I built this kit for the Reich Defender III GB. As the build wenton I was dis satisfied with more than a few partsof this older kit. Externally everything looked good, with recessed panel lines, good sahpe, fit, etc. But the cockpit was screaming for help, and nothing was included for an engine, just a flat plate behind the cooling fan. So I made many modifications to fit spare parts from other FW-190 kits in my stash. From Tamiya’s FW-190D I took the BMW 801 radial, cooling fan, propellor and spinner that were part of a common sprue not needed on the Dora. From an Eduard FW-190A5 Profipack I took the instrument panel, Revi gunsite, Side consoles and rudder pedals, and main gear wheels that were not needed. I also added a True Details resin seat, scratch built a throttle, and since the window closing crank was rather prominent, created one from a modified 1/35 modern US 5 gallon plastic water jug lid. Of course nothing fit properly without surgery, so that was one of the major slow downs on this kit. And of course markings were an issue. The kit makes for an A8/R1 variant, and after all the other surgery, I didnot feel like modifying the wings as well. Well I did have some markings off an old Monogram FW-190 kit thatshow for an R1 in 6.JG1 markings. I can find no photographic evidence of this particular 190, but it was all I had to go with. I figured since the 190A8/R1 would have entered service about the same time as the large numbers of 8th Air Force long range escort fighters, this articular aircraft would likely not have had a long operational service life, so I went light on the weathering. The main camo colors are Humbrol for the 74/75/76 scheme with Tamiya 02 side mottle and Pollyscale Gelb, sealed under Humbrol Satin and a Promodeler wash. Markings are mix of old Aeromaster (20+years) and Monogram (<30years) decals from the decal drawer… Tamiya Pastels for the exhaust and gun smoke… I hope you like her…
Thank you hutch. Yes, it is a pity that you can hardly see the engine at all, but the cockpit is fairly visible in person. I know the penlight guys at the next IPMS Chapter meeting will have a go at it… And since you sked nicely here are few WIP shots of the cockpit before installation…
Very nice…thanks for providing the pit pics. I really like what you did with this kit… I’ve never done an Otaki before, how did it stack up? Would you do it again?
Arii/Otaki are very affordable kits. Externally they stack up well against other makers. Their biggest shortfall is in the cockpit, and some in the engines/wheel wells/landing gear. I think I paid around $12 for this one when I bought it years ago. I will build more. My next kit of theirs in my line up is a Me-109G6. I have several of their kits in the stash. I built their F6F last year and that kit was a real beauty. Aside from spiffing up the cockpit a bit and adding a little trunking to the engine cowling, but straight OOB its fine. They are great for trying stuff like this on… improving your scratchbuilding or AM addition skills with.
Yes indeed they do. They are pretty much on par with Monogram kits of the same vintage. Monogram had better/busier engines, cockpits, canopies, wheel wells, landing gear etc. Otaki had the exterior detail recessed and better trailing edges, etc. Both cost around the same.
Stik, that’s one fine looking butcher bird! In some of the pics it looks blueish but there is one midway through that seems more grey (which is what I expected) is that just the lighting? I think those Otaki kits can be okay builds, I picked up a couple for cheap and you did a premo job with the 190[t$t]. I would agree with your sparse cockpit comment, that seems to be the rub I read about them.
Tigerman, the markings came from the old Monogram kit, so that is one reason it probably brings it to mind.
Reasoned, I have yet to see an Otaki/Arii kit with a cockpit that comes close to old Monogram. At the very least the seats and IPs need facelift or better yet, replacement.
But a little effort goes a long way here and is fun.
I think I have that entire series (Otaki 48’s), for whatever reason I just HAD to get them all… As you said, they do build up decently but also lack some of the finer details.
Very nice FW Stik! Those 190s have a “cobby” feel about them. Tough, agile; a business-like 'bird for a deadly business. You did a fine job bringing that kit to life; again demonstrating that a great model is lurking in nearly every kit. Thanks for showing it!
SP: I’ve always liked the Arii/Otaki kits. Solid kits with a little extra work like you did here they can be built into beautiful models. Great job as always Stikpusher. Great job on the camo and all the extra work you put into the cockpit. [Y]
