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

That is a great scheme, I can't wait to watch it come to life!

OK friends... This weekend I started another Focke... This will be a Revell/Monogram Fw190-G 2/3 pro modeler kit (kept looking for the Dragon sticker on the bag) I picked this one up at an estate sale for a dollar a few years back, The box was pretty well had so I put the works in a gallon size plastic freezer bag and put it in stash until now.

Chanter got me thinking about another winter scheme and I finally settled on Ober Leutnant Herbert Bauer, 1Stab/SG2 "Red 7" The time period will be the winter of 1944/45, when the Gruppe was stationed at Furstenwalde, Hungary. I ran across a picture not of this craft but of another in the gruppe and they had a pretty wild almost Zebra looking snow camo pattern.I have no info on air/mission victories or whether Oberleutntant Bauer or his craft survived the war. This will be a ground support/ fast fighter bomber configuration. Thanks guys, Pictures to follow soon.

Doug

Way ta go Greg!!! I remember that stage of the Eduard 190 build very well.

Looks like you are off to a good start, Greg! I hear ya about photobucket changing the position of pics. Happens to me all the time...

Chanter... any time ... There are several good methods for fading and dulling a finish, but this one just works for me, Just one other thing, and not trying to overwhelm you, but again, depending on what "look" your going for, You could also substitute the grey for a few drops of lets say Testors flat dull cote and get a good faded finish. You just have to have an idea of what you want as an end result.

Alot of times depending on the paint being used just straight isopropol rubbing alcohol right out of the bottle will give great results. You just have to try different techniques for awhile to see what results you get.

Good luck and keep up the good work!  By the way, I found the picture of your bird in an older book I have, Focke-Wulf 190 Aces of the Russian Front. Very cool you found the actual craft in a picture like that.

Take care...

Doug

Clemens, you may or may not be crazy, but in any case you are in wonderful company here, mate.

Joe (Rix), Holy Cow, I had to go back to page 1 to confirm our mad friend Clemens hadn't indeed lost it. 1/72nd, I had no idea (or more likely knew and forgot). Outstanding! Even above and beyond what I said before.

Everyone, your resident rookie/newbie has gone active again. I post this just as proof of start today. I was getting lonely working on my MiG by myself, plus this being my first Eduard kit I'd best get moving or I'll not finish by summer!

I can already see this kit will be a challenge for me. It took me a while to figure out the placement of arrowed part. (no worries about it flaring out at the top, is just sitting there at the moment).

PS, odd, I clicked on the image to see how big photobucket was displaying it, when came back it was out of the order I posted it. Hmmm.

SchattenSpartan

Did somebody say my name? Oh yeah, resistance. Just don't try it, it's hopeless anyway. I tried to resist the urge to not build anymore 190s, but the more i thought about not doing so, the more I wanted to build more of them... Hey, at least I know that I'm mad! That's one step in the right direction. I'm no hopeless case yet, am I? Please tell me there is still hope for my sanity... Well, I could try to build all those 190s at my bench. That might help...

I know the feeling, i keep watching in here and seeing all the great work, fun times and begin to feel the itch grow....  Only thing that is keeping me from jumping back in is the 1/32 Me-262 sitting open in front of me.  Cockpit halfway done and loving it!!!

To all who commented on my 152C - thanks for the kind words!!!

SchattenSpartan - building all those will only make the insanity grow worse!!!!  

Ok, time to catch up (or try to do so at least)!

Nathan: She's looking fantastic! I just love everything about her! The amount of detail is stunning and the camo and weathering look great as well

Joe: I still find it hard to believe that your 190 is actually in 1/72nd scale! That camo looks superb mate! You did a great job on that Spit as well!

Matt: Very nice work on that Ta! I really like the green/gray camo scheme!

Did somebody say my name? Oh yeah, resistance. Just don't try it, it's hopeless anyway. I tried to resist the urge to not build anymore 190s, but the more i thought about not doing so, the more I wanted to build more of them... Hey, at least I know that I'm mad! That's one step in the right direction. I'm no hopeless case yet, am I? Please tell me there is still hope for my sanity... Well, I could try to build all those 190s at my bench. That might help...

Indeed you must build another Allen. Resistance is futile, (see Clemens).

Doug - thanks for going over that technique for me.  It sounds like something I'll definitely need to try on a "practice" model before trying it on a production version.   All the same, I've copied and printed the instructions and added it to my vastly growing binder of tips-n-tricks. 

Joe - That's Spitfire is superb, a real stunner.  Thanks for the feedback re: the pastels.  I was planning to try and dirty it up with some Florry washes before dull coating, to see if I can give it a not so pristine finish.  I also have a bunch of PDFs printed (forget what site I found them at) that shows how to use pastels on panel lines etc.  That's also where I got the pencil lead idea from.

Everyone - I am really enjoying my first Group Build and you guys have been fantastic in your encouragement and suggestions.  I have a couple of 109s and  P-38 I wanted to get at, but am learning so much here I may just pick up another 190 so I can stick around!

Say it again Reverend!!!!!!

True dat Joe... Fine looking Spit there...very nicely done!

Greg; True that what you say about enhancing one's skills here on the forums. I certainly have a healthy library of how to books that are very helpful and have contributed to developing my skills. But, here amongst these fabulous folks, one finds an incredible amount of different techniques that are more accurately described and demonstrated. More importantly though is the folks here teach you the techniques and then follow that up with immense amounts of encouragement and inspiration.

Thank You Gentlemen for the positive feedback. Helps me to feel that I am on the right track here.

Allen: Absolutely terrific work so far. Your exhaust via pastels looks great to me.I, for one, am a big fan of using pastels for all sorts of weathering and detailing. Given that, I had a thought, albeit a completely random thought, on maybe utilizing pastels on your panel lines to kind of give a bit of a "dirtier" appearance on the white wash. It can be a slow tedious process but, it does wield nice results. Here's a pic of my Spitfire Mk Vb that I did for a GB a couple of years ago. I completely weathered and highlighted with pastels including panel lines and panel shading.

Chanter... Yes you can use the mix as described, it shouldnt affect the other paint, but the way I do alot of mine is to use a .02 or .025 tip and needle, I also remove the nozzle at the very tip of the AB (and for goodness sake be careful with the needle) with the tip removed its exposed and is easily damaged. Then I get up close and personal (about 1/4 in. ) and trace over the insignias lighty, dry, then hit again if desired, until you get the look you want, again, please fully dry between applications so as not to fade too much. Once I get the markings the way I want, I re fit the air nozzle, crank the pressure up to about 15 to 20 psi and draw back to between 4 to 6 inches and mist coat the whole model to blend in the fading, again, repeat until you achieve the desired effect.

Now if I may, most all winter camo was a form of whitewash, appiled as best as they could sometimes even brushed on. I have seen some very cool pictures where as the winter wore on the "Wash" would begin to fade badly and the perminent paint below would start to show through, and on the national insignias the wash would actually stain down across them making some very war weary looking effects. But any way, Thats how I do mine most of the time, and hope I didnt confuse too much,,, Practice,practice,practice! Ha...

Take care... Shes really looking good!

Doug

Nathan, thanks again...Pretty much everything I'm doing is a first for me, other than just slappin' them together as fast as possible when I was a kid, so I appreciate the tips.

I did not realize that about the pic Greg, thanks for that. :)

Chanter, that's a cool pic and how neat that it's the same bird you're building.

Just an observation because you had mentioned maybe going heavier with the exhaust stains, and you may have already noticed this, but...... as a guy who likes to take and process pics, I notice the pic is exceptionally contrasty, which is making the exhaust stains look a lot blacker than they really are.

Chanter:That's a great start on that winter camo! I was going to add and Nathan already covered this , that  the pastel effect is one of the last things to go on. Sometimes the dullcoat takes away almost all of the effect that you're after when using pastels like you are. NIce job so far buddy!

Greg:I feel the same way you do pertaining to all of the knowledge I've gained 1) while in the forum and 2)certainly while I'm in a GB. You can't help but learn. It's magnetic!!!

Great pic Chanter. I've seen a ton of winter camo 190 pics but not that particular bird. You basically got it, but don't seal in the pastels with another dull coat. No need too, plus it could fade out the effect alot. Or, if you have an airbrush, spray on the exhaust stains with a brown/black mix.

Thanks for the kind words all.

Doug - Would your technique apply to this scheme as well? (Tamiya Grey / Thinner) I will be looking to take away the starkness of the decals against the white and the fuselage band. 

Nathan - I will most likely try to get the staining a little darker...at least closer to the engine.  I can go over with pastels once the dull coat is on, and then I would shoot another dull coat to protect it, correct?

I just happened across an old picture of the exact bird I'm doing(!!)  I linked to it below, as I'm not sure about copyright rules etc...regardless, it is a great shot and really shows the staining associated from winter weather.

http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Fw-190A/Fw-190A-JG51/images/Focke-Wulf-Fw-190A3-Stab-I.JG51-(~+-Russia-winter-dispersal-area-1942-43-01.jpg

Allen

Thanks Doug. That's helpful. I forgot to mention that in addition to my 'just one more pass' (that usually ends up being several more passes for reasons I cannot logically explain), I also have no patience waiting for coats or passes to dry. Thinking this is why my matte coats are too often coming out a bit white and milky looking. Never thought of grabbing the hair dryer between coats, definitely will try! Thanks, buddy!

I think it's time for me to stop thinking about slowing down and make a conscientious effort to do so! This is a mystery to me because in life I do everything slowly. But when I get an airbrush in my hand I don't. Go figure.

Yeah Greg, I know what you mean... you just have to practice self control and an immense amount of patience.  The aforementioned mix was just a starting point and oft times works well for most applications,  but depending on the scheme and desired effect you do, it can vary.  Now when I choose todo these  schemes,  I try to shoot between 5 and 10 psi being the mixture is so thin.  After a mist coat that looks like youve done nothing, dry with a hair drier if desired, and see what it looks like. Repeat as desired... (ha) Good luck and looking forward to seeing results.

Doug

Joe (Rix), masterful work on that camo, really! It remains a hoot for me to see these different schemes come together from you experienced guys. Really, really helpful. ...more on that below.

Allen, I've never seen a winter scheme before period, let alone watched one in progress. Looking great and I'm really glad you are sharing this with us. Will be great to watch this come together as you move forward!

Doug, glad you posted the hint about the ISO/grey paint mix looking different when dried. One of the major skill level things I am facing is I just can't seem to stop spaying too heavily. I don't want to, I know not to, and it's always 'one more pass', etc. It'll come with time.

And Joe, how low is low (pressure, re the above)?

Everyone, I got to pondering this morning why is that in years past I read excellent how to articles, probably in FSM, and it all looked so easy yet I was never able to make much progress. However, by participating in two GB's here so far, things ARE starting to progress. Just musing.....

John, I looked but cannot find your initial post about MN winter weather. But I can surmise what's going on and I always think northern IN (right in Great Lakes lake effect snow belt) is the winter armpit of the US. I don't think I could handle -17 yet!

So do I,  and 2 dogs.  Kinda crazy, but I'm on 5 acres so I don't really have to be out there with them

Yeah, but I have kids that wanna play in the snow piles. It is prime bench season though...

Ya and didn't even go in the ditch.  just love shoveling 9 inches of snow by hand.   Good thing is it's so cold out you might as well go to the work bench and get something done,  no one can really blame you for not wanting to go outside. i just keep the washing machine and dishwasher going and the wife is happy and I get somethings done.

John

Joe, thats some damn fine work and a complicated scheme not to mention your recovery efforts are top notch!

Allen, great look start on a winter schemed 190! Got another Dortenmann bird in the stash that has a winter scheme to round out my Dortenmann collection. Will be following along to see your weathering!!

Looks nice Chanter. Great gloss and paint work. Exhaust stains look good. You can go over them again with pastels if you wish once the model is flat coated.

John- Good ol MN weather huh? We just got out after our first major blizzard of the season.

Allen... shes looking good, I had read somewhere that most of the exhaust panels on your bird were either painted dark red or black th attempt to hide the exhausting stains. Yours looks just fine, also keeping in mind that in winter jammies and a yellow campaign band, shes in the dead of a Russian winter, so heavy black stain is orrect, being the engines were run much richer due to the extreme cold temps. During the summer the staining looks much lighter , more brown and grey shade. As you have her painted it looks very convincing.

John...-17 what!!! HOLY CRAP MAN??? Lol, makes me glad I live in Atlanta! LOL...