1/48 Trimaster Focke-Wulf 190D-9

by Bill Lachance

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Here are some photos of one of my latest builds, Trimaster's 1/48 Focke-Wulf 190D-9. I used Eagle Cals markings (sheet # 48 021 "Yellow Tailed D-9s") to depict "Yellow 11," a late war aircraft. These exhibited a "patchwork" appearance, as components were manufactured and painted at small industries prior to being assembled elsewhere. The decals are beautifully printed, and they even included data placards for the main landing gear legs!

Trimaster's kit suffers from the same inaccuracy that plagues others - the wheel wells are the same as the BMW radial-engined versions. Jumo engined Fw 190s had the same open wheel wells as the Ta 152. To correct this, I removed the dimpled area of the wells, and added a Jumo 213 engine from an old derelict DML Ta 152 kit. Plumbing and electrical wires were added, using photos I found on the internet as reference.

The kit includes brass tube for the gun and cannon barrels, as well as the pitot tube. Photoetch stainless steel and white metal parts are also included. Curiously, there were no photoetched seat harnesses. I added some from an Eduard Luftwaffe belts set. I also added two levers to the bottom control panel in the cockpit. The upper control panel was separated from the lower, and glued into the assembled fuselage from below. This insured a proper fit.

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Using the photos I found as reference, I added hydraulic and electrical lines, as well as tailwheel retraction cables, to the main landing gear legs. The white metal tailwheel is a single piece, so I hollowed out the area between the yoke and tire for a more realistic appearance.

The upper surface camouflage was painted freehand with Model Master enamels. The light gray on the wings was noted on the decal instruction sheet as a primer. I darkened some Model Master IJN Gray for this color. I masked and painted the fuselage RV band with Color of Eagles acrylic White and RLM 04.

The lower surfaces were painted with Alcad II paints. I used White Aluminum, Duraluminum, and Dark Aluminum for the different shades. The leading edge of the lower wing, along with the landing gear covers, was painted with RLM 75. The RLM 76 Light Blue was also Model Master enamel.

This patchwork paint scheme really adds some interest to the shelf!

Fw 190s have a lot of detail at the wing fillet that can be lost to filling and sanding. To avoid this, I glued the upper wings to the completed fuselage. This "trick" comes in handy for many kits. The lower wing fit snugly, as there is enough flex to the fuselage sides to align the wing halves.

Based on the photos, I filled an area forward of the wheel wells with sheet styrene. The reference I used may have been from a D-13, which has a single shell ejector chute for the propeller-mounted cannon. Check your references carefully. I may do my next one differently.

Thank you for letting me share this pleasurable build with you!

Bill

Visit my website to see other models of mine, I also build models on commission.  http://www.pix.prettyneatinc.com/

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Photos and text © by Bill Lachance