SPA Modeler

Well, finally caught up with this again. This will be interesting as I've not known anyone willing to build a model that is nose down like that unless they were doing a diorama. This will be interesting to follow now that I found it.

I'm in...

Fettle!

Fettling!

That was the word I tried to remember but could not.

Thanks, Duke! TGIF!

Where I am: thanks to Torben I am using his previous assemblage techniques as a guide.


Torben’s Eduard Fw190 A-5

I am not following his work perfectly because his kit was not a Profi-pack. Torben did add a slew of cockpit details. I will point out two with yellow arrows two added details which I am considering.

I have no problem pre painting these pieces then using canopy glue to affix them. I will be using canopy glue to attach all PE pieces. The ability to adjust then use a damp swab to remove any excess glue assures a neat final appearance. Using canopy glue assures a tight final bond even on painted surfaces. I will scuff the painted surface to increase adhesion.


USAF D-9

This is a D-9 pre-restoration and very useful in terms of wiring looms, map case, general wear and tear, etc. and features a weathered through the years dark grey finish which matches Eduard’s painted PE better than the RLM 66 I am using. I am not gonna change colors though. I think if those panels and switches were cleaned up, the color would match better. Unless the Dora in this case was painted differently. Anything is possible. I do see strong hints of what I think would be RLM 66 on the instrument panels.

I am still debating how distressed from crashing and souvenir hunting the cockpit is. I am treating the aircraft as overall new condition with major damage from the crash to the propeller, hub and lower cowling. Souvenir hunters opened the hatches and covers, cowling, sliding canopy, etc. and shot up the windscreen. Inside the cockpit I am not seeing direct evidence of seatbelts. However on the ground there is a pile of torn webbing which could be seatbelts. It might not be. Still thinking about that.

I have the Squadron 190 Walkaround book for you need some photos. Most are based off a 190A-8 of JG-5 recovered from a Norwegian Fjord and restored.

Fettle... isn’t that a word in 99 Luftballons?

What I found online—

fettle in British English

a. to prepare or arrange (a thing, oneself, etc), esp to put a finishing touch to.

b. to repair or mend (something)

Stikpusher wrote: Fettle... isn’t that a word in 99 Luftballons?

Nena wrote:"...sie witterten schon fette Beute."

what means "they already winded fat prey".

“Well that’s a fine fettle of Kishinev you’ve gotten us into!”

Hey! Thank you both! I am overloaded with one or two new things happening in my life right now so my updates are going to be pretty sparing for the moment. There are a few things I really do not like about the cockpit design. The first accuracy issue concerns the slab PE pieces on either side of the pilot. These lay on top of each section when in reality there were multiple sub assemblies which were located inside each singular molded section. See diagram and photo and if this is still confusing I will sketch it. The controls did not all sit on top: the panels were inside a framework with openings for each section. The other accuracy issue is the armored plate on the floor is one piece yet Eduard molded this as two.

There are tons of things that are not going to be technically accurate but we have to accept the limitations of the materials we are using and do the best that we can. Yes, some of those controls on the side panel sit in recessed sub-areas. Eduard represents that entire panel at a single elevation. I don't look at is as right or wrong but rather as acceptable or unacceptable. At 1/48 scale, considering the limited view into a Fw190 cockpit, I would personally consider it as acceptable and move on. Accuracy is a not a big deal to me personally when I build models. Perceived authenticity is and that authenticity may incorporate many inaccuracies depending on what I can and cannot do. Try drawing a line between what you can do and what you can't (or... don't wanna) and just forget about all of the stuff beyond that line. That might help move your builds along.

Thanks, John! I agree. I thought Eduard would approach a cockpit a bit differently. It’s possibly to chop and channel the PE a bit - I found a wonderful photo of the NASM Ta-152H0 cockpit which shows the B level of the cockpit construction. Part of my thinking is that the switches and gauges were probably vandalized as well as the seat belts. I do prefer “verisimilitude” to “authenticity” but I am completely in agreement with your comments.

Not to mention, you won't even notice it closed up especially in 1/48 scale. Just build it and enjoy it without micromanaging the finer details. It's not worth it to worry about such details.