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

Thanks guys!

Mike: She's looking very nice indeed! I love the mottling!

I just started applying the wash to the engines and gear bays. I'm going to the cinema tonight though, so I hope it's dry before I leave. Otherwie I'll post the update tomorrow.

Wow, this is great. So much awesome modeling still going on here. Nice!!!

Clemens: Your monumental task is impressive to say the least. As is each of your 190's.  I'm going to tell you Clemens what I find so admirable about your epic endeavor. That is that, despite the magnitude of your task and the immense time investment, you are paying careful and thorough attention to detail on each and every aircraft. I know for myself I would be spending time taking shortcuts rather trying to nail the detail. You are doing a fantastic job and I am certainly a fan of your tremendous process. Also, thanks for being a good sport towards all the ribbing we've given you about taking on so many 190's at once. The bottom line is, I'm envious of your patience and fortitude. Thank You for the updates.

  P.S. Love the new camera and airbrush. That served to heighten the envy.

Mike: It is indeed good to see you with your replenished AB in your hand. And from what I'm seeing it is performing nicely in the hands of the master. Your mottling is magnifico!! Really choice work there. I regret that you are experiencing such issues with tape and putty residue. I use exclusively Silly Putty and Tamiya tape and certainly have never experienced these issues such as you. I believe, as you have observed, that it must be something to do with the paint you are using. For me, I pretty much only use enamels and that may be why I don't have as much of a residue issue. I dunno, just a random thought. Looking forward to some beautimous work from you.

Joe -- thankyou so much, your comments are more than appreciated! I'm using Tamiya tape and paints all round, other than MM paints for the 04 and 76, and blutac for the hold-offs.

Well, today I achieved all objectives. I applied some satin clear around the rear fuselage to protect the camo from any masking problems, then remasked the DOR band and put three coats of XF-8 onto it, which nicely obscured the mess left from the tape. I also did the fine touch-ups required in all three camo colours, and did a basic oil wash on the underside for oil and grime. Then I finally applied a good, solid coat of satin clear over the whole thing:

It doesn't look like much is changing at the moment, but it's been a fair amount of work. Tonight I might be able to make a start on panel washes, which would line me up for sealing them early-ish tomorrow, and making a start on decals before I go out to teach at the U in the afternoon. Depending on how the decals behave, I might have them finished by that time, which sets me up to seal them the following day and move into the final leg.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Man this thing is looking great Mike! I know what you mean about not much in the way of visible change but I think all of us here understand the amount of work that goes into painting these things and that any progress , however minimal it may appear, is monumental progress to the builder. Lookin good!

Amazing how much work we can put into a model over a course of days and there isn't much noticeable change. Fear not, we all appreciate all your careful prep and touch up work Mike, even if it's hard to see.

Looking good!  

Thanks, Mustang and Greg. I have just now finished the panel line accents and sealing coat -- pics tonight when I get back from work. I haven't started decals, but maybe tonight.!

In haste, M/TB379

Looking really good TB ,, be watching for more!

Hi guys -- I made a start on the decals this evening but have hit a snag at once -- the kit sheet seems to be no good. It's a fraction out of register, that I could live with, but the decals really don't want to separate from their backing and, if finally "encouraged," shatter.

Options -- there's an EagleCals sheet giving this subject, but not national insignia or stencil data. It would cost as much to source them all on separate sheets as the kit cost. What about a replacement sheet from Hasegawa? Does anyone know of a reliable service for Hasegawa replacement parts?

I was meaning to have this one done inside three days, but until the decal issue is solved, it's back on the shelf, and that's so frustrating. Nevertheless, here are the photos of the panel accent process, taken after the first round, there was a second to tidy things up before a clear sealant coat:

If anyone has any tips, I'm all ears. I can try Micro Liquid Decal Film to strengthen them but that won't do much to separate them from the paper. I tried two small ones and both broke up, I hate to think what the large ones will do.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Mike... is this an older decal sheet? If so there probably is no saving them... I had some national insignia decals on a Revell Pro sheet, and they were horible, they (when viewed through a mag glass)were found to be cracked from drying out I guess, and I had to get a replacement sheet from Strike Eagle and they had a nice stencil assortment, alot of times I just buy from Ebay, a place called "Run for Cover out of NY.

Something helpful maybe on the ones that dont want to seperate from backing paper, I have a cup/candle warmer that I keep a small dish of water on and turn it on to heat the water which "helps" stubborn decals release. Just a suggestion. ?. Excellent weatherning on your build! Very realistic looking!

Doug

Doug --the kit appears to be a 2004 vintage. The sheet looks fine but doesn't want to play. The headrest decal went on okay, I seem to recall, but even that might not have separated as readily as it should.

I've zapped a message off to Hobbico in the US, their website says they do Hasegawa tech support -- let's see what they can advise. I've got the EagleCals sheet on my eBay watch list... I *may* have a Superscale stencil sheet appropriate for the A-8 in this scale, which just leaves insignia. I was considering Montex masks -- has anyone used them? Are they designed to paint the crosses before or after the main scheme? If before, I'm stuffed...

I'll let you know what happens. For the moment, I'd better switch back to the Ta 152, she was ready for mottle and touch-ups when I left off.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

I hate to say, I just went thru the same deal with Hobbico,,,, they told me the new sheet had to come from Japan, nothing else could be done,,, 6 weeks later I received my decal sheet.......

Surprised to find these in the package......................

They finally got the correct ones to me but it took over three months !    I started the 1/32 Hasegawa BF109G-6 in January,,,,, I just finished it today,,,, I hope you have better luck man!

Oh, man!!! I can sure see how all those stars and bars match the packing slip stating "Messerschmitt decals." GRRRRR -- you'd think Japan's ability to pack product to the world would extend to bilingual customer service. Ah well, if that's the road I need to go then that's about all that can be done. I checked for stencil data and I don't seem to have that sheet I thought I had. I'd be looking at something like $60, including shipping, to source all the markings on separate sheets, and I just can't see my way to doing that at this point in time...

I have that 109 as well, and certainly hope it's decals behave themselves. Was the replacement sheet you eventually got okay?

M/TB379

Thin but thankfully yes better, not the potato chip like ones to begin with,, even blasting with bonder didn't help............  again like you said,,,, locked into a paint scheme, what do you do ?? Keep my fingers crossed they have a sheet closer than one of the moons of Jupiter for you !

Hey Mike, Certainly everything about your 190 looks fantastic. That is indeed a major bummer about the decals. Mike, I just received my Montex masks for my bf 109F and you indeed put them on after the camo is on. Yet, your question gave me a moment of pause. I had assumed that you put them on after but, you got me thinking about that. So, I pulled them out to check for sure and upon close examination it is actually possible to paint them either before or after. Just a matter of how you manipulate the masks. They really look great. I'll admit that I'm a bit apprehensive about using them mainly over getting them placed exactly right. It's not like a decal where you can slide it around into place. So, the Montex masks may very well be an option for you. Mine arrived in a rather timely manner. About a week as I recall. Sure hope this helps

You are having your share of troubles, Mike. Hope you get it sorted out.

Is it typical for 10 yr old decals to go bad? 10 yrs doesn't seem that long to me.

Brings back memories of getting replacement stuff as a kid. Was all via snail mail and slow, but always got what I asked for. Been wondering about the changes over the decades.

With the blue band I have to assume that this is Walter Dahl's "Blue 13". If I'm right theres a set of decals here:www.eagle-editions.com/.../eaglecals-77-32-fw-190-a-8s-detail.html

I hope I'm right : )

Thanks, Mustang -- but it's actually Hans Dortenmann's Red 1. Dahl's plane appears to have a red band. I'm not sure what to do at this point, if I can get a replacement sheet from Hasegawa that would be great -- or even, on the grapevine, a cut sheet from which the other option was built, and I can add AM stencils...

I unmasked the Ta 152 today. It'll need the mottle on the tail and some general touch-ups to complete the paintjob, then onto clear, and that gets me to approximately the same position as with the A-8. I'm soaking the #1 tip overnight and will take a crack at the fineline work tomorrow.

Cheers, M/TB379

Mike I might be able to help you out on this one. I'm sorry for the late reply but I've been really busy the last couple of days (the update I promised you guys is delayed because of the same reason).

I have exactly the same kit in my stash and I could send you the decals. I don't know if they are any better than the ones in your kit, but I think it's worth a try? I can send you both the markings as well as the stencils.

Clemens, thankyou so much, buddy! PM coming your way!

SchattenSpartan

Mike I might be able to help you out on this one. I'm sorry for the late reply but I've been really busy the last couple of days (the update I promised you guys is delayed because of the same reason).

I have exactly the same kit in my stash and I could send you the decals. I don't know if they are any better than the ones in your kit, but I think it's worth a try? I can send you both the markings as well as the stencils.

I've unmasked the Ta 152 and identified the touch-ups required. I'd have been on the job today only I came down with a migraine this morning and spent most of the afternoon heading it off... Will get to it tomorrow!

M/TB379

Toughing up the 152 today, it's a bit frustrating as I'm chasing overspray, but if I can get it mastered I'll clearcoat her asap and get to the panel lines. I'm really hoping to be onto decals tomorrow -- fingers crossed they'll play!

M/TB379

Quick update -- here's a photo of the A-8 with panel lines sealed that I missed uploading last time:

Progress on the 152, I have done spot spraying on the fine tip and needle with 76, 82 and 83 today, and am getting to the point where I can do any remaining touch-ups with a brush. There might be one spot where I need some more light green through the AB, I'll make a call on that.

All main masking is now away, the wheel wells are still protected. I can neaten up with a small brush in many places. Interestingly, the DOR bands unmasked clean, there was no residue left on the Tamiya flat red here, unlike the flat blue on the A-8. I got a bit of overspray from the dark green mottle, I'll have to make a call on whether I want to do anything about it or just crack on to the clear stage.

Next job, small brush stuff, and if I can get around that lot in decent time, I'll try for a clear coat either tonight or tomorrow -- depending on those calls.

M/TB379

Both aircraft are looking great Mike. I like this stage of the painting process where your 152 is right now. From here it distinguishes the difference between "toy lke looks" to a weathered replica. Always fun to watch to transition. The paint job on that 152 looks awesome!!!

Thanks, Mustang! It's an interesting transition, to be sure -- from the clean, fresh paintjob to the plane as used, the clearcoat tying things together, the panel wash providing the core to the preshade effect, oil wash creating streaking, bare metal chips here and there, gun carbon, exhaust stains, fuel leaks, dust on the landing gear... It becomes a process we do so many times we sometimes need to stand back and think about it more deeply, as they're all done for solid reasons.

Touch-ups are underway, I *might* put some more 76 through the AB to clean up the overspray from the 83... Otherwise she's getting close to clear time!

M/TB379

You're keeping it stunning Mike. Really nice paint work.

Thanks, Joe! I've checked what remains to be done, and the outer faces of the gear ay doors are not yet painted, so I'll be putting some more 76 through the AB tomorrow -- in that case I may as well try to tidy up the overspray along the tail splotches at the same time. I'll be aiming to have her up to decals tomorrow, final assembly the day after... I might even start the paintwork on Rudel's D-9, while I have the 76 mixed!

M/TB379

Progress today -- main  targets achieved. I did the 76 work on the gear bay doors and touched up the overspray amongst the tail mottle, then gave her a satin coat and accented the panel lines. The lines are shallow and inconsistently deep across the airframe, so in many places they are never going to hold a wash. Two applications and cleanup, then I sealed the wash with another clear. I got a little ahead of myself, forgetting to do the oil stains before starting, but that's okay, let's see how they go over the satin, whose lustre is not far above that of the MM paints to begin with.

After the business with the Hasegawa decals, I don't trust the Italeri kit sheet and will draw insignia, swastikas and data from an Aeromaster sheet. I have all three of the "Too Little, Too Late" sheets for the D-9 and I'm not going to build all twelve subjects, so I'm clear to heist some decals. All I'll need from the kit sheet is the green 1s, and possibly the trim tab warning flashes -- hopefully it'll play that far. I could even paint the trim tabs, and may do if the decals are either uncooperative and/or a bad fit.

Here she is at this moment:

I hope to start the decals tonight, complete them tomorrow, seal them and move ahead with final assembly and detail painting.

Cheers, M/TB379

Very sharp and clean paint work. Well done indeed.

Thanks, Joe. I'm just about to hit the hay down here in Aus, but I've made a start on the decals. So far a combination of Aeromaster and kit items -- the kit decals separate from their backing cleanly enough but appear to have almost no grip, so it's a toss-up at the moment if any of the stencils unique to the 152 will be there -- if they'll stay in place long enough to get zapped with a sealing coat, they'll be fine, but that's yet to be seen. Fingers crossed, I'm hoping this one will be in the display case in two or three days.

Cheers, M/TB379