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

Looks fantastic Joe!  So what is the next one gonna be? 

John

Thank you Greg. I'm really looking forward to your build you were talking about a few posts ago.

Amazing work, Joe.

I was thinking that exact same thing at this point Nathan. Thanks for the encouragment. bud.

I see what you mean Joe. Doesn't look too bad. Will the gun cover almost hide it? I suppose not if you open it all the way like its supposed to go...Stick some thin sprue strip in there, and paint it 02.

Thanks handi!! Got some work to do but it shouldn't be too awful long before its completed!!

Thank you as well Eric!! Man I've got to say that I'm simply beside myself on that gap! I really don't know what happened after as many dry fits as I did. I even test fit it prior to gluing. After I had the glue down I had 5 minutes until it set up and I had to work with what I had or risk destroying all the work to the nose module in attempting to fit it right. Right now I'm having to work with what I've got so it's going to be ok. I'll make it work and look presentable for a show as that is the aim of this build. Now to find a show in the Houston or San Antonio area starting next month ............................................

P.S. The Alamo model show is this weekend in S.A. but I'll be unable to make that one. Dang it!!

She is looking amazing Joe!

Bring it on home Joe!!    Fantastic !

Joe Rix:Thanks Joe! Yeah she is a mix of parts aint she. Almost a regular chitty chitty bang bang here. lol

Nathan T:I appreciate the enthusiastic reply Nathan! I dunno yet on the weathering/ streaking . I know I need to, but what's drawing alot of my attention is that  gap at the firewall right below the windscreen. You know I test fit this whole thing together (and I'm not kidding here either) about 20 times just to make sure that this would not happen. I mean I'm going to take care of it and all but that's pretty frustrating to me after all the planning and fitting that I did to avoid something like that. That thing fit as perfect as perfect gets on all he test fits. Overall I'm happy with it though.

Awesome! She looks really mean with all her guts exposed Joe! You gonna weather this bird anymore with washes or streaking along the fuselage?

OH Man Joe! That is looking fantastic. Your skill at being able retrofit a lot of parts from varying sources is exemplary.

Here's where she's at now guys! Have a couple of gaps to fill, some touch up and the rest of the engine panels in the open position to install, and a change in shades of paint here and there but she's close!!

And Greg is still amazed by the resilience of you guys. Nothing seems to phase you.  Something to aspire towards.

I better get off my slump and do something before y'all fire me (or I run out of time to complete this thing on time!) I did paint some brass gun barrels the other day, felt good to be down there.

Morning Joe... Yes sir, I love the "Frankenstien" builds, but thats the mark of a good modeler. I think it was Greg (and I truley mean it when I say that Greg was a great addition to our "little family" here) that said, that he was amazed how blips in a build dont phase us , we just adapt, over come and move forward. (sorry, I had to paraphrase from my old Marine days being I couldnt remember the exact quote)when problems arise. None the less, Thats why we all keep "spare parts "boxes. Plenty of time Joe... No need to rush... BUT ... cmon on darn it! Anxious to see the end results!!!LOL...

Doug

PS, Didnt mean to single out Greg, but we had a few "Newbies" that joined us in this build and all have been a welcome addition! I remember my first GB (Me109) how I was welcomed and accepted into the group, At first I was a bit apprehensive about building with these seasoned old vets, but soon overcome that with their encouragement and support.

Looking forward to the pics Joe and thank YOU for YOUR encouragement along the way.

Gentlemen, Thank you all very much for the kind and positive feedback. Rest assured that there is a bit of each of you in my 190 as it was your encouragement and amazing tips that brought her through to completion. I'll post some additional pics when I get my meager base completed.

Clemens:I think you'll be happy with the EZ line. I was introduced to that stuff several years back (2006) and it works out really well.

Everybody:I had some problems with the look of my resin cowl gun cover. It looked too thick and a little on the deformed side. So my replacement panel made it in yesterday in the form of an Eduard Fw190 D9 kit that I ordered last Thursday. I'll hit Libor up for a replacment panel so that this new beauty of a kit that I recieved doesn't go to waste. I have used ALOT  of Eduard A8 parts for this build to include all of the main landing gear, alot of the cockpit parts, the sliding Galland hood canopy and now this gun cover in addition to all the Aires stuff. What a mix! Well it should be finished up in a week or so. Trying not to rush this close to the end.

Thanks a lot for the info, guys! I just placed an order for some fine black line.

FWIW I have used thin black EZ line twice now, so I am the world's foremost expert.

I agree, fine seems right for 1/48 and I think it would be fine (no pun intended) for 1/32 too.

I read somewhere the reason for the green is model railroaders use it to run power lines. For some reason, the green seems to stand out a bit more on the layout, whereas the other colors seem to blend in and become invisible. Not sure where I read this, might have been on the EZ line website.

I ordered EZ-line for antenna wires, I've used it on 1/72 and 1/48, I'm not sure about how appropriate it would be for the larger scale... My supplier only had rust-red in stock, so when I rig a plane, one of the very last jobs is to paint the wire black using acrylic.

M/TB379

Joe - what a beaut!! Fine work on that camo scheme. Well done indeed sir.

Why green I wonder? The fine size should be right for those scales. Its what I use for antenna wires. To represent rigging for WWI aeroplanes I'd get the larger size.

You can choose between several colors afaik. I want to arder a roll of it at HLJ (together with some other stuff) and they sell it in black, green and rust color. I suppose the black one is the best color in this case. HLJ doesn't sell the white and charcoal colored rolls. Is the "fine version the right one or is it too thin for my needs (1/48 and 1/32 aircraft)

I think it only comes smoke colored? A dark brown/black.

Hey guys, my new FSM issue arrived today and that EZ-line is mentioned in there as well. I'm going to order me some, but I'm not sure what caolor is best for those antenna wires. Black?

Wow, Joe. Just wow... Your 190 looks very impressive. I can't believe she's 1/72. What a great addition to this GB!

Hey there Joe! Got your beauty posted on the front page! Man it really looks good there too! You are right about the EZ line. That stuff IS da bomb!!! I want to again thank you for being and continue to be a part of this GB Joe. Your presence here has not only helped but also to lighten things up at times as this hobby does have its frustrating moments. It's folks like you that lighten things up some and allow us to enjoy the hobby amidst its frustrations.

Joe,

Great looking Bird.  Love the camo, glad to see that you were able to stick with it and pull it off.  Hard to believe that it is really 1/72 scale.  Great job and awesome details.

Oh and the closing remarks are classic!  Thanks for sharing your work with all of us twisted gents here.

matt

Thats a sweet little Butcher Bird Joe. Excellent work on the antenna line. I like your subtle weathering on the wing tops, looks real nice. I know the real bird was actually pretty clean in real life too. I'm glad you stuck with it.

Mustang Joe, the master of the front end (and everything else) is moving right along. Looking terrific! You guys are scaring me, thinking of these fit issues I've  never dealt with coming up.

No worries, you're all here to guide me.

JR, Wow. I say, Wow. If I didn't watch this being built and someone told me it was 1/72 I'd say "No way". I know from watching this masterpiece being built there is more to it than the camo job and finish, but man, did you nail it.