GB-68 1/48 Fw-190A-8 - We all build Fw 190 (3 Viewers)

[Crimea_River]

Username: Crimea River
First name: Andy
Category: Advanced
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Eduard
Model Type: Fw190A-8 Kit #8173
Aftermarket addons: None planned

The subject of this build will be FW190A-8 White 6 of 7/JG 300 flown by Staffelkapitän "Gustl" Saffner out of Löbnitz, Germany in March 1945. This aircraft is decently documented with photos that can be found at this site and I've linked some below:

This scheme is one of several available in Eduard's notorious original FW190A-8 boxing, which I'll be using for this model.

The colour profile from the kit instructions is shown here:

Though there appears to be a hint of a W. Nr. in the hazy pic of the aircraft, none is identified that I have seen and there is no number included on the decal sheet.

I give this build a VERY low chance of being finished before the deadline as I'm having a hard enough time getting bench time with my GB 67 Mosquito, which I hope to finish. However, I might be able to squeeze some work in on this one between assembly time on the Mossie. I did make a small start on this kit several years ago when I assembled and painted some of the cockpit but hopefully you guys won't mind.

 

[Wurger]

 

[fubar57]

Right on Andy. Looking forward to this

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Go for it Andy, no point in having idle hands.

 

[Crimea_River]

Spent some time after the Flames game last night assembling the engine which is quite a piece of engineering. The exhaust stubs are glued in place using a template to locate the ends. After the third one was installed, I started to see a pattern (stubs go into the left side of the cylinder looking from the back) and realized that the second one I installed was in the wrong place, as the end extended out the back a bit too far. Unfortunately, on removing the stub with my tweezers, the thing shot out to oblivion and I've yet to find it.

I'll do a SAR mission to find it today and, if not successful, I'll scratch one up using solder.

 

[fubar57]

Sorry about the ping, Andy but these two photos will help me with my build now. Did you have locating holes in the back of the cylinders, mine don't.....I think

 

[Vic Balshaw]

That is a mean looking engine, can't imagine hoe your going to paint it assembled like this.

Good luck with the seek and search.

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks guys. Yes fubar57 there are holes on the back of the cylinders, at least on mine. The confusing part is that there are 2 holes each side of the back of the cylinder but only the ones to the left side are used. It seems that Eduard thought about bringing the intake pipes from the supercharger to the right side holes but that would have been a real nightmare. In stead, they are left short. Must have been too complex, even for them!

 

[Crimea_River]

Well the search has been called off and the rescuee has been given up for lost. I'll be modifying my workshop in the coming months and I'm sure it will turn up while I'm tearing things apart. Anyway, to replace the lost part, I turned to one of my favourite modelling materials - solder. It's easily cut, holds CA glue well, and can be shaped easily. I started by cutting a length of solder that matched the diameter of the other exhaust stubs. I then gently hammered one end flat to replicate the flare at the end of the stub.

Next the piece was bent and trial fit several times until the routing and length were correct. Once satisfied, I glued it into place with CA.

In this end view, you can see the new piece at right. The flare is slightly larger than the others but should be fine. As to painting the engine, it will be given a good shot of overall black then highlighted in a steel colour. A few details will then be hand painted. I don't plan on displaying the engine open so the only things that will be visible are the ends of the exhaust stubs (that's why I had to make one), and the fan blades up front. I may yet consider having one cowl folded open but this will mean adding detail to the inner surfaces of the cowl and I'm not sure I'll be up for that on this build. A shame to hide this beautiful engine though......

 

[SaparotRob]

I get gently hammered all the time.

 

[fubar57]

Well done, Andy. I checked my engine, no locating holes so I'll have to remove the jig and get the drill set out

 

[rochie]

Good fix Andy.

 

[Wurger]

 

[T Bolt]

Mine didn't have locating holes either so I put the end in the template and glued the front end where it fell on the engine.
Looks like you're having fun with it. Wait until you tackle the wing root cannon covers.
I'm glad I'm past all that and almost at the painting stage

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks guys. Glenn, I've been through that gun cover issue on my Eduard Dora so have my eyes open.

 

[Crimea_River]

Just painted the engine today. I didn't put a huge effort into this as 90% of it won't be seen.

Here is my temporary work bench with all the sprues shaken out. My Mosquito for the other GB is taking up my regular space.

I mentioned at the top that a bit of assembly has been done prior to the GB start. Here is the cockpit tub which has Eduard's colour PE side panels. I don't like them as the colour has a much bluer tinge that I don't think is right. This assembly will be repainted I think.

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.

 

[fubar57]

Beauty. One of the reasons I don't use Eduard colour PE. I don't have the patience, or at the moment, depth of field to do a repaint

 

[Crimea_River]

I hear ya but it came with the kit. Not sure if I'll try to paint over it or use the alternate cast piece and pick out the details. Canopy will be mostly closed so not going for the full monty.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

All good stuff but your engine looks kind of lost among all that sprue.

 

[Jock Tamson]

Looking good . Agree re the pre painted pe parts.