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

The dark spots in the center of the cross and the circles on the gear legs is red primer, covering up a patch or something:

...Also around the lifting hole above the Group bar.

Wing leading edges and gear doors RLM 75:

I think I posted a profile a ways back...Hope this helps. 

Yeah Greg, never underestimate a modeler.  Especially this one.

However to be honest, I really didn't think I would either.  I thought I was pretty much screwed.  LOL  This was WAY beyond my comfort level, and if I hadn't spent so much on it I would have planted it against the wall rather than attempt to fix it.

Blackdog, the gun barrels are from Master. It seems Sprue Brothers carries them but Squadron does not. I am sure there are other sources, but Sprue Bros is the source I am aware of.

Joe, with your skills, by the time you get done nobody will ever know about the gluing mishap.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Greg. I'm most of the way done with it. Just got to take a pic that I can display what I've done with. Will come up with something tomorrow.

Well here's today's update. I have pictured here the Aires cowl gun cover on the right and the Eduard D-9 part on the left. Its fairly obvious why I'm going with the Eduard part here. First the pic and then some additional commentary:

As far as the Aires update goes I am overall satisfied with the level of detail pertaining to the engine, cannon bays and cockpit. Thumbs up on the engine, mounting and overall fit of that. Cannon bays.....well you know I'm mostly satisfied with that. The biggest problem I have had with the update are the engine panels and fairings. I mean good grief here! As you can plainly see in the picture the resin cover is WAY off. The engine side panels look good outwardly but are way too short in length, and the gun trough cover was short as well. I'm pressing ahead with the finish of this aircraft to the best  of my ability and although it will have these shortcomings (no pun intended) I'll make it look as good as I can. I'm going to chalk this one up to experience though and give a warning ahead of time to those of you looking at obtaining this Aires update kit: If you can save the box engine panels when removing them , do so. If you plan to use the Aires panels then measure from the back of the engine nose piece to the firewall and mount the nose on the engine accordingly. I installed the nose as per photographs of the real thing. Other than that, I'm pressing onwards..............

Thanks for that comment on the Aires set, buddy!

I'll go to a model show in 2 weeks (in the museum of military history here in Vienna) and I saw that Aires is there as well, so I'm preparing myself for an AM shopping spree (all the stuff there is about 1/3rd off normally) and I'm really thinking of buying one of those sets.

Joe, appreciate the info, pics and commentary re Aires. Good stuff to know.

Clemens and Greg: Thanks guys! I guess I led the way with that particular update here and didn't want you guys to attempt this thing without a heads up.

NATHAN.    thanks for the pics.  my primer is not going be exact but it's free hand and done just need chipping and flat and shes done.

FANTACMET.....i don't know if this helps but you can try CA  debonder it says dissolves All typs of glue. Just test it on plastic first.

GREG,,,,,thanks I'll have look closer at there site. I have bin there before but was just a quick look.

Looking at that  Pilot standing on black 12' his flight cloths look like high altitude typ a lot different from the early yrs. Maybe this was for getting up to the bombers altitude ?

Well I could be wrong. Wasn't they a lighter material and blue in the early yrs

Just so you dudes don't think I aint doing anything to her. I reserve these kinds of photos for folks who inquire about my hobby and can easily have something to relate to scale but this does show the cowling on the port side in the open position without the prop rod. Thats coming. Still working on the cowl gun cover which I will cover in greater detail this weekend.....er ...Friday... and working on the aerial antenna. Here's where she's at now with some outside lighting,

Seriously outstanding work Joe!

Thanks JJ! These panels are really a work out but we're makin' it through it. This is the fully painted Eduard D-9 cowl gun access cover:

without hinges!!!! Crap!

Here are the donor hinges from my spare A8 sprues:

and one by one they come off the firewall:

and go onto the cowl itself.

a little paint and weathering touch up this afternoon after I get home from work and this thing will be ready for a wash on the bottom side and then installation.

Sweet work Mustang. She looks pretty mean all opened up. Glad your getting the gun cover sorted out. Hard to tell its a Tamiya kit with that correct gear. Funny as I almost never see people correct that on online builds here and there. I don't know why as it makes a world of difference.

Just awesome, Joe. That cowling paint job is first class, and you maybe gave me a idea or two so thanks.

Forgive my rookie question, but not getting why you transferred the hinges from a spare bulkhead to the cover. Will the cover be opened or closed?

Amazing work as usual, Joe! I'm actually about to change my mind about that Aires set and go with the 1/32 one instead. It's not that much more expensive and I'd have to buy me one of the Tamiya 190s first while I already have a big Hasegawa 190 in my stash (without the landing gear problems the Tamiya kits have). Let's see how the prices at the show are

Superb work Joe!  You really have done a fantastic job on the paint, weathering and detail. Your efforts of having taken a base model and enhanced with AM and parts from other kits have paid magnificent dividends.

Nathan T: Thanks alot dude! The longer legs keeps it looking like a beefed up dachshund on short legs and gives it the aggressive stance of a falcon. I agree with you.

Clemens: I appreciate the kind words and will be rooting for you on that 32nd scale beauty. Look forward to a 190 to put in the intro post from you bud.

Greg: There is no bulkhead on the Tamiya kit(and no separate cowl gun cover either) . The kit is designed to be built totally closed up with no options for opening any panels out of the box. The Aires cowl gun cover had no provision for hinges or detail, aaaand it didn't even look right to begin with to me. Thats why I ordered myself an Eduard D-9 was to use the cowl gun cover from that kit (don't worry I emailed Libor at Eduard and had him send me another cover to make my Eduard D-9 kit complete again!). The Eduard piece not only comes with plenty of detail and is the correct size, but it also has hinge detail. A little extra work but with me displaying that panel open , it will show and I want it as right as I can get it. Not a rookie question either. I go to unusual lengths sometimes in the name of detail.

Mr. Joe Rix: Thanks a mil for text AND vocal support man (same with Nathan T there!) .This thing has turned out to be a comglomeration of several kits / AM goodies hasn't it. Aside from the engine panels this has got to be one of the best fitting AM upgrades I have worked with so far. Lotsa planning involved though! This build was and still is, in fact, mostly research and planning.

Joe, thanks for taking the time to explain the hinge situation. I understand now.

Now I can't figure out how you will attach the opened cover, so when you are taking your wrap up pics, and happen to remember, maybe you can show me how you did it if you feel like it.

Outstanding as always Joe... Just plain beautiful...

Bravo my friend Bravo!! 

Excellent work Joe!  BTW, where the heck do you live (things are green)?  Here in God's country, it's going to be a balmy -8 tonight.

Doug, handi and Reasoned: Thanks to you all for the vote of confidence. Coming from guys like you it all means alot!

Greg: still working on the attachment procedure, but will keep you posted on that.(and of course I feel like it good buddy!)

Reasoned: I live in Corpus Christi where we never get winter! Only extended fall and early spring in the "winter months".

You know guys I almost hate to conclude this build on my D-9 but it all happened this morning. After 5 attempts on the aerial to get the right bow / sag (and by 5 attempts I mean 5 different sprue melting and installation attempts!) and installing the rest of the panels and prop rods here she sits! Today when I was trying to take pics of the bottom of the bird , the nose assy came loose at the R/H upper and lower motor mounts. I thought the whole damn nose was going to fall off at one point. Thank God that it didn't. Whew! Got her glued back into place and have to remember that this build is extremely fragile. This thing has been a complete blast to build. On down the line I want to tackle my Eduard D-9 but that's going to have to wait a while. Thank you all for the encouragement and support throughout my build.

 I proudly present  to  you all .......... my Tamiya Fw190 D-9......

Congrats Joe!  She's a work of art!

Brother Joe, she is magnificent! Love the paint job, the detailed engine, the open covers, and everything else.

Thanks handi and Greg!!! Greg I'll have that pic off to you soon on the attachment of that panel you were inquiring about buddy.

One of the finest I have ever seen, and no doubt about it!

M/TB379

That looks amazing Joe. All that detail was worth the extra work. You got some nice subtle chipping and weathering there. The open panels look exactly how they should. What a great way to finish off a gb.