Focke-Wulf Fw190D-9 Dora--JV 44--anyone build? Any ideas?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
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Hello!–I’m planning on building the Fw190D Dora of the JV44 Squadron–the one assigned to protect Adolf Galland’s Me 262’s from air attack as they took off. It’s my first airplane in years. I have the Tamiya 1/48 kit, as well as an Aries cockpit detail set, and Eagle Editions update (for the prop, cowling, spinner, wheels, and the cowling with gun bulges. Also have a replacement wheel well from Eagle Editions. Anyone have any other ideas on other things I can do to improve the basic kit? Any photographs of other builds? I was planning on building the “Red One” Focke-Wulf of the squadron. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

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Its GREAT kit… goes together like any good Tamiya kit…

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Uproar,

Experten Decals did two books and decal sheets on the JV44 birds, both of which are extremely informative. I’m working on Red 4 myself (DML/Italeri/Pro Modeler kit) which was the only D-11 of the four aircraft. Sounds like you’re good to go with the Eagle updates. I wasn’t too impressed with the Tamiya Dora, had several inaccuracies around the nose that just didn’t look right. I may have to try it with the Eagle updates.

The other two birds are Red 3 and Red 13. I’ve got a giant 1/18th scale Red 3 sitting right here that I may attempt a forced perspective dio with… just for fun.

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Thanks for the replies! I found the following very nice link, which addresses the Tamiya kit’s inaccuracies, and inspired my decisions about detail sets. Also, the Osprey book on Luftwaffe Modelling has a great chapter on the JV44 Doras.

http://www.kitparade.com/features01/fw190d9ir_3.htm

I’m thinking that the wheel well set may help correct the landing gear length problem.

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Uproar,

Ok, now I’m in trouble… see I got the D-11 as a FUTURE project. I wasn’t gonna build it for several months yet… And here I am… I just ordered the Eagle Cals JV44 sheet, am looking into getting the last two 190Ds for the staffel (I have Red 1 and a not-so-good Red 4 built back in NY) They are quite cool. I think I may splurge and get the correct radiator from Eagle Parts too… just for fun… now to find a few extra hours in the day.

Anyone got a time machine?