Well I hope it will impress - the paint scheme is a bit daunting as there will be few ways to hide any poor technique or improper finishing (ie, on the D-9 with the Gloss coat on, if you look close you can see scratches from 800grit sandpaper in places
- the Matte coat should fix most of that tho). Thus "Orange" is going to need to be primed and wet-sanded to a much higher standard; its going to fun, once I get over the hurdle of the wings.
So, the wings... Well, I got rid of the locator pins (they were only throwing things off) and will need to prepare the joints with a file; both to make sure of a flat mating surface and to remove some flash in the join at the rear of the flaps. I'm thinking of getting some brass rod for inside the wings (to stop things warping) and when I do finally glue things up, Im thinking of clamping things to a 'dihedral' jig, to make sure things stay as straight as possible - there are another TEN DML/Dragon/Italeria Ta 152's here, plus an RV Resin Fw 190C-0 (V20), so if I build the jig properly, it wont go to waste (do I really need TEN Ta 152's? I dont know, but for some reason, I want some more! Do I really need Eighteen Fw 190D's also? I think I have a problem...). Yes, it means more work this time, but it'll pay off if it does the job!
Upper Surfaces I am thinking of bonding to the fuselage if I can make sure I can keep everything true - I REALLY hate working those wing root joins and bonding to the fuselage first, as per the HobbyBoss Ta 152C-1, made life SOOO much easier. First order of business is to establish correct alignment, then tape everything in place and make sure it still lines up with the lower wing (what a nightmare that would be if it didnt!!!); when that passes the plan is to add some alignment tabs to the inside of the wing and root and let that dry. Only then will we bond the wings.
In the mean time, the lower wings will be structured with some Brass Rod (on my list of things to do, today (Wednesday) or tomorrow), which I will try and get as far out along the wing as possible, even if this means shaving with a file. The rod will be set inside a guide of thin pastic strips (so I can make sure the rods are in exactly the same places on both sides), before being super glued in place. That, plus the curing dihedral jig should give us a ROCK SOLID final product - see, University and Engineering and etc, come in handy for something! hahaha...
As for Superdetailing
plheure2, just wait and see what I come up with once I have built some confidence again!
i) Ta 152E-1 with all the engine covers off (Dragon Ta 152C-1 + Aires Engine + Quickboost Exhausts and Flaps and a LOT of home made Etched Metal and Plastic Parts!)
ii) Fw 190D-9 601088 "Black 1+~", with engine covers off, gun covers off, etc, as it was being rebuilt in 1945 (Probably the Tamiya kit + EagleCals + Verlinden + Aires Guns and again, a LOT of Home Made)
iii) Fw 190A-8/R11 "White 9" - I have a thing for night fighters too, so am going to scratchbuild all the night fighter mods and might open some bays up
iv) Me 262B-1a/U1 "Red 10" - Recently picked up a VERY cheap Dragon Me 262B-1a/U1 with the Verlinden update included (to fix the engine intakes) - thinking about REALLY going to town on that!
v) Fw 190D-14 or D-15 - using the DB603 cowl from the Ta 152E-1 project, scabbed onto a Dragon D-9 to represent one of the D-14/-15 that were modifed, but never delievered
And I havent even gotten to the Eduard Fw 190D's yet
So many ideas! In fact, there is probably 5 years of modelling sitting here next to me (excluding the 1:72 Ta 183
'What if' hardened shelter diorama plan, which is probably 6 months right there)... No, must focus on a maximum of 2 projects at a time!
D