FW-190 Reich Defender III 5/10-2/11

Andrew- Absolutely GORGEOUS!  I love this one.  By far your best work.  The camo on the wings and the fuselage is perfect.  Seriously, I would call this a master's level build if I ever saw one.

raptordriver

I think I have improved a lot, but still I am not even close to the masters.

Don't sell yourself short!  You're a lot closer than you think.  At the rate you are progressing, your work is going to be what we all compare ours to.  Nicely done, and thank you for being a part of this!  Glad to hear you will still be around.

Guy thats a sweet 190 man Love the weathering and the markings very very well done indeed

                           Alright as promised. I would have posted these last night, but I have been way too busy. I think that this is my best build because I tried my best mottling the fuselage, and I filled the wing gap seams, and I used Tamiya tape to mask the canopy, and I used paper masks for the wing camo. This is my 11th build this year, so without further interruptions:

The A-8 above was the plane I built 10 months ago. I think I have improved a lot, but still I am not even close to the masters.

For those of you who don't know me, I am an aviation nut. I am even working on my pilots licence. Anyway after some research I was shocked to see how good the Fw-190A was. In 1942 It was superior to any Russian, British or even American planes. Was Hauptmann Hans "Assi" Hahn the highest scoring Fw-190 ace?

Last, does someone have a tip on the landing gear assembly? I have trouble aligning landing gears. Anyway thanks for the awesome GB Frank! I will still be around watching, but now I am moving onto my next build (spirit of St. Louis)

Again thanks everyone!

What incredible work is going on here! Steve's diorama -- simply superb, the figure work tells its story and is so beautifully compelling, setting off the meticulously finished aircraft to perfection. Now Guy's Black 13, another classic plane with a finish so good you'd swear you can smell hot oil and cordite. The bare metal chips are very realistically done!

My hat is off, gents!

Cheers, Mike/TB379 ... who would paint something if it wasn't a pouring, cold day in winter...

Guy- Great Goggly Moogly, you finished that one already?  You are a machine mate.  Well done!  Especially the camo sprayed around the fuselage crosses- nice touch.  I updated page one for you.

I have to admit, Black 13 is one of my favorite schemes, gotta build one for myself one of these days.

On a side note, a package arrived from Jason (SupressionFire) with the needed bits for my build!  Feels good to be back on track with mine.  Thanks a million Jason!

Guy, thats fantaboulious build. From the weathering to the finish its a beauty. Great job my friend

Steve

Outstanding build Guy!!!!!!! Stunning work as always!!!!!

Splendid Guy, looks very aggressive in those colours, which I like . Were those the lifecolour paints, what did you think in the end, yay or nay?

Cheers...

Guy- Nice stuff. I like your weathering.

I have been finished with mine since last night, but I don't have time to post pictures. I will tonight though.

Well im calling this one finished. The only thing i left off was the detailing on the top of the UC legs. Anyhoo, heres the pics. I liked this build,

Im not saying thats the last for this GB but i have to go build something un-Luftwaffe im afraid, but be assured ill still be watching,

...Guy

Clebode; I use my spray booth and rolls of vinyl .The vinyl is colored and I use it for letters and such in my sign work.Sign supply houses have roll ends for cheap ,or a local sign shop may sell pieces.I tape one end to the top of the booth and pin the bottom. Its tricky to dodge the glare from the light ,but I set this up in moments and the pix look good in all my wips ,different colors look good as well. Ill post a pic of the setup next time on here.

Wow, I've only been able to go back a couple of pages, but you guys have cranked out some AWESOME builds!

I'm still plugging away on my 1/72 Hasegawa A8, but (long story short) my inability to obtain any form of broadband internet has pretty much killed my forum attendance. Blah. I'll be sure to post some finished pics, and hopefully - internet gods willing - some WIP stuff as well.

Hope you guys are all doing well. Talk soon!

Mucker-  Great work on the G-2, I need to pick up the pace to keep up with you guys!

Lotsa eye candy going on here guys and they are coming so fast its hard to keep up. to all.

Steve your dio really makes the build and the mechanics are a show stopping addition to the build. Man I am happy you didnt cover up all that engine detail. Shes a winner my friend.

Hehe sorry Mucker!!! I had another look and guess what???? There are different colors in there!! I see the RLM 70 on the prop and a few other things and realized you used the two-tone gray scheme.

Thanks for the kudos guys!!

Darren, I know exactlly what you mean about the cat. When I was reunited with my two girls I left the door open on my man cave and went to bed. Next day I saw one of my medicine cups(paint and glue pallets) on the floor. Just said, well I see you two are still cheeky as ever. now keep the door closed when I am not around or asleep. Luckily that was the only thing on the floor, got two builds and other bits lying around!!! This is the sort of attitude we get back, is it not true Darren!!??

yeah, and what are you going to do about it?

Clebode -- I'll be building her closed up, i love the clean lines, plus the kit is not designed to show off the insides. I have a couple of Dragons in 1:48 that are probably designed to build that way and would give a fight to close up, so I might experiment with 'laying bare' a Wurger at a later date.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Thanks, all.

Richie: THose are (sadly) color pictures...haha. I'll re-take some photoes, changing the settings. They look a tad over-exposed and I wasn't using a flash. A little toned down might add some depth.

Steve: I'm not sure about the landing gear indicators. They were called out for in the instructions, but I'll have to do more research. It wouldn's be the first time ProModeler made an error. And, hey, it should be an easy fix if it's incorrect: I seem to have a knack for breaking things off!

Leave for a week and on return - overload.  Great work everyone.  I apologize if I miss anyone.

Mucker---The G-2 is beautiful.  Love the "period" photos.

Krow---That big plane looks like a great starting point.  The photos are top notch too.  Would you share your technique.  I have a pretty elaborate photo rig.

Andrew--I lnow what you've done would surpass my best build by a mile.  Soooo clean!!

Steve--I thought your build was one ofthe best I have seen as a stand alone.  The dio is great too.  How about a fuel drum?

Tbolt---The engine looks better than fine but I agree that these engine subkits are bittersweet.  Lots of work just disappears behind the sheet metal.  Unless your going to leave her open?

I will finish the PCM Ta152 soon.  Just the antenna wire and weathering to go.  I've been working on a Bf109E-4 and want to get it primed before I put the Ta back on the bench.  Not enough room for both.

Richie---Ah yes!  Spinners for Frank.  Good luck with the 1:72 spiral decal.

Mike and Steve, well done on your builds guys they both look awesome

I've had a slight change in plans on the marking front and a near disaster averted last night.

Firstly I picked up a set of Jerry Crandall's very fine EagleCals decals and will be switching to Black 4 pictured below.

On the near disaster side of things I was grouping the parts for my Eduard 190 into bowls for painting RLM 66, RLM 02 and a couple of shades of metal.  Unfortunately the bloody cat got into the man cave during the night and sent the contents of the little plastic bowls scattered across the bench and the floor .

Luckily after forty five minutes on my hands and knees with a torch I found everything, saving me a wrecked kit and saving the kids from needing a new cat.

Now that is out of the way assembly has commenced.

Cheers

Mucker, well done on a lovely job, looks great to me and I'm sure it doesn't need hiding away

Steve, beautiful build. I like the dio I think when you add a few extras it will set it off perfectly.

Great work everyone, nice progress Richie, Thunderbolt and Raptor . Krow the detail on the engine looks great, look forward to seeing it painted up.

Cheers...

Wow, heaps of pics over the last coupleof Pages......Great Work one and all..

S'cer- The kit is ok, the cowl panel hinges are one of few inaccuracies in this kit.From what I understand the kit is very good and nicely correct. I think of these kits as raw material for a 'piece' or 'project' so I am rarely disapointed in box contents. 

You will see in the front fuse pic posted prior- I have sanded off the horizontal panel hinge and glued Evergreen plastic rod in its place ,I am hoping for a subtle visual misdirection in this area .The top panel is made to be removable ,but little detail is seen ,I have thinned the fuse cowl area ,checking with a light on the panel lines and will cut the cowl open next year for the detail display . The engine has at least 150-200 parts added -bolts ,nuts , strip , rod , etc. I have s/s tube/wire for the ignition leads and different hoses for the plumbing.I wanna see the Dora slim and trim before the detail display cutting.Such a cool plane needs to be displayed closed as the 'opened up' look disrupts the lines. I like both looks but.........

The Verlinden cockpit fit great with very careful sanding/fitting.I am looking forward to the i/p -every guage is 3-4 parts!

The landing gear are a prob as well ,molded in delrin ,so I got a few glue ideas on here and after the bobber comes the D-9,starting with the landing gear.The kit is fully dry fitted and primed after solving the l/gear it will go into paint. .  Seein' the stuff on here got me goin' and I pulled the parts and took the new pix.

Yes, Guy, it's Turkish. In fact from 1947.

Steve, the dio looks great but deffo needs a little something. Maybe a fueling cart sat around or, like Crusher says, a bit of detritus. I love the way the road came out with the Citroen. If your using that grass matting stuff, i believe you can spray over it to alter the colour slightly. Anyhoo, its still great and something ive not ever done in the past so im looking forward to hearing what you come up with ,

Charles, great job mate. Nicely pulled together. I know that kit can be a bit of a trial but it deffinately looks like you nailed it. I be proud to have it on my shelf buddy,

...Guy

krow I have one of thoses big Dora's in the stash to. I am enjoying watching you work on this one. Let me know if you come across anything that might trip me up when I finally build mine.

Soulcrusher

Steve and Charles- Well done fellas, welcome across the finish line!  Thank you for posting those photos, well done.  I updated page one for you both!

Really some exceptional work going on here by all of you, This GB is already turning out to be a memorable one.  Keep those WIP coming, I love looking at them all.

Thanks for the comments on my big bird , I hope it will fit in with the rest on here ,one of the better group

builds ongoing......................

Andrew- Exceptional work, your best to date!  I built that same aircraft years ago.  I poured over the photos looking for anything amiss, and I see nothing buddy.  Looking very good indeed!

Krow- WOW, that thing is a beast!  Your work is very good indeed, and the detail is brought out well in the photos.

Dio looks fine ,I would only add some small deatils to re-inforce what is going on ie: tools , service carts (ammo , oil , fuel) ,  and supplies. You have the main elements ,just supplement them. Great work!