1/48 Hasegawa Focke Wulf Fw 190A-4

by Tudor Gheorghiu

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This was a one-month OOB build and a rather straight-forward project.  It helped me improve my airbrushing, weathering and decal application skills.  One good example is the engine exhaust, which is not as heavy as on my previous build (Bf 109G-6), thus making this model better looking, at least in my eyes. Kit decals were used, and they were very easy to work with.

Since the JG 54 'Green Heart' looks very cool as an emblem, it was easy for me to pick the shown scheme. This plane was flown by Kommodore Major Hannes Trautloft, Stab/JG54, winter 1942/43.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

As usual, I started with the cockpit, which was painted with RLM 66, while instrument panels were dry-brushed with white. Seat belts were again made from masking tape and old PE parts. The cockpit was then inserted in the fuselage.  Note that the engine cowling is rather tricky to put together.

The uppersurfaces were then painted white, with the engine cowling being painted with a 60%-40% white and RLM 75 respectively.  Undersides were painted with RLM 76. Eastern Front tail band, underside wing tips and cowling were masked and painted with RLM 04.
Exhaust stains from engine was done by painting thin layers of black and white, each on top of the other, until the desired effect was achieved. 

The landing gear was also a challenge, since the fit was very unstable. This small problem was eventually solved with CA glue.

After almost three weeks, the model came out quite nicely, being my first winter-scheme model.

Hope you like it as much as I do,

Tudor Gheorghiu

Photos and text © by Tudor Gheorghiu