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

Been at the bench on and off all day airbrushing. Still only 75% done! I have to mask the tail to spray it all yellow and I have to mask the black part of the tailband. I'm gonna wait till everything dries and mask them tomorrow. I do'nt think I have done this much airbrushing in the last couple of days ever! Man my hands tired.

Soulcrusher

Nice progress Clebode. That is not an easy kit to build and you are doing a fine job so far.

I am on about step ten of twenty in the painting sequence on my 190. I choses the craziest paint scheme and I have used enough masking tape to tie up a couple of hostages already! I can already see the colors are really going to make this 190 really cool. I have been airbrushing for the last two nights and I am about halfway done laying down paint. More painting in a bit. I got al of my killing done on Call of Duty MW2 already so I'm good to go!

Soulcrusher

Sidure, SC and Guy---You are all moving ahead with some real nice work.  Thanks for the inspiration.  I will be saving Guy's paint on photos as a guide when I get there on the Ta152.

Finally I have made some real progress!  The lower wing is on.  I went with a resin upgrade and it really kicked my a**.  I even picked up a Hasegawa FW190A-5 in case I couldn't figure out the Ta152.

After I had the Jumo 213 and the 30mm MK 108 attached to the framing I tried a dry fit into the fusalge and after the assembly went in it was never coming out in one piece.   It wedged between the two exhaust manifolds.  Thus no photos of the engine, cannon, frame puzzle.  I have also broken off a half dozen or so little bits from the framing and in the wells that I had to replace with styrene rod and some PE scrap.   Today was good though.  FedEx guy delivered some microballoons and the little mites were just the thing for filling big holes and gaps in the wingroots.  Got some Alcad primer on too.      

Here are two shots of the wheel wells.

Now comes another real challenge, surgery to the PCM upper wing to fit the configuration below.

Well football was off today, due to some tornament that noone was informed of..Nice. But what that meant was i had a good morning at the bench. I looked in my Eduard 190A box at the U/C legs in there. Must say they wernt pretty either but mucho bettero than the Dora's..So, shes now standing on her own 2 feet. Still a few more odds and ends to finish up but the finishing line is deffo in sight,

...Guy

Thank you Randy, much appreciated!

Guy, stunning work on the Dora. As always.

Those seam lines look like a pig though.

Itching to start my Tamiya D-9 but at least another 2 builds to do first.

Karl

Guy she's really looking good mate!!!!

Guy   Nice job looking good

Guy, Dora looks great, cept for them seam lines on her legs. Could almost pass for brake lines. Just opened the Tamiya kit and even the instructions show the seam line running across the wing root MG covers. I'd have missed that one for sure, thanks. Best of luck tomorrow.

Voidses

When it comes to AC I might be a Me-109G/K fan, but this GB has made me quite eager to build one of those FW-190. I'v got a D-9 from Academy in my stash, maybe I'll join if I may. And can get time to finish my current build  (I newer build more than one model at a time).

What do you say? Should I stop lurking around and join?

 / Carl

Carl jump right in the waters great and there is a great group of builders here too, I have learned a bunch from these guys and Daywalker ( AKA Frank) is a grand host

Guy- See?  I knew it would have some stickers on it sometime today.  I agree with your assessment of Eduard's decals- the best I have ever used!  The teeny tiny ones on my lil' 262 were a dream to put on, even the yellow fuselage bands went on perfectly.  Bummer about those legs, they really do look awful in the photo.  Hopefully, you'll have better luck getting some than I did with a similar problem on my Hasegawa Hurricane.  Contacted them in 2008, and they were looking into it.  I'm still waiting...

Carl- By all means, join the fun!  Say the word, and I'll add that kit and your name to the roster!  Most of us do not bite, 'cept for bondo.  Keep yer mitts off of his mug, and you'll prolly be OK.

When it comes to AC I might be a Me-109G/K fan, but this GB has made me quite eager to build one of those FW-190. I'v got a D-9 from Academy in my stash, maybe I'll join if I may. And can get time to finish my current build  (I newer build more than one model at a time).

What do you say? Should I stop lurking around and join?

 / Carl

Crusher, 15 different paint colours? Wow, thats extreme. I think mine used about 9 different colours, including having to paint the yellow and red fuz band.

bondoman

Guywillikins, those are ugly seams. maybe replace em with alum tube/rod, make the thicky parts with a wrap of something like softened plastic and then shave off and glue on the square fitting thingers.

All this talk about legs and seams and shaving is raising my blood pressure!

Might be a job for Fritzi!

I hear you Billybob, and i would expect to do that on an old Airfix or FM kit, but not a brand spanking new Eduard kit. I emailed them and ill see. Ill also check the Eduard 190A kit i have to see if the legs are dodgy on there too. Talking of Dodgy legs, football tomorrow, Wish me luck,

...Guy

 

 

Guywillikins, those are ugly seams. maybe replace em with alum tube/rod, make the thicky parts with a wrap of something like softened plastic and then shave off and glue on the square fitting thingers.

All this talk about legs and seams and shaving is raising my blood pressure!

Might be a job for Fritzi!

She looks good in those colors Guy. Man those are some ugly seems on th U/C legs there.

I layed down step one of the 15 I am going to have to go through to obtain the finish I want I my build. The NMF is dry and ready to be buffed. Tonight I should be able to mask it and then lay down the cool blue/green on the fuselage bottom and sides. This is going to be the most steps I think I have even done on one aircraft finish even.

Soulcrusher

As promised, heres where the old girl is now,

The decals in Eduard kits are just the best ive ever used. The carrier film is just so thin. I always use 'Mr Setter' when applying them and the results are just awesome. Even with my own critical eye, i can hardly make out the carrier fil and its yet to have its gloss overcoat. Cracking Eduard. On a negative point, (I seem to be having a right go at this kit) I came today to the U/C legs. These things have some sort of mold separation in them. The only thing i can liken them too is a limited run kit! Heres what i mean,

By the time i scrape the thing out, they will be almost square!! Or square with rounded corners. Im going to Email Eduard to see what they have to say before i fit them. Lets see what thier aftersales service is like,

...Guy

Wow, some great info on the available kits. Fantastic looking progress all.  

Your right about the wheels Frank, the MDC set are a fraction smaller than the Eduard set. I reckon its a bit subjective though. Ive rattled through hundreds of pics of D9's and A through F's wheels and theres so many different looks to them. If you have a slightly underinflated wheel sitting in soft ground on weak shocks, its most definately going to look a lot different to a factory plane on hard standing. I have a feeling these AM guys are loving this and making a packet from us rivet counters/ measurers LOL

In my defence though, the detail in the MDC hubs is amazing.

At present the plane has its decals on, all eccept the wing walk lines (My new pet hate btw) and im trying to modify my ETC rack to actually look like one. From the verlinden set i have a very late cigar shaped fuel tank thats crying out to be fitted.

Pics soon,

...Guy

Steve...Thanks for the heads up on the Eduard fit issues I was looking at the instuctions while reading your post and know exactly what to look out for.....you have saved me a whole heap of stress and mess......Cheers

You got it Art, list updated!

Daywalker

Luftwoller:

Wingus and Dingus are on thier way to you. Wingus took some butter and his latex catsuit!

The main problem with all of the other 190 kits is that the gun cover is not molded separately, and theres nothing worse than seeing a fantastically finished kit with a seam line down the centre of the gun cover. In its favour the Eduard kits mold this part separately, though its a s0d to get it to fit neatly,

...Guy

 

WHAT???  What do you mean HIS catsuit?

I never realized that about the other 190 kits.  Just took a look at my Tamiya 190, and OMG!  You are so right.  I shall try to fix that on this build.  That's what I love about these GB's, learn new things EVERY time.  Thanks Guy!

Thanks too for comparing those wheels.  Looking at the photo, the wheel itself appears to be larger on the MDC unit.  Is it really, or am I imagining that?  Perhaps that is why Aires made a replacement.  Great progress on your Dora, bet you have the stickers on by the time you read this LOL.

Steve- Wow mate, that's a lot of work on that one!  That is the worst part of a build IMHO, all of the fitting and sanding to get everything to fit.

Art- That's a bummer about your build, sorry to hear it!  Would you like me to add the Eduard Dora to page one for you?

Yeah, Frank. If you don't mind, please put me down for the Fw 190 D-9. I gotta give it another shot. No guts, no glory. lol

Art

Thanks Guy!!!! Awesome, I picked up a jar of that same color last time I went paint shopping, I bought several brands of the three main colors, 81,82, and 76. Will choose which has the best look, but after seeing your dora in the 81 Xtracrylix that color is chosen.

Luftwoller

Wingus and Dingus are on thier way to you. Wingus took some butter and his latex catsuit!

The main problem with all of the other 190 kits is that the gun cover is not molded separately, and theres nothing worse than seeing a fantastically finished kit with a seam line down the centre of the gun cover. In its favour the Eduard kits mold this part separately, though its a s0d to get it to fit neatly,

...Guy

WHAT???  What do you mean HIS catsuit?

I never realized that about the other 190 kits.  Just took a look at my Tamiya 190, and OMG!  You are so right.  I shall try to fix that on this build.  That's what I love about these GB's, learn new things EVERY time.  Thanks Guy!

Thanks too for comparing those wheels.  Looking at the photo, the wheel itself appears to be larger on the MDC unit.  Is it really, or am I imagining that?  Perhaps that is why Aires made a replacement.  Great progress on your Dora, bet you have the stickers on by the time you read this LOL.

Steve- Wow mate, that's a lot of work on that one!  That is the worst part of a build IMHO, all of the fitting and sanding to get everything to fit.

Art- That's a bummer about your build, sorry to hear it!  Would you like me to add the Eduard Dora to page one for you?

soulcrusher

Hey slow down thier Guy! Give some of us a chance to catch up mate! Still waiting on Wingus and Dingus!

Soulcrusher

Well Guy did give ya'll a head start

Hey slow down thier Guy! Give some of us a chance to catch up mate! Still waiting on Wingus and Dingus!

Soulcrusher

Cheers, the RLM 81 i use is from the Xtracrylics range. Its code is XA1210. A lot of thier other RLM colours are a bit suspect IMO, for instance thier 71 and 72 looks fairly identicle in colour! ,also thier RLM 83 (XA1212) is labelled as 'Lichtgrun' whereas in reality Lichtgrun is RLM 82. RLM 83 should be Dark Green. Anyhoo, as long as you keep your wits about you, theyre fairly nice paints to work wityh.

Oh and ive decalled my beast today.....and the plane,

...Guy

WOW there is some great work going on here!!!!!! Loving the progress pics guys, Keep'em coming!!!

Guy what paint are you using for the Braunviolett???? It looks spot on to me!!!

nomad68

Art  I am concerned I am building the same kit and dont want that to happen to me is that spar the cause for your plane not turning out ? if you could post pics of what happened that might help me to not have that happen. Have enjoyed watching everyones build so far great work. I started on the TA152 engine last night and will post pics as soon as I have something worthy to show.

Damon

What happened was, I applied my glue in too wide of a bead along the edge of my wings, and then I used clothes pins & small plastic spring clamps as clamps. At every spot where I had a clamp, along the rear of the wing, there was a large dip where the upper & lower wing half adhered to one another. I used entirely too much glue

This was completely my fault, and not the kits. The only judgment that I'll make on the kit, is that the plastic may be a little on the soft side.

On the bright side, if you happen to need some spare pieces parts, you'll know where to come.

Art

Art  I am concerned I am building the same kit and dont want that to happen to me is that spar the cause for your plane not turning out ? if you could post pics of what happened that might help me to not have that happen. Have enjoyed watching everyones build so far great work. I started on the TA152 engine last night and will post pics as soon as I have something worthy to show.

Damon

sidure

Hey Jules, in regard to the problems you hear us talking about in the Eduard kits wing. I think Guy said it best a few posts above, the lower wing has a main spar that sets the dihederal that must be placed exactly correctly. There are sub assemblies that come off that spar like the ribs of the wheel wells that connect to the spar and the leading edge of the wing on the inside. Then there is some parts behind the spar that will set the position of the main wheeel well that goes on top of the whole assembly boxing everything in. I took my time with all this work but when you try to put the tops of the wings on they dont even come close to fitting or closing up. You now find yourself sanding and cutting away the tops of the spars and roof of the wheel well and in my case enlarging the holes where the ribs mate and the holes for the gun barrells.

The same problems show up with all the detail of the fuselage, cockpit, gun bay and firewall prevent the fuselage from joining. So guess what back to cutting and sanding. These must pate perfectly as when you join the fuselage to wings the interion interlock with the wing. So guess what cutting and sanding again to get it to seat properly. At this stage I have sanded the wheel bay to paper thin and the spar and supports are sanded way down as well as the gun bay in the wing and fuselage. I ended putting a spreader in the fuselage to get the wing joint gap to close up and taped the wing tip to wing tip to pull it tighter and I still have a noticable step in the wing to fuselage. I did the same as SC and set the leading edge and trailing edge and will have to use filler on the rest.

Sorry for the long winded response but those are the issues I had. In a nutshell you have to get everything set perfectly and even then I think you will still be sanding. And there is no way to check your progress as you go.

Steve

LOL. I was just coming on the thread to tell Frank that I wasn't going to be finishing my Dragon Ta152 H-0.

It's been moved to the spare parts box because I screwed up on the wings, which are basically the same as the Eduard kits. Being a gluton for punishment, I just ordered Eduard's 1/48 Fw 190D-9.

I over glued and over clamped the wings and really screwed up the fit at the wing roots. There ain't enough puddy in the modeling world to fix the dips created by the human dip who's typing this post.

Art