Let me start out by saying that this is the worst fitting kit I have ever built (Italeri 1/72).
I started this kit last April, and all I can say is that it was a case of trying too hard, with not much to work with.
So anyway, here are some really bad pics.
In trying to make some minor improvements, I added
the fender “braces” made from stretched sprue.
The canopies fit much better when I first painted them on the model, but they didn’t go back on very well.
I made up for it a little bit by scratchbuilding the rear MG sight.
I also opened up the MG ports on either side of the canopy along
with the exhaust ports and engine access panel holes
Thanks to Swanny and Pix for helping me out with this build.
Pretty nice job, good looking model. I’ve looked at this kit, but never bought it or built it. The problem with the canopy fit could probably be disguised by filling the gaps with a good white glue, such as Krystsl Klear, and touching up the filled area by brush painting. I’ve done that on a few builds where the canopy simply refused to fit properly & it worked out OK.
Rick - If you build this kit, get ready to do some major surgery to get the parts to fit. The forward canopy was too small in height to match the center fuse/center greeenhouse. I decided to make it flush on the top.
Sorry to hear it was such a chore to build. I have one in the original Condor/(MPM)boxing, which is where Italeri got this model I’m told. Looks good though and I think you’ll find builds like this actually improve your skills…which will pay off on future builds. Thanks for posting this rarely seen a/c!
Looks great! I built a 189 way back when and still have good memories of it. Painiting that canopy framing must have been quite a job Once gain, looks great to me.
Thanks Dan, Obiwan, and waikong. I appreciate your kind words.
waikong - I seem to have an obsession for masking those Luftwaffe canopies lately. This is now the third build in a row that has those type of “greenhouse” canopies. I think I must be getting better at it though, as this one only took five hours to mask.[:)]
Daniel. Ed (Keyworth), Chris, Mark and Tigerman - thanks so much for your kind words.
I tell you, this build was a challenge for me, but I was not gonna give up the fight!
Mark - I chose to experiment with a combination of masking techniques. The center canopy was masked with BareMetal foil (my first use of this material). The other clear parts (forward canopy and tail cone) were masked with Tamiya yellow masking tape which I am more familiar with, as in this example of the Do17 that’s in my sig pic
Having used both materials, I’ve found the masking tape to be easier, although some of the smaller pieces tend to “float” on their own adhesive. Patience (or mania) is the key to getting through it all.
Tigerman - thanks for the compliment on my pics. I threw it together at the last minute by using my cutting mat as a base, and a white bookshelf as the background. I hope next time to have a better setup.
Although I may not respond to all the fine work shown by other members here in the Forum, I do appreciate your hard work and skill, and I learn from each and every one of you.
