Fw190 GB

I am still trying to build a model and have everything come out exactly the way i intended. Almost every model i have build has two or three things that I am not really happy with. Fortunatly when you only post your work on forums like I do you can make sure you always photograph the models "good side'. I only build for my enjoyment and i have never and will never enter a model in a contest. I build to relax not to sweat out weather it is good enough to show without embarasing myself! I have absolultely no artistic ability at all. Any good results i product are strickly from years of pratice and learning what works for me and what does'nt. The main thing is I enjoy it and I love looking at my own little airforce. I also enjoy the research that goes with it especially when there is alot of info on a prticular plane like the pilot that flew it the unit it served in and the modifications and repairs it recieved in its service.

                                                                        Soulcrusher

Thanks for the info soulcrusher. I'll have to try that. I know what you mean about not liking things but having to settle with it. I ended up painting the canopy twice and the second time the edges got a little rough. I also didn't like the left side exhaut stain but I'm tired of messing with it. I also have a decal underthe wings giving me trouble.

 One problem I think I have is I'm using a color enhasement bulb for an aquarium. On the pro side it dose show life like color. On the con side becasue it brings out all the colors, any change in color becomes overstated to the camera. When viewed in person those panel lines and color layers are not that pronounced.

SC, Stan, thanks much for the info on the flaps. Makes sense, so open they shall be!

...and once again, just amazing work from both of you. You've managed to set the bar here quite high!

If the pilot followed standered operating percedures yes. the cooling gills should have been left fully open to allow heat to escape after the engine shut down and went into heat soak. Also the flaps were usually left full down or in the take off/landing postion. 190's were towed by the tails mostly so the rudder was usually seen in the neutral position.  

That prop on the late 213F powered D-11/13 and Ta 152 was huge and one of the most efficent made during the war. This gave these aircraft excellent acceleration and good rate of climb. The D-9 top speed was equal to that of the P-15D and the D-11 was faster at most altitudes.     

Thanks Mike! I whish I had noticed it before airbrushing the whole model. Now i have to be real carefull and fab one up and try to make it blend in with the tail. As far as the open colw flaps go on the ground they are often seen open on all types of aircraft. The engine would overheat very quickly if the ground crew forgot to open them while warming up the plane so some ground crews and pilots as a pratice would leave them open when parked so this mistake would not happen. if the plane was not going to see service anytime soon some crews liked to close them to prevent debris from entering the openings. Radial engine aircraft would have overheated very quickly once on the ground if the flaps were not open up. I have read many Mustang pilots made this mistake of not opening up the door on the radiator housing when taxing only to have the engine overheat before they could take off and have to scrub the mission! This is the reason alot of crews left them open on the ground as a good pratice in prevention.

                                                                              Soulcrusher

Stan that is an incredible about of work you have done in a short period of time and with great results! I like knowing the history that goes with the markings as well as all of the details about the plane. My Tamiya D-9 came with decals for the JV44 but i saw this particular set that Lifelike offered and I liked the camo and the markings so i stashed the kit decals and went with them instead. I also am having some difficulties production good digital photos recently too. Some of the colors appear darker or lighter and i am not sure why. I do not really have a good place to photograph or proper lighting. I wanted to show some close up photos to show how well the Lifelike decals settled down but the flash reflects to much at close distances and if i get to close the photos come out to dark and you can not see the detail anyway! The cockpit was painted in RLM 66 then I used some drybrushing to highlight the detail. That was followed up with a wash of lamp black artist oil based paint to tone down the drybushing and add a little shadow. I find it works good for cockpits where the wear was usally more severe and it really makes the detail pop. i am not 100% happy with the mottleing results. It originally was two toned with 83 and 81 but i thought it was a little to heavy so i went back over it with a mist coat of 76 to tone it down. It blended it all together nice but i lost most of the 81 as the mist coat really blended it a little to much but i decided to leave well enough alone. Now i just have to fabricate the mast on the tail and run the antenna and she is done!

John thanks for the compliment I really appreciate it!

                                                                            Soulcrusher

Outstanding work, guys! There is some awesome work on display here! SC, I noticed the missing mast in your earlier pics.....my bad for not mentioning it earlier, as I figured you were already aware of it.

I'm noticing on a lot of the D-series builds here that they are getting modeled with the cowling flaps open. Was this the norm, as I was going to model mine closed.

she looks great soulcrusher, you did a great job on that camo and molt. I also like the fact you didn't go nuts with the stenciling. I see very few 190's with any wing walk lines or access call out's other than fuel. What I really like is the way you bought out all the detail on the upper cockpit deck. What did you do there anyway?  that is one nice looking D-9.

The basis of this build was a 1/32 Hasegawa FW 190D-9. I used the Rutman D-11 resin conversion set. I then added a aries masters cockpit, exterior PE set, Quick boot exhaust + gun sight as well as eaglecals decals. I scratch built/ added the throttle lever, radio antenna, brake lines, cooling gill actuators, light rivit detail, flattened the tires and changed parts of the insterment panel to represent a D-11 fully fitted with bad weather gear and up graded gun sight.. Hollow brass was used for the cannons. The prop blades, spinner, gun hood, supercharger intake scoop, upper 20mm cannon buldges, lower center wing insert, lower otter wing inserts and cockpit are all resin. I had the resin fuselage for the D-11 but the fit was so poor it would be less work to use the kit fuselage and do all the modifications and rescribing to it rather then fight with resin example. So I ended up graphing on the larger supercharger, adding buldges, and rescribing some lines and ports to replicate an accurate D-11. The other resin parts fit very well and I had little or no trouble incorporating them in with the kit parts.

The aircraft modeled is a vary rare non production prototype V58 version of the Fw190D-11. Originally flown by focke-wulf for testing then used by the verbandsfurhrerdchule Gdj. This mechine has been painted over twice in is a career. Once by the Verbandsfurhrerdchule when they received it from focke-wulf and again when taken by JV44 and quickly redone in the wurgerstaffel "jet defender" colors. This is a very unusual D with a lot of history behind it. Not only is she colorful with the Jv 44 marking but the not often seen RLM 81 molted with 75/76/83 gives it a real eye catching look. The partly painted over tactical numbers, stripped bottom and slogan gives the viewer a lot to look at. According to my research red 4 did have all radio and electronic hardware installed and all antennas were in place. The only other fully fitted D serving with the jet defenders was red 3. Other odd features of this D-11 is the Very early style canopy fitted to a late prototype jumo F powered D-11. Infact all other Ta's and D's powered by the jumo F have the late blown hood. Packing 2000 HP, four 20mm cannons and upgraded weapons electronics this was the last thing a P-51 wanted to see pull in behind him.

The Wurgerstaffel of JV44 only task was to defend the me262 during take off and landing operations. They were forbid to persue allied fighters. The colorful lower surfaces were to aid flak gunners that ringed the airfield in identifying them. Red 4 operated the various airfields within the Reich until wars end. Pilot info for red 4 is sketchy. Karl-Heinz Hoffman was probably the pilot but no real proof can be found.

In some of these pics the weathering appears heavier than it really is. With all the small details and layered color shades used on this it's best viewed up close and in person. Also one of the lower wing cross did not stick well so at the time these pics were taken you can see it's been replaced but not flat coated or weathered in. When this is done I will take a good pic of the bottom as a lot of paint work and weathering have been done to it. These pics will probably be after the weekend, but I think you'll find there worth the wait.

I finally sat down and started to atach all of the little bits to finish this kit. I got everything attached and was ready to attach the very last thing the antenna wire and guess what. Somewhere in the build I lost the mast that was molded on the fuselage half on the tail! I can only assume I snapped it of when working on the bottom side of the model. not a huge problem obviously but still very annoying. Even though it is a simple piece because it is so small it will probally be a pain in the rear to make it look right and not look like it is just glued onto the top of the fin. I think my best bet will probally look for a antenna mast in the spares box and cut it down to proper length by eye. Anyway here are some pics of my 99% complete D-9!

                                                                                    Soulcrusher

Stan Awesome .

Mike(SC),  My father is a two time cancer survivor (prostate and colon).  At the beginning of June this year he slipped in the bathroom and broke his neck.  Everything OK other then having to wear a collar for the last 5 months.

I am 38.  Fairly healthy.  Except that I am a letter cariier and have been having problems with my ankles knees and hips.  Not to mention the occasional back flare up.  But I have been just grinding through it.  Good luckonwhat has been ailing you.  JOHN

SC -- Yes, the enthusiasm to create and to be busy are great means to overcome, and they put a new perspective on even the poorest day. I say build forever!

Stan --Fantastic work! I have the big D-9 and will do Red 1 one day when I have time to commit to a really major project. I have those markings in two 1:72s as well, and was thinking of doing Tamiya's miniature gem as a quick entry. We'll see, if I can get a few others off the bench in the next month or two.

Cheers,

Mike

Well i've been at it since 11 am and have gotten the paint work done, decals on and some weathering done. i have start adding small parts and finish the cockpit up and then I can get her on the landing gears and start with the fine details.

Stan, the D-11 is looking stunning.

Really looking forward to seeing the finished article.

Karl

Mike I guess anything that keeps you from building when you are full of ideas is a real bummer. You are right I learned that a positive attituted means everything. Those honey do lists can real chew up your free time!

Karl she is coming right along I see. Like I said that is the best reason to build 1/72 scale piston fighters. They often get me out of a rut and going agian in the right direction. The is no replacement for putting finished models in the display case.

Stan I m still amazed at how fast you have progressed on your build with all of those aftermarket goodies! That is going to be one sharp lookng 190 when you are done! I actually pulled my Hasegawa 1/32 190 D-9 out of the stash to have a look at it because of your fine work.

Mike (T-Bolt) I do not put myself in the same class as the unfortunate ones who suffer from cancer. I can't imaging what those who do suffer from it are going through. That same thing is what keeps me going because I always think I could be worse. I know I will have some bad days here and there but I also have alot of good days and that is what keeps me going. My Uncle is dying right now from Lou Gehrig's disease so it really puts things in perspective for me. I ain't going any where any time soon because I still have a whole stash to build!

                                                                            Soulcrusher

KJ200 that cockpit looks excellent, I've seen some 1/48 cockpits not nearly as good.

I have some more pics for you all. With another weekend of work with thing might be done. That's means I may be able o get it to the dayton show.

In the first 2 pics all the major bumps and resin bits are on. everything is sanded and blended together. Also all the scratchbuilt mods are done to make it an accurate D-11.

These 2 pics the start of the camo and molt are applied. now you start to get an idea of what she's going to look like. this is when it come to life. With the AM decals, resin cockpit, exhaust, and conversion set, along  interior/exterior PE, and scratchbuilt goodies makes this the most expensive single engine prop built my mine to date. It's also one of the most instensive builds in terms of construction, accuracy, and detail. unlke many of my other builds I am makin this as accurate as possible, this maybe the only 1/32 D-11 I do. 

SC -- I understand where you're coming from... My dad was a cancer patient and I was one of his carers in an illness that never really left him. Now the most special lady in my life has been there twice and just had another scare (she's fine). She here's wishing you all the best and good healh to come.

Mike

PS: I'm really dying to join this GB... Could I jump aboard with the Airfix kit I was going to build for the Farewell Airfix GB but never got around to finishing? It's structurally along, but let's face it, that only amounts to about a dozen bits...

SC, I know exactly what you mean about 1/72 kits, especially fighters, you can make a lot of progress rapidly.

I test fitted the fuselage to the wings last night..........great big gap between the two!

Still nothing a couple of spreaders can't fix.

Wing to fuse' fit is not pretty good.

I'll post some more pics once the batteries on the camera are charged.

Karl

SC- Well you're definitely making up for any shortfalls on the quantity side with the quality of your stuff.  I'm pretty sure you're still out producing me too.  I fell into a bit of a rut and have been out of town on business the past couple of weeks which equals zero production lately.  SWMBO has a honeydew list from h*ll when I get back too, we're hosting Thanksgiving this year so home improvement is the order of the day.

Anyway, sorry to hear about your condition, sounds like you like you have a positive outlook on things though which always helps.  Hang in there!

Mike 

Thanks Guy. I whish I had some of your Elves to do my laundry and cleaning. It would leave me alot more time for modeling! If I felt better more often i might be able to keep up with you and some of the fantastic builds you turn out. Seriously I am alright most of the time I'm just not on the top of my game some days and it slows down some of my builds. I see so much excellent work here by you and many others and i just do'nt have the energy some days even though I have the want, very frustrating.

                                                                          Soulcrusher

Oh geez man, I feel for you, seriously. I know what its like when incapacity holds you back from doing something. It sucks. Looks like your fighting it well with your modelling. Theres some serious quality happening in your workshop. You havent stolen some of my Elves have you?

My prayers are with you fella, as im sure all of us here are too.

...Guy

Karl good to see you making some progress on the 190. I like to build a 1/72 bird now and then because of the much simple construction and shorter build time. I recently did Hasegawa's 1/72 190 in Joseph Prillers D-Day marings and I enjoyed every aspect of the build.

Guy For me I am coming up on 43 but I have been fighting a cronic condition for the last two years that has really taken a toll on me. In my youth I was a real fireball and I do not even remember sleeping. So for me the last two years of my life have been very hard to deal with. I don't mention it much because I am better off than many who have cancer and other horrible conditions but it has severly restricted my lifestyle and I am not able to do many of the things I use to It is very frustrating. it has made me feel alot older than I really am I guess and i was just venting my frustations to my pals because I knew my fellow modellers would understand.

                                                                                     Soulcrusher

SC, that is a great looking build.

Hope you feel better soon.

I've made some progress on my little 1/72 190, with the pit assembled, and the fuselage now together.

I added Eduard PE belts, and gave everything a dry brush with Tamiya Sky Grey, followed by a wash of black watercolour.

Karl

Im going to live forever SC, so that might be a bit difficult. How old is old then big boy? If you dont mind me asking.

...Guy