Focke-Wulf Fw190 A-3 (First timer in a long time)

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

By no means am I an expert at modeling. This will be the first model I have made since I was about 14 (Last one I remember was a P-61 black widow from WalMart…I guess back when they actually SOLD models).

I have in mind NOT to follow the decal set in the box, although I do want to follow the paint scheme of the 190 in general. This is by far my favorite looking airplane…and I am a true believer that if a cessna was painted the same color scheme as the German ww2 airplanes it would look just as mean and awesome. I plan on giving it decals of my lucky number 7 in unit markings that are fictional. I’m not sure if I’m going to have to be PC with the swazi due to some of my wife’s friends…but we’ll see.

I got the kit from my brother as a gift. I have a basic knowledge of the airbrushes I own and am excited to share the process…err…struggle.

I hear Tamiya makes good stuff. Having being the first one I have ever made…I can see why.

The first thing I did was work on the window masking on the bubble top (It comes with 2 canopy options) and tried my luck on painting it. I remember NEVER doing that as a kid…and this was a test of my coming of age into the hobby again. That was an epic failure. I hazed the plastic from trying so much…cracked and stressed it. I tried again on the flatter canopy and am happy with it.

Having to buy all the materials to make the kit I didn’t get the authentic seat color of the cockpit. I used tan and plan on washing it to a darker color later.

The dials and gauges are all brush painted. I’m almost surprised at how well dry brushing does here.

I primed the fw190 and seeing how the kit called for colors they had only in spray cans according to the color chart on the directions…I grabbed the closest colors to it for my airbrush. I guess I chose wrong. I don’t think there is enough contrast. Anybody know what Tamiya colors to use for this …that don’t come from a spray can like the directions call for?

The blotch on the right wing was my attempt to fix a drip. Another epic failure. I plan on adding the dark contrast on top of the fuselage as soon as I find an adequate color.

I also need to find a light blue to match the lower section due to me actually buying the spray can the directions called for. If you look toward the tail…you can see how I have undesired grey there from overspray. I also learned (the hard way) painting wing / fuselage separate is a bad idea for color consistancy. I will have to spray over that as soon as I get the matching color.

My problems are almost the same as when I was younger…Hastily gathering material and sometimes not thinking through before painting. Yet…it still makes me excited. I forgot how much I loved it so much.

Crits, color recomendations, and suggestions welcomed with open arms.

2

Mate,

For the first model in a while, you’ve done pretty well so far. It’s hard to give much criticism on the airframe, as the pics don’t show as clearly as they could (lighting issues…), but the 'pit looks pretty good.
I’d think about a thinned, dark wash, then another drybrush of a lighter color - that’ll make the details jump out a little better,
For masking canopies, I always use Bare Metal Foil - I get a perfect result EVERY time…but other guys here swear by Tamiya tape - and I gotta admit, it’s magic stuff - get some - you won’t be disappointed.
Overall, you’ve got the basics down very well…but there’s one thing you MUST learn…and I’ve been modeling for almost 40 years and I still have problems with it…and that’s patience.
Have Patience…think things through, go slow, always be thinking “if I do THIS, then THAT might happen…”…always try to think ahead and you’ll get bit on the butt less often.
Keep up the good work, my man.

3

It looks to me like you are really pushing yourself with this one! That can be a very good thing, and also frustrating. If I may offer a few suggestions…

  1. The seat- A wash as you mentioned would help tone down the color. Try using a dark, reddish brown.

  2. Canopy looks good! They are quite fragile, as you have found out.

  3. Cockpit looks very good, just add some masking tape seatbelts and some painted buckles and you are set!

  4. Tamiya colors…

I would stay away from the spray cans, unless you are comfortable decanting the paint from the can and sumping it into your airbrush. This works! Otherwise, here’s what I would suggest for Tamiya paints.

Here’s a chart showing (clockwise from upper left) the 74, 75, and 76.

RLM 74, 75, 76

You can find lots of useful info at IPMS Stockholm. Here’s a couple of color charts I use frequently:

Urban’s Color Charts part 1

Urban’s Color Charts part 2

Bottom color is RLM 76, which can be made by mixing XF-23 (light blue) and XF-2 (white) together in approximately a 50/50 ratio. The contrast between the top colors looks pretty close. The colors on the actual aircraft are RLM 75 and RLM 74.

For the RLM 74, I use XF-63 (german grey) with a few drops of XF-54 to warm it up a tad.

For the RLM 75, try mixing XF-51 (khaki drab) and XF-54 (dark sea grey).

These are Tamiya paints, and some experimentation will really help. These should get you on the right track though.

Hope that helps! [tup]

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[#ditto]to everything that has been said already. Just remember its not a speed thing If you have to use cans for spraying make masks to gobetween the colors.

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Yep! SHe’s looking great so far! I’d have to agree that there is something about the German mottle that just makes an airplane look meaner! I’ve seen someone actually paint a GeeBee in German mottle once (A “what if” kinda thing) and it actually looked pretty intimidating!

On the decalling, I’m curious. What is the significance of #7 for you? It’s a cool idea. Just wondering…

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Great advice from all. The washing canopy makes alot of sense (now that I’m done with that part…)

Thanks for the color help Daywalker…I think that is an awesome site for color charts…Almost seems Humbrol is the way to go instead of Tamiya just based on thier color selection. The washing canopy makes alot of sense (now that I’m done with that part…)

I did something last night I may regret…I remasked the light camo with liquid mask. Hope that wasnt a bad idea. I’ve seen people use playdoh and paper tack…I just wanted to try this because it seemed easier and would cover well. I’ll find out as soon as my son goes for a nap.

DesertRat…I was born on the 7th and just think it’s one of those “strong” intimidating numbers. The decision to make a custom fictional unit is because I looked through these forums and EVERY unit marking (That came with it) on this model has been done at least 3 times over. I want something different.

…Got a pic of that BeeGee? I’m curious.

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I agree with ya there! I think maybe because the number 7 on a few occasions during the biblical account of the Apocalypse. But I was curious because the number 7 has a connection for me too! Used to play JV baseball in school-7 was my number[:I]But I can sure appreciate the need for something different! I’ll be looking forward to the progress[8D]

And sadly no, I don’t have a picture of that GeeBee. I was on a business trip to San Diego a few years back and stopped into a LHS- it was on display there. I don’t even remember the name of the place, but it was one of those stops that made me look into getting back into modelling

8

I hope the liquid mask works for you. The one time I tried it on a flat paint, it wouldn’t peel off. The mask company couldn’t recomend a way to get it off, either. I ended up pitching the kit.

9

You’d better use the Swastika on the tail. No self-respecting luftwaffe modeler would leave them off!! It’s supposed to be a model not a toy. By the way, never let paint become a disaster. It’s too easy to paint it over. I’d stay away from those rattle cans though. Also I prefer the ModelMaster brand of enamels. The RLM colors are pretty easy to find in that line.

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Well…I got it off but it peeled some paint off in the process. :frowning:

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[#ditto] to the excellent advise given by everyone so far! One thing that I would add is to never build because you feel obligated to because that’s when I make stupid mistakes. If I’m not motivated on a particular day I just stay away from the kie.

You’ve really done an excellent job on the cockpit!

Thanks for sharing.

Tom

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Canopy looks good! Nice that you get two to practice on heh?

Tamiya does not really make an WW2 luftwaffe colors that come in Jars (real weird heh?).

They have something called RLM grey, which I think is supposed to be RLM02. If you are looking for exterior paints though, forget it. It is a real shame too because Tamiya Acrylics airbrush so well. I stocked up on all the German WWII Luftwaffe colors from Guzen aqueous paints before they stopped producing them. They are basically the safe formula as tamiya acrylics, just with a semi gloss finish. They work great thinned with a solution of 91% alcohol and a bit a Tamiya flat base.

My favorite acrylic paints however are Polly Scale. They have an extensive range of colors from all countries and are excellent for brush painting. There is a bit of a learning curve when using them in an airbrush, but with practice and alot of advise from online formums like this one, you should not have much trouble. They dry fast and the finish is tough as nails (unlike Tamiya acrylics, which are very delicae when dry).

Anyway, I think you are doing great for your first kit after ‘comming back’ to the hobby. My first 109 I built endede up with a paint scheme of what amounted to RLM02 grey and black green (which was supposed to be RLM74/75). Oh well, you live an learn.

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I really REALLY like this advice. I too am just starting out. I have two current builds I am working on…well, now one. You see, I was working on a Tamiya P-51D. But I guess I am the only idiot on the face of this planet to single handedly ruing a perfectly good model that supposedly is an easy assemble. I don’t know why, but the front where the wing seam is I had a huge lip on either side. I took to sanding and scraping and with the sea still there all rivit detail was gone. I got so frustrated, it looks so ugly, that I just tossed everything back into the box and tucked it away. Someone once said here if your getting frustrated take a break and do something else. THANKFULLY I am applying the above advice to the other build I am on, an Academy PBY-5. I am taking my time, I am going slow, being gentle, and most importantly I am trying a method Geral Voight here is always commenting on, which is to use stretched sprue and liquid weld to fill gaps and seams. I so far have managed to use only a bare amount of Mr. Surfacer, and I think the seams look AWESOME once sanded and polished up using the stretched sprue. Thinking things through has gotten me so much farther, and a gentle hand is producing a spectacular model.

Brian

P.S. I like what you have done so far. Keep up the good work!

14

…You mean to tell me that’s your first build? I have no business here…that plane is gorgeous.

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No, that is not my first build. That is the most recent 109G I have completed. I don’t have any pictures handy of my first 109, but when I get back home, i’ll take some and post 'em for ya.

16

After fighting with my airbrush…I realize now I seriously need a pressure adjuster or something. I ended up brush painting the light blue on the bottom. Not as pro as I wanted…but I’m learning as I go.

17

You’re definately making nice progress. As several have said so far, the best tool in your tool box will always be patience. Give an extra hour or so for the paint to cure, take the time to paint the small pieces, etc. And my nemesis is trying to “just complete the darn thing”.

Definately get a pressure control on your compressor. It will make airbrushing fun, as it’s supposed to be.

18

Well…It’s been a while and alot of lessons learned. The model has gotten to the point where it’s not even worth showing to the public.

-I definately need a regulator for my air compressor. It’s just spitting out too much air for what I want to do. I gave up on airbrushing it and just hand painted it.

-I messed up the original decal set I wanted to use (because I started decalling 1 hour after applying the Future) I had to scrape off the old decals and use markings on the plane TOTALLY fictional.

-When trying to use the Citadel wash (Thankfully on the bottom of the plane) I waited too long on one side of the wing…creating a mess and almost destroying one of the decals when i tried washing it off with a towel. I’m going to leave it as it is because…

-I applied dullcote to the bottom by brush. BIG no go. It makes the paint look like trash. I’m definately going to invest in a can of the Tamiya clear flat coat.

I’m kinda bummed I ruined such a nice kit…but the stuff I’m learning from my mistakes are invaluable. I’ll never do half the stuff I did again.

…The canopy isn’t glued on yet. Any recomendations for a good idiot proof flat spray coat from a rattle-can?

19

Sounds like you have been quite busy! From your list of difficulties, I would say the model is not looking too bad at all. Like you said, experiences like that are invaluable. The next one will be that much easier!

As for your question about clearcoats, Ican’t really recommend any as I have never personally used any of those available. Hopefully, someone else with more experience with them can make a suggestion. [tup]