I finally managed to get some more work done on Dragon’s 1/48 Ta 152. Getting the website going is taking away from my building time.
I added the Eduard photoetched parts for the wheel wells. They’re a little tricky.
The PE flaps need a lot of care. There are 21 tiny ribs to install, and there are no spares.
I didn’t care for the ribs in the kit cowls, so I replaced them with styrene strips and solder. I also cut them apart at the hinge line that Trimaster/DML/Dragon missed.
I just finished the other cowl panel.
I wanted to make sure that the engine and wheel wells didn’t interfere with each other, so I test fitted the wings and fuselage. I don’t think there will be any problems here.
You can see the rest of the build here: http://www.pix.prettyneatinc.com/ta152build.htm , as well as more detailed explanations of what I did.
After I paint the wheel wells and cowl panels with Alcad, I can assemble the airframe and get to the camouflage !
Looking great. Thanks for sharing. I’ve got to get going with my Dora for the lagnase GB but the move to NJ makes free time difficult and I haven’t set up my desk yet. Yours looks great however.
Hiya Pix,
All I can say is, SWEET… Looking good so far my friend. I like the replacement ribs… Nice touch.
One thing that I look at is the interior, I am not sure why but my eye always draws there first. Again very very nice especially for the smaller details. Are those “T” handles scratch??
So what is she going to be dressed up in?? Any thoughts?
Flaps up, Mike
yardbird and TJ - when I get around to posting the detailing articles at my site, you’ll see that you can add a lot with minimal effort. All the detail in the cowl panels was added with a #11 blade, sheet styrene, solder, and CA. I just have to remember to stop while I’m working so I can take some pics of what I’m doing !
Mike - the handles are PE from the Eduard set. You don’t get much area for glue, and it takes some patience to align them. I use Zap-A-Gap for them, since you get a little time to move them. Right now, I’m thinking of doing “Green 8” from JG 301. It’s one of the only ones for which I’ve found a W. Nr.
THat’s seems to be a very nice kit (but then again anything you touch “seems” to turn out masterful), what’s your evaluation so far?
THanks for sharing the pics. I always appreciate the details you are able to produce.
Pix, I am inspired as always by your amazing work. The other nice thing is that my area of interest is late war German fighters so most of your projects are in my build pile. Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing.(any plans for a late war 109?)
mucker - this is the third time I’ve built this kit, and the second one with Eduard’s PE. It was one of Trimaster’s kits, repackaged without the white metal and much fewer PE parts (I have a Trimaster boxing to build). I love these kits. The detail is great, and the outlines look like the real thing. They are by no means “shake-the-box” kits. Dryfitting, trimming, filling, and sanding are required. You have to pay attention while you build. I don’t consider easy kits to be good.
ron - I don’t have any 109s in the pile right now, but I built this 1/48 Hasegawa Bf 109K-4 a couple years ago, with Aires cockpit and AeroMaster markings.
Pix that is truly outstanding and awe inspiring. Any idea where I could get one of those? I wanna build one using your brilliant article as a strict guide. (Sorry if that seems like copying or something…)
I got the kit about a year ago from Great Models. I’ve looked at the larger on-line stores, and I don’t see it listed. They can be found occasionally on eBay. The kit was released by Italeri, without the engine or photoetched parts. The only resin Jumo 213s available are the A model, which was used in the Fw 190D. This engine is an E-1, which differs in many ways. I’d suggest looking for the DML or Dragon release. The Trimaster boxing is relatively rare (but I’ve got one), and can sell for $$$. Good luck, and thanks again !
I found one Trimaster kit in pretty good conditions, but without decals and instructions.
However the decals are not a problem and I am wondering if you could send me by mail a copy of the instructions (if you still have) or tell me where I can download them.
