SPA Modeler

Thanks, Ken—I sincerely appreciate your encouragement! I am starting to see glimpses here and there of improvements to my approach. I definitely am building up techniques by learning how others here work. Education is a major benefit for anyone who joins a forum. I feel I am putting in time on a foundation for making a project. I have to head out for work and the guys doing the soft story refit on my building are hammering so my thoughts are being assaulted. Not that that is a kvetch. I am grateful that the floor of my apartment was secured to the walls yesterday. I think the next move is to add a new load bearing pillar to replace the skinny one holding up my floor. It’s not so much the banging, it’s the music on the boom box. It’s too early for loud music. Thankfully they were just told to turn it down. Let’s see how long that lasts.

Floki wrote:Very nice Bruce! Used but not too used I like it

Good morning! Thanks, Clint—I definitely appreciate your comments. I am kind of amazed by how many variations of actual RLM66 there were. It was a tough color to create a standardized version from—and I see this reflected in models being built today. Some are more black than grey. Correct me if I am wrong but this color is a field grey mixed with black, essentially, for modeling purposes? I went with MM’s version since I have a small stock on hand. The other reason is the tone, but I did initially lighten this.

I still have to add the compass on the pilot’s right. I think what PCM did was mold cockpit details in relief which is why removing the majority of raised slabs was a good move visually. Their approach makes painting easier but I sidestepped that by using pre-painted PE. That just looks waaay better to me too.



I took this image about midway through—the areas where I applied graohite were limited to the edges, then I pulled the graphite where I wanted it specifically, not as an all over wash but in different areas. I kept toning this down with more water. A little goes a long way.

This keeps looking better and better Bruce. As far as different versions of RLM-66 goes, I think like many military paints, there is a government specification, and then there are variances that occur in production for one reason or another during wartime. Multiple producers, material shortages due to demands or scarcities, etc.
I don’t know if you can mix RLM 66 from Field Gray. But if it looks right and close enough, go for it.

Thanks, Carlos—you’re right about a combination of factors affecting the production of paint stocks. I am also dealing with an aircraft produced on the cusp of the rule change from RLM02 to RLM66 for its interior cockpit color. I find it interesting that PCM calls out RLM02 for the control stick! I have RLM02 from Gunze so I will load a tiny amount in the air brush to give that a lick.

Question of the Day



Is the box on the floor (hah technical term) being used to cover the cable connecting the pilot to his radio?

It's actually a fuel tank cover plate. The two main fuel tanks sat directly under the pilots a**. To get access to a part of the fuel piping system you had to remove that panel. But I think also some wiring was hidden under it.

mostrich wrote:It's actually a fuel tank cover plate. The two main fuel tanks sat directly under the pilots a**. To get access to a part of the fuel piping system you had to remove that panel. But I think also some wiring was hidden under it.

Thank you so much, Torben! I was about as far off from thinking what this was as I could be. I thought it was covering radio equipment, not a fuel tank access. That is great information!

I'm a geek when it comes to my favourite wingy thing and I'm happy to share my (in nearly all situations of life) useless knowledge. The radio equipment is to find behind the pilots seat along with the luggage compartment. Starting with the A-8 series the compartment was replaced by an additional fuel tank. Again, close to the pilot.

Radio control boxes on most fighters are usually located on a cockpit sidewall. Often on the opposite side from the throttle. The pilots head set lead cord will usually plug in there. I’ll have to look in my Squadron book to see where it is on a 190. As Torben noted the radio set itself on a 190 is in the fuselage. They were big bulky sets at that time and those large access hatches on the fuselage sides was how the commo guys accessed them.

Thank you both! I was wondering where the cable originated which attached to the short lead from the pilot’s helmet.



Perhaps, like his oxygen, the radio cable was on his right?

And I'm guessing that the raised panel covered up some linkages and/or wiring from the control stick to the front of the cockpit.

You are absolutely right, John! I have seen various wires emanating from the area around the fuel tank. I sincerely appreciate your reply!

Torben—On the contrary, your knowledge is not only broad but deep! Thank you so much for solving the Question of the Day!

Tor Edgar Olsen and Black 3

Many may know if the story so I will not bother a full retelling! However, Mr. Olsen found an A-3. In his words:

“On October 5, 1943 werk.nr 0132219 Black 3 was lost when the pilot Hans Gunther Kleemann had to abandon the plane after he ran out of fuel. He was disorientated by a heavy snow storm, not finding any airfield in time. He took to his parachute and came down between Kongsfjord and Berlevåg in Finnmark, the northern part of Norway.

He was lightly wounded in a foot, but was able to walk, and came down to Berlevåg. He was back with his unit two days later.”

The plane crashed southwest of Kongsfjord, and was found by Olsen in 1984. Very few people had visited the wreckage, and most of the parts were in place scattered around in the field.

Salvaged in 1986, the wreckage restored, Black 3 became the second surviving A-3.

Here is the “behalterkopdeckung.” Do I have that right?