Fw 190 Butcher Bird 2013 (extended to June 2014) Group Build

It definitely feels better to be back at the bench again in full swing. Eric you are soooooo right. That assy just really sucks to install but got through it ok. A minor correction in progress here. I just got through painting the windscreen. It'll be ready for the tape to come off tonight.

Simply awesome to hear your at the bench Joe. Good for you, good for the soul, better for us. Keep moving forward my brother.

That upper ip installation is always fun isnt it?

Thanks for the comments guys. Last night I assembled the upper instrument panel and cowl fairing over the IP. This morning I installed the IP assy onto the aircraft. This was no easy trick! I managed though. I also masked the inside and outside of the windscreen and am ready to paint that.

Eight Nifties? Ah, I remember it. We had a conversation about that Jug earlier!  I'll build the same bird in 1/32! I actually got my inspiration for building that particular aircraft when reading your posts in that GB!

You know Clemens, yes the "Big Beautiful Jugs" GB is still open. It was kind of left open ended after Doogs ATX departed (not entirely). So, those of us that were left hanging around just sort of agreed to leave it open as there were some folks finishing up and still getting into it. There has not been much activity there in quite some time. Although, whenever i finally get around to resurrecting "Eight Nifties" I'll post there. Figured since I started it there I might as well finish it there and at least earn the badge.

Eric... As always guy, beautiful work! You too Joe, always enjoy your WIP.

That P-47 Group Biuld is still running? I thought it ended a while ago! I'd love to participate in that one! I have a big Thunderbolt (32nd scale, not started) entered in the NMF GB. I could do a crossover when I start working on it...

To answer your question, Joe: Nope, I'm not in that GB.

One is in the First Time GB/Longest Day GB (crossover) That is Tamiya's Bubbletop kit. I am building William Kepner's transport-Thunderbolt with full invasion stripes as it might've looked on D-Day... (I'm pretty sure that Kepner flew around at that time...) More info about that one is here.

The 2nd one is going to be something "special". It is entered in the REich defenders GB. Yes, you heard right. I managed to get a Thunderbolt in a GB exclusively for German ground-attack planes! If ya wanna know how i did that, just click here (the WIP pics are here).

Cheers, Clemens

Thanks guys!! I am happy with my pre-shading, need to work on cutting my colors a bit though.

Joe - I believe you have done a fine job of detailing the gun bays. I'm just glad to see some progress and oics from you. Keep it coming as it's really good for you and us.

Eric - Beautifully applied paint job as usual. Your pre-shading really works well. 

Heya Clemens. Have you entered those Jugs in the P-47 GB? That thread could use a kick in the pants. DoogsATX who is running that forum sticks his head in from time to time still. There are some bad A builds in there as well.

Eric, Joe: Your 190s are looking extremely awesome! I really like the look of them!

Joe: I can spot some of the silver paint on the pics. It's looking great. The rest of your bird is awesome as well.

Eric: What can I say? That's an awesome paint job you did there!

I can't wait to see more from you!

Now to my progress: There is not much to say... I'm still in the sanding phase and progress is really slow, as I have to get those 2 Thunderbolts finished 'till August. I want to assemble them completely before concentrating on my 190 again.

One of the Jugs will get a natural metal finish, so that will take some time. Here's the stuff I have to do to paint it like that:

• Apply gray primer: I'll let it dry for 24 hours, just to make sure...
• Sand everything with 2000-grit sand paper
• Spray first coat of gloss black: again 24 hours drying time
• Spray second coat of gloss black: 48 hours drying time for this one
• Sand any surface imperfections with 2000, then 4000-grit sand paper
• Polish the whole model untill it's all shiny
• Spray everything in Alclad Airframe Aluminium
• Pick out some panels with Aluminium, Duraluminium and Dark Aluminium

I have a lot of time between most of the steps, so I should have plenty of time to work on my Butcher Bird as soon as I start painting the first Thunderbolt... 

When I build one I usually build it with getting moved around in  mind. I take no chances.

Ahh, I see what you are saying, good idea! I was very worried about those 3 tiny attachment points supporting all that plastic that is the engine, but I was fortunate enough that the rear engine bracket that attaches to them had a very positive attachment point to the top of the wheel well cover. Lots of liquid cement later and that puppy isnt going anywhere!!!

Will look at your pics at home where I can view them. That is half of the rocket tube for engine support. Still working that issue. Just don't want to nick the propeller after its built and knock the engine loose from those bipod mounts!  Those mounts are really all that holding that engine in place.

I think I can see a bit of the silver shining in the pics! Is there a piece of bare styrene sitting in the lower part of the cowl there? What part is that? I dont recall anything going there on my A8, maybe some extra support?

Update on the Dora, got the major painting done. I am going to go ahead with decals next and then do the mottle on the tail as some of it covered the light '41' on the rudder on this bird. I think I am going to mix up some lightened 75/83 and hit some panels with it a tad. Pretty pleased with how it came out so far.

Preshading was done over light sea grey enamel primer.

Then the white band was painted and masked followed by the yellow outer bands.

Then came the 76 on the belly and sides.

(sorry for this very poor out of focus pic)

Then came the main top colors of 75/83. At this point I am DYING to pull of that masking tape!!!

Going to set this one aside and get started on the A8 colors 74/75 this evening hopefully as I already have the 76, the yellow underside of the cowl, and the blue tail band laid down.

Thanks Eric. You can't see it in this picture but there are scrapes of paint chipped off here and there to reveal the aluminum skin of the access panel. I painted them silver first and then applied the paint on the tops and bottoms of the panels. Still have to tint the panels darker. Perhaps a light wash will bring things to light a bit.

Very nice work!!!!

Well guys I haven't posted a picture in a while and figured I would update everyone on progress. I painted, weathered and installed both gun root access hatches. After looking at the pictures it looks like I need to weather them just a tad more.

Clemens: Thats just way too much work to get something in the house! LOL. Out of the choice of hobbies I think my wife MUCH prefers this hobby. I used to build 1:1 scale muscle cars and that sir, IS way more expensive than this hobby.

Archangel: Cant wait to see more pictures out of you. Your build looks fantastic. I built a 1/24 Trumpy Bf109 and those size builds lend themselves to nothing but straight detail and yours is certainly no exception.

Jester: Pics Pics Pics. Following your build is inspirational to me. It gives me hope!  Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Been puttering around with the seat harness set, first time I used one of these and as luck would have it I launched one of the PE seat attach points into the waiting mouth of the carpet monster . Also look like I may have some serious fit issues when I get ready to mount the cockpit assembly to the fuselage. Using the Scale Aircraft Conversions landing gear set and when I get to that stage it will be installing a square peg into a round hole. Being an Airfix kit I knew it would be a challenge. This Weds my surgeon get's to play with her exacto on me and I will be out on sick leave till the 19th so I'm hoping to get a lot more done on the kit during my down time. 

Scott

Doug-You got it man, no sweat! Can't wait to see an update.

Clemens-Same to you man, looking forward to seeing your progress!

Greg-Chime right in man, we're a friendly bunch although you may question some of our sanity.....

I have an update coming for my dual build. Got everything closed up and primed and preshaded. Just finished painting the ID bands and applied the RLM76. Will throw the 74,75, and 83 on tomorrow evening and get an update afterwards. I am at the point right now where I really really really want to remove the tape from the id bands and the cowl on Dortenmanns bird!!!!

SchattenSpartan

How about emptying your box of the Avenger and throwing a 190 kit inside? You can say it's the Avenger you are working on! Those Eduard kits should fit into that box...

Just join the dark side of the force and buy one...

Those Sith tricks worked one time already, so I just try using them on you as well. Just tell me if it works...

Cheers, Clemens

Ha! Will keep these devious ideas in my bag of tricks.

Odd thing is, I'm not even married.

How about emptying your box of the Avenger and throwing a 190 kit inside? You can say it's the Avenger you are working on! Those Eduard kits should fit into that box...

Just join the dark side of the force and buy one...

Those Sith tricks worked one time already, so I just try using them on you as well. Just tell me if it works...

Cheers, Clemens

Joe, that looks fantastic!

Doug, thanks for the welcome. Nice to meet you, too. I wasn't sure it was proper to post in a GB, but figured with the nice bunch around here I wouldn't get yelled at. :)

Doug, Joe, Clemens, I'd love to but..... I don't have a 190 and I'm afraid two builds at a time is not something I'm quite ready for yet. But I truly appreciate you chaps thinking of me, and if it's ok for me to follow along and keep learning stuff with the occasional comment, that'd be great!

I think when I finish my TBM, might put together something not WWII aircraft for a change of pace. Otherwise I'd be jumping all over joining in, after figuring out how to sneak a 190 kit into the house. :)

Looking forward to the pics, Joe! I'm still busy with sanding and filling, followed by some more sanding, followed by polishing,... I think you got it...

Rigidrider

second... Joe (Mustang) looking forward to more of your 190 too! I do admire your patience and persistance!

Doug

First... Joe... Like others have said, WOW. would have never pictured that but I do love the unusual schemes! Well done my brother...

second... Joe (Mustang) looking forward to more of your 190 too! I do admire your patience and persistance!

Doug

SchattenSpartan

They are great kits, but you must be completely mad (like me and Eric) to build more than one of them at the same time... There aint nothin' bad about it!

Joe: That is some stunning work on the camo! I love it!

mustang1989

SchattenSpartan

Greg: I have the same question as everyone else: Are you only having a look at this bunch of crazy and maybe a bit masochistic (everyone who is building an Eduard kit) people?

Hey what can I say?? Eduard makes a great 190 kit.

They are great kits, but you must be completely mad (like me and Eric) to build more than one of them at the same time... There aint nothin' bad about it!