New E-flite Fw-190A, 1.5m

[SanExup]

Thanks Rex, I would like to get to the point of making and using stencils. Decals work, but painted markings look authentic. And every time I visit flight museums or even some military planes currently flown, I get encouraged to paint more. I look forward to having more time in the future to devote to modeling, with equal time flying. I constantly feel that I can't get as much time as I'd like at either. I love this hobby, it just doesn't get old.

[jetfool]

Your FW-190s look great.

Rex

[SanExup]

I know, these aren't true replicas of the schemes they are copying. I obviously love the Fw 190 and hope to do a true replica some day. But some level of creative license will have to do for now. I really like the night fighter, I know the real ones didn't really have any markings, but I feel like an axis of evil plane should look a little evil. My poor Jewish wife has asked me a few times, wtf is with all the german planes? I actually have way more allied planes. I just happen to like all the variations of Focke Wulf planes. I really like the way they fly, though this one could be a bit faster. Cheers!

[davegee]

Hmmmm.... Interesting. Maybe we'll have a real humdinger new addition to the model fleet soon! We can only hope...

Neat that you also research the pilots who flew planes that you have replicated over your modeling career. I remember once I was doing a pilot figure for a friend. He actually knew this pilot in real life and wanted to get it just right to show him. I remember asking my friend "do you know if your friend is right or left handed? " He looked at me quizzically like I was crazy. I just replied that since we were going to have the pilot figure sitting in the cockpit with his oxygen mask unbuttoned and hanging off to the side of his helmet, that if he was Right handed, he would unfasten the mask with his Right hand and it would hang to his left. Conversely, if he was Left handed, he would most probably unfasten the mask from his helmet using his Left hand and it would hang to the right of his helmet. Seemed like a necessary minor point of detail to me, maybe he thought it was over the top, but that's ok. I found out the pilot was right handed and hung the mask accordingly! The point being, in my book, you seldom go TOO far in researching details that will make your model more accurate, even something as simple as how a oxygen mask should hang from a leather helmet in a cockpit.

Cheers

Dave

[jetfool]

Dave,
I also like researching the aircraft I model. I like to try and understand the man in each plane. Moritz was an accomplished pilot and had over 39 victories at the time of his death. Seems that a lot of the good leaders were lost because they led inexperienced pilots to try to bring them up to speed but overwhelming odds caught up with them.
I had a phone conversation last week with Motion support tech, and I asked about a new warbird. He said FL had been working on a new plane for quite a while but didn't say when or what it was, He thought it might come out soon. We can only hope. He did say it would be better than their previous models.

Rex

[davegee]

Elbee,
Thank you for the compliment, She is beautiful and has been supporting my aviation addiction for 40 years. My FW-190 looks very wicked in this paint scheme.

Davegee,
My FW was flown by Hauptmann Wilhelm Moritz from Stab IV.(Sturm)/JG3, Memmingen, Germany, July 1944. These pilots flew into B-17/B-24 bomber swarms and got as close as they could before firing. It only took 3 hits from the 108mm cannons to bring down a B-17/B24. Most times they only had 30-40 planes against 700-800 bombers, must have been a horrifying feeling to see this and keep going up every day. They had to have ME-109 protection to keep allied fighters away. I have a BT 61 1/2" ME-109 semi-kit that I think I will build to go with this. The ME paint schemes of this unit have some sinister markings.
Sounds like you will have a busy year or two with your NASM projects. If Elbee was a contractor he would be my first choice for the 3-d printing.
Maybe FL will introduce a big 1600 Hellcat or better B-17. Hopefully they announce something soon.

Best Regards, Rex

Have you heard some reliable info that a new plane is in the works from Flightline? I hadn't heard anytihing myself, other than wishful thinking by some. I hope they do come with something good soon, though!

Thanks for sending the background info on your plane, makes it more interesting to me assigning a particular marking and pilot to the airplane, for historical resasons.

Dave

[jetfool]

Ok guys, I am balancing my plane with the gear up, upside down. With my Admiral 5000 50c battery all the way forward it balances at 105mm perfectly. Is this a good starting point or what are your recommendations? Rex

[jetfool]

Elbee,
Thank you for the compliment, She is beautiful and has been supporting my aviation addiction for 40 years. My FW-190 looks very wicked in this paint scheme.

Davegee,
My FW was flown by Hauptmann Wilhelm Moritz from Stab IV.(Sturm)/JG3, Memmingen, Germany, July 1944. These pilots flew into B-17/B-24 bomber swarms and got as close as they could before firing. It only took 3 hits from the 108mm cannons to bring down a B-17/B24. Most times they only had 30-40 planes against 700-800 bombers, must have been a horrifying feeling to see this and keep going up every day. They had to have ME-109 protection to keep allied fighters away. I have a BT 61 1/2" ME-109 semi-kit that I think I will build to go with this. The ME paint schemes of this unit have some sinister markings.
Sounds like you will have a busy year or two with your NASM projects. If Elbee was a contractor he would be my first choice for the 3-d printing.
Maybe FL will introduce a big 1600 Hellcat or better B-17. Hopefully they announce something soon.

Best Regards, Rex

[davegee]

Hi Rex: was this airplane scheme from a particular unit and pilot? I'd like to know more about that if you do know some on that model. Really looks great, and I'm sure you'll have a good maiden on it.

The NASM work will keep me pretty busy for the next year or so, probably longer. Not a whole lot to do at the moment as we're talking to 3D print fabricators on who would give us the best price and the highest quality models. I'm talking to four different companies at this point, and will make a decision who gets the contract by summer, hopefully. Can't remember if I told you but for the new WWII gallery, we are going to hang 18 1/72 scale B-17 printed models from the ceiling at various levels, the purpose being to show how the "combat box" worked to get the most protection from fighters and getting the bombs on target from a compact formation. I think it will be pretty cool, as well as all the other neat stuff that will be there.

My biggest part in this museum project is repurposing a 40 year old 1:15 scale space shuttle orbiter that will hang upside down from the ceiling with the payload bay doors open and the Hubble Space Telescope inside. That will be lots of work, and I have to cut out the payload bay doors from the fiberglass model. That will be probably one of the trickiest parts, and one that I must NOT screw up!

After this and all the other models and things I'm doing as part of this transformation of the museum, as they're calling it, I would love to add a F6F Hellcat into my fleet. They had a great FMS foamie that had a retractable tailwheel, as well many years ago. I flew the crap out of it until it couldn't fly anymore,. But I think it might have gone out of production, and is almost impossible to find. I might consider one of the NEXA models, but I would want to add on a scale retractable tailwheel too. The other plane I would love to do is a B-17G, especially if they come out with a new one that is even better scale that what I've seen so far. Not sure if it will happen, but I can dream about it, anyway!

Cheers

davegee

[Elbee]

This is the new E-Flite FW-190 ... Wife and I were talking this morning....[a]lways good to have her on my side.

Rex, She is a beauty and your Focke-Wolfe is, too. Best, LB

[jetfool]

Davegee,

This is the new E-Flite FW-190 I purchased in First week of Febuary. I started working on it between down time on the Corsair. I didn't fill the seams but used my A L Bentley 3-views for checking the dimensions. the model is pretty close so I measured the guns, aerials and scaled to fit. Not perfect but it came out nice. I would like to do the wheel wells and add more to the cockpit later. Need to add some more nomenclature also. They say it flys nice but like the Corsair, throttle management is crucial along with wheel landings. Maiden hasn't been made so I will have 2 planes to do this spring. I like challenges. In the wings I have a Sky Shark TBF Avenger and a Wing 61 1/2" Hellcat that I think would be great on electric and a scale prop. With our cold and dreary weather I have spent a lot of time/hours in the shop and I'm ready to get my practice planes out as soon as I can.
After your NASM project what model are you doing?
You and Elbee really got me inspired to try different things this winter and got my interest going again. Toledo Show used to be the big spring motivator.
How are you progressing with your 3-d printer? Wife and I were talking this morning and she said I should get a printer. Always good to have her on my side.
Best Regards, Rex

[davegee]

Looking Great, Rex! Is this a new plane, or a repaint that you've had around for awhile? Have you already flown this plane before?

Dave

[jetfool]

Today I finally called it done. There are more things I would like to add but want to get the C/G and settings done because good weather is just around the bend. I have included a picture of the aircraft that I have tried to portray. My lighting in the basement shows the weathering a little darker than it actually is. Hope it passes with fellow modelers. Your comments are welcome. This model gives someone a good canvas to apply many different paint schemes that were used during the war.

Best Regards, Rex

[davegee]

Finished painting the wing and made a start on the weathering. Right side of picture shows the weathering and the left side needs to be done. Quite a contrast I think. Rex

Looks great, Rex! You're right, you have a big difference between a plane that flew in Europe like this and a Corsair that suffered under South Pacific conditions. Tastefully and realistically done!

Cheers

Davegee

[jetfool]

Finished painting the wing and made a start on the weathering. Right side of picture shows the weathering and the left side needs to be done. Quite a contrast I think. Rex

[jetfool]

Worked on the bottom wing today. I added the loading shoot for the 108mm cannon and taped off the ejection ports. Used an old model paint brosh to make the antenna aerial on bottom of wing, it is removable.. Not filling the seams on this model just adding a few scale items. Finally painted the RLMpaint on the bottom. All for today.
Best Regards, Rex

[davegee]

Davegee,

Here are some photos from my Monogram German book. Rex

This is Great Stuff, Rex! I have to stand by to see exactly what paint scheme the NASM folks want. They have a real unrestored Me 163 Komet on display at Udvar-Hazy. The colors are faded and I don't know if they want me to mimic the paint scheme on the real one they have, or just go with one that is in the model instructions. There is a 1/32 plastic kit that they want it modelled. It's going to go in a display case setting on a plinth, probably with the gear up, not sure yet.

Appreciate you posting these pictures and info on the Komet. If I need anything to look at, I'll let you know. I used to have M&M color chip booklet, but after I got out of competitive shows like USSMA and TopGun, I didn't need them anymore and either sold them or gave them away when we made the move to WY over 3 years ago.

Thanks so much for chiming in!

Cheers

Davegee

[jetfool]

Davegee,

Here are some photos from my Monogram German book. Rex

[jetfool]

Davegee,
The colors I'm using are RLM 74,75,76. I matched them to my M&M color chips. I also have the Monogram German paint chips and they match with M&M. I have made the bottom wing antenna from an old plastic modelers paint brush. The ant is 5 1/4" long and is almost the correct shape. If it breaks it is screwed into the wing with a plastic 2-56 bolt like I sent you. My plans were to buy this and fly it stock but I couldn't stand the awful paint scheme HH used. Not going to go as far as my Corsair but will give it some lite weathering. Mostly they were fairly kept clean.
Also used the german Black from my M&M chips for the cowling. A different shade than straight black. My white is a scale white that I am using on all my planes.
Dave, If you need the correct paint chips for your NASM project, I will send you my books then you can send back after your paint choices.
Best Regards, Rex

[davegee]

Working on the wing I have added the gun covers and ejection chutes. Added the 108mm outboard cannons and the 151 mg on my A-8 R8,R2 strum fighter. After 3 coats of clear poly crylic paint I'm going to paint my RLM colors/ Best Regards, Rex

Looking great, Rex! Question: what exactly are the colors you're using for this repaint? I will be doing a small plastic model of the Me-163 Komet for the NASM and it is painted similarly. I have not used these German colors before.

Thanks!

Davegee