Axis Aces Sep 2006 - Jun 2007

Outstanding job Darren!  Thanks for info on Heinz Bar and for explaining what you did to back date the A-8 to the A-7, that will help many of use with future projects.  

Nicely done!  I'll add a link to your finished build on the first page.   

Ok you can now count as officially completed my (first) build for this GB.

Here is Heinz "Pritzl" Bär's Fw 190A-7 which started out life as the Tamiya A-8 kit.  The modifications needed to backdate an A-8 to A-7 spec are as easy as you can get, all that was required was

• With the introduction of the A-8 the ETC carrier was moved 8 inches forward, so I moved the rack mounting points about 2mm behind the indicated positions and shortened the rear section of the rack by the same amount.
• The outline of the large MW50 access hatch was filled and sanded smooth on the bottom of the fuselage was filled and sanded smooth. This hatch provided access to the MW50 gear and was not present on the A-7.
• Another panel was removed from the starboard fuselage side, the fuel filler hatch was relocated, and a further hatch filled and smoothed on the port side of the fuselage.   All the hatches were filled with Mr Surfacer 500 which really did the job nicely.
• I filled and sanded the outer wing gun ports as my references stated that Heinz Bar preferred the extra maneuverability at the expense of extra hitting power.  I also filled and sanded the shell ejector ports for the outer wing guns as these would not have been present with no outer guns fitted.
• The Pitot tube was relocated from its position on the wing tip to mid-wing.

As for the man himself, Heinz Bär is the 8th ranking air Ace of all time. He fought on every German front throughout the entire duration of World War II in Europe and Africa. His 16 aerial victories acquired while he flew the Me 262A place him as the 2nd ranking jet ace of WWII.  Almost all of Heinz Bär's assigned combat aircraft were numbered "Lucky 13", as his own preference regardless of his position within a respective unit.  Postwar, Heinz Bär would eventually become an aviation consultant. In 1957, while performing aerobatics in a light plane on the anniversary date of his 200th aerial victory, Heinz Bär was killed instantly when he suddenly spun in from a low altitude.

This is a shot of Bär after his 200th victory wearing his favorite U.S. flying jacket.

Here are a couple of shots of the finished model, unfortunately I really made a hash of the lighting and the kit looks quite glossy in some of the shots, which it doesn't in real life.

Good pickup on that one Scott, I just went back and re-checked your photos and you are right.

As an other alternative, could you post shade the canopy to get the same effect?

Thanks guys. 

You know, I was so thrilled with how great the camo looked that I didn't notice how stark the contrast was with the canopy framing until I was looking over the pics I posted.  I neglected to pre-shade the canopy, and it shows! 

I'm going to take some Q-tips and windex, carefully strip the white paint from the framing, spray them with some RLM75, then do the same treatment with the white as I did on the rest of the kit.  There is also one spot I need to touch up with the white, on the inner side of the wheel bulge on the upperside of the left wing. 

Shouldn't be too difficult to correct.... in theory 

Nice one Scotty I think you've really nailed the white wash .  It really does look like a white washed rather than an aircraft painted white if you know what I mean. 

Great "in progress" shots by the way, it's been a lot of fun following your build.

JB the 109 is looking cool (so is the 109B in the background) and nice recovery on the decal eating carpet monster.

Cheers 

Here are three photos right after I sprayed the whitewash.  I used about a 50/50 ratio of Tamiya XF-2 Flat white and 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol.  Overall I'm very pleased with the results as I think I captured the spirit of what I was trying to accomplish. 

Scott-good recovery on the canopy.

Jay-your 109 is looking very nice.

Here is the canopy after the adjustments were made and it was re-attached. 

Here are two shots of the shoulder belts after I shortened them using the adjusting straps i.e. sprue snippers and some super glue.   I also did a little touch up with the RLM66 to fix some of my glue issues. 

I have removed the canopy, which wasn't too difficult.  The glue (white canopy glue) peeled right up just using my thumbnail and a pair of fine tweazers. 

I took advantage of this opportunity to remove the shoulder belts and shorten them (which I should have done in the first place , I have GOT to start listening to the voices in my head ).  I did a little trimming and sanding of the canopy to get a better fit.  I'll also follow your advice Drew and do a little touch up with the RLM66 after I reattach the belts.  Thanks my friend. 

I have put way too much effort into this project to let those two issues ruin it for me, so I just HAD to fix them. 

Coming along nicely Jay!

I'm a bit stalled on my G-14 while I try to figure out how to deal with a small gap along the right side of the main cockpit which I apparently happened after I glued the canopy on.  I held it in place for quite some time, then set it down to go to bed.  The next morning this is what I found.    I'm half tempted to rip the canopy off, trim and sand the glue off, and fix whatever shape issues need to be fixed to get that thing to sit right. 

So finally the decals.  I still have the do the stenciling, maybe tomorrow?  I almost lost the starboard rudder swastika.  I was holding the tweezers too tight and they slipped out of my hand and the decal and its backing went flying!  luckily it stuck to the wet paper backing and didin't fall off though it took me 10 mins to find the darn thing.  I thought that only happens with smal bits.  I guess the carpet monster is looking to expand its diet!

Officially it ends at the end of June, however if people are still building and actively involved in the build then it will continue until it's done.   

I had hoped to have two projects done for this build, but will only have time for one.  At least my G-14 will be done within a week. 

Thanks very much on the kind words on the Fw190 guys it's much appreciated.

Scott the 109 is looking really cool, the internal details you've added really make a difference.  I can't wait to see it with the white wash on.

Cheers

Here are a couple of shots right before I masked and attached the canopy.  The shoulder belts and gunsight have been installed. 

jboutin wrote:

Getting closer! I got the future on my Hartman Bf-109g, decals going on soon!  I'll post some pics once I get some of the decals on.

Looking forward to your pics Jay! 

Funny Bob... , it's actually a distinct possibility.  I almost forgot about them when I was coming up with my strategy for the white wash.  Then as I was typing up my post I remembered them. 

The shoulder belts are really long so I'm trying to figure out how to position them.  For practical reasons I'm going to install the canopy closed, so draping them over the cockpit side is out.  I'll have to look at some photos and figure out a way to drape them realistically over and down the seat. 

Wrapping up a few details on the G-14. 

I was debating on whether or not to do the whitewash with the canopy detached or attached.  In the mean time, I've attached the armor plating that goes behind the pilot, to include two pieces of bullet proof glass.  I also attached the bullet proof glass that goes on the front of the canopy, and drilled the hole on the back end for the radio mast.  

Oh, and painted the gunsight, almost forgot about that.   I'll need to attach the little "glass" piece to it tomorrow.  Oh man, and I need to remember to put the shoulder belts in before I attach the canopy. 

Schwarze 1 wrote:

Hey,  Mind if I jump in? I'll do a converted 1/32 Fw190 A8/R2 flown by Wilhelm Moritz

aboard!  I'll add you to the roster.  Are you doing the Hasegawa kit? 

Hey,

 Mind if I jump in? I'll do a converted 1/32 Fw190 A8/R2 flown by Wilhelm Moritz