1/72 Revell FW 189 A-1

Gallery Article by Phillip Steele on Jan 20 2011

 

An interesting subject, this aircraft.  It must have been a unique experience flying with over seventy trapezoids and triangles to look through. The kit was a bit of a bummer though, with poor fit just about every where. I had to shim or expand joints in many places get a good alignment on the booms and a decent fit for the complex clear parts. These were egg shell thin in places. The Masking was done with 3M tape.  At least the recessed panel lines were crisp and undistorted, which saved the kit from the bin. (It would be a recycle bin here in Nova Scotia)

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I experimented with a different pre-shading method for them crisp little lines. Before painting, I highlighted everything with a black sharpie marker, then washed it off with lighter fluid.  It won't attack the plastic.  The grooves retained the ink, and they were nicely visible after applying the light tan solvent based color.  Then I brushed on the dark green pattern using acrylic paint. I did this a bit sloppily, to make it appear as though it were hastily applied in the field and weathered some what.  I like the way it turned out.  Lighter fluid is also a good stripper for model paint, if you ever have the need.  

This build represents an aircraft form Pontsalenjoki airfield, North Sea Front,1943,one of two excellent decal options supplied. 

Phillip Steele

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Photos and text © by Phillip Steele