended wing and the other still folded?  

Yes it is possible. Quite a few builds have shown this way. All you do is just follow the instructions for wing folded on one side and extended on the other. they are independant of each other.

Like this

http://www.hyperscale.com/2010/galleries/arado196a332dw_1.htm

Should give you some ideas.

James

great work, makes me want to start on mine!

snapdragonxxx

Yes it is possible. Quite a few builds have shown this way. All you do is just follow the instructions for wing folded on one side and extended on the other. they are independant of each other.

Like this

http://www.hyperscale.com/2010/galleries/arado196a332dw_1.htm

Should give you some ideas.

 

James

Thanks again! Great linky!

Shawn M.

great work, makes me want to start on mine!

Thanks Shawn. Well worth it, a very nice and fun kit all around. 

OK.

I've let the fuselage dry for a whole day since I closed it up. Time to work on the seams. I hate seams, truly despise them.

This kit has a lot of seams. Besides the usual top and bottom ones, it has seams the work their way around the wing roots as well. The main reasons I hate seams is because I lose detail when sanding and because a scriber is useless in my hands. I realize I won't be mastering either skill during this build but I have to at least be competent.

To avoid work, I tried to be very careful when I glued the fuselage half's together. I held parts together and used Tenax or  Tamiya very thin. I slight separated the parts, pushed them back together a few times and added glues as needed, until I got a bit of melted plastic squeezing out of the seam when held together for the last time.

I used clamps where I could to make sure I good a got weld. On some parts it wasn't possible to do so and on some I couldn't get the goo to squeeze out so I guess I'll have to use filler on those. I made a bit of "liquid plastic" to use as a filler with Tamiya very thin glue and some plastic from sprues from this same kit.

 This airplane's fuselage has parts that are covered in metal sheet and others covered with canvas. I will be covering the metal parts with bare metal foil and wine bottle lead before painting. I'll be adding repair patches on both before painting.  I realize the paint will have to have a different texture on each.

I you are going the repair patches I suggest that you lighten the overall paint slightly then use the proper colour that way your repair will look newer with the slightly darker paint on it.

James

Great tip James!

I'll keep it in mind when painting begins.

 Well, all the seams have been taking care of.

Even using the liquid plastic, it'll still take about a day to dry completely and let me work on it. I like using the liquid plastic because once dry, it sands at the same rate as the plastic that surrounds it.

The instruction's next steps are all related to wing building. I think I'll skip around a bit and go for the engine next though.That looks like there could be a lot of detail work added to it.

Haven't stopped or quit the project. I'm just taking a long time with the seams.

They have always been a problem for me and now I realize I was doing it too quickly and not carefully enough, so I'm taking my sweet time with this one. I'll be going slow and careful with the scriber and panel lines as well.

I'd like to just move ahead and work on the engine, pontoons and other sections but I think it's important to stay on the seams now and tough it out. 

Looks great so far- I'll have to try using the "liquid plastic" technique for seam filling- looks like it will work well.

Rob

Thanks!

Just be careful when applying the liquid plastic so that there are no air bubbles in it, since that will defeat its  purpose and make sure to squeeze it down into all the nooks and crannies. Use as little as possible.

I also just found out it's easier to use sprues from another kit so the color will be easier to see.

Very happy with the seam work. There are seams on the wing root as well as its front and back. Seams on top too.I touched up the panel lines after these photos and am pleased with that as well.

Here it is sealed up and with a little paint added.

I did different finishes for the metal and canvas sections. I also high lighted the high and lows in the canvas section.

Weathering and camouflage will come later.

Amazing work so far! i'll agree sanding seams is my worst step also, i'm doing a hasegawa arado 234 right now and the seams are in awful to get to places. Looks like you conquered them!

Nathan

Thanks Nathan!

Still quite a ways to go but I'm happy with the results so far. Finishing up the engine now.

are you enjoying the build electric?

I had a really fun time and now that there is a Big Ed set from Eduard that adds all those little extras it comes alive. I intend on doing another with the Big Ed set. bit the large scale stuka and Zero has my bench tied up for a while!

I hope you are following those builds too.

James

Yes James,

I am enjoying to Arado build very much! I've run into a snag in attaching the engine and its cowls. I can't get all the pieces and covers to line up. I think I took the best approach for the moment and stepped away from my bench. I'll get back to it in a few days when I return home. On my way to the airport now.

...and yes, I have been following the epic Stuka build, although for me that's has been like looking into another world! It's clear to me that what I do is assemble parts and paint them, while your work on the Stuka is modeling! True craftsmanship there and something I should strive for. I have a Hasegawa 1/32 Stuka in my stash and your build photos will be printed out and set next to the instructions as reference.

Thank you for that Stuka thread. Not only for the fantastic build but for taking the time and great effort needed to create a thread like that!

Dan 

I'm jealous, because I have 200+ years of models in my polystyrene pits I won't be building that kit.  If I was making that beautiful kit, when it came to painting, and it was modeled as a shipboard craft, I would give it a fine overspray of white to simulate salt spray.  I have been modeling for 50 years, and who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks.  I loved the techniques I learned about hiding seams, thank you.

Salt spray?
Sounds like a fantastic idea. Maybe I'll try it on the pontoons!

Thank you!!!!!