1/32 Hasegawa FW-190A-8

by Jim Dietz

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My latest project of the new 1/32 scale Hasegawa FW-190A-8 was inspired by all the really great reviews and information on the web from official and "nonofficial" sources which have all contributed to making my modeling much more enjoyable!
     I built this kit out of the box with the new Eagle Cals sheet. These large Luftwaffe kits have enabled me the use up most of my old stock of enamel Aeromaster Luftwaffe colors. I finally discovered the "secret" in using these paints. Thin, thin, thin! (50/50 with lacquer thinner and Model Master thinner, add 20-30% Aeromaster glaze, shake, and spray at 13psi. Your results may differ…) I use a single action Pasche H with a #1 tip.
     I skipped all the aftermarket items available to correct some minor inaccuracies, and came up with a couple of my own fixes for the often mentioned wrong spinner shape and prop blade shape.

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     To correct the Spinner shape and "look," I grinded the locator band of plastic out of the inside of the cowling with my Dremel Tool to locate the engine BEHIND the molded locator band. This will enable you to fix the profile of the spinner by moving the whole assembly -- engine, fan, prop -- rearwards about 3/32,’ but it makes a difference once you flatten (i.e., "blunt" the spinner) Take your flex-I-file, a start to blunt the tip of that distinctive Foke-Wulf spinner to achieve a very acceptable profile and "look." Finish up the spinner when you have about just a little of that hole in the center still left. 
     I had a few sink marks on the wings and flaps which were filled and polished out. I primed with the base coat RLM 76, and finished up the flaws with fine sand paper and polishing pads. The Xtracolor RLM Blue 23 RDV band was next taped and sprayed over the 76, and this had to set up about a day and a have before taping. However, because of the outstanding fast drying of the old Aeromaster enamels, I completed the entire RLM 74/75/76 scheme the next evening, and followed up with the Aeromaster RLM Yellow 04 the later the next day.
     The entire a/c was then carefully sprayed with Future, at about 12-13 psi out of the bottle. I feel the decals adhere much better over a coat of 36 hr. old Future, and I can now also use oils for some of the weathering as the Futures seals the enamel paint. After 24 hours, I sprayed several thin coats of Testor’s clear flat at about 15psi, no more as it will hit the surface "frosty" -- from drying in the air -- (Too much pressure!) which leaves a subtle sheen on the plane.
     I found one photograph of this a/c with its pilot in Luftwaffe Aircraft in Profile, Part II. Based on this photo of the left side, and other unit photos in my collection of the period, I finished the mottle in a light, medium sized blotch pattern with leading edge scalloping of RLM 76, consistent with A-8 models in summer 1944. I lightly weathered the area behind the exhaust and down the fuselage very subtly as these a/c did get sooty. Exhaust stains and light gun stains were added with pastels. The drop tank was weathered with drip stains and faded warning sings in German for a more scale effect.
     Final details include shortening the tailwheel about 3/32," and using black stretched sprue for the antenna cable. The MG 151 cannon barrels were made from tubing cut and polished with the Dremel, and the cowl guns were drilled with a #80 pin vise, and photoetched seat belts and straps added to the cockpit.
    

Jim 

Photos and text © by Jim Dietz