Alain Gadbois

Nice looking engine! Some of it will be visible through the wheel wells still. Alain

Here is the video, I think it is quite interesting, if short. The relevant part starts at 2:50.

Yes, that's the one I have. A good reference and probably the only one around with so much information. Alain

Very nice work on this fascinating prototype! Do you need info on the cockpit or wheel wells? Alain

Fantastic work all around! Your Fw looks great in those colors! Alain

Nice work on this venerable kit! Here are some thoughts about interior colors. I have just watched a short clip on YouTube showing a captured Fw at the end of the war. The rear fuselage interior is bare metal but the tail wheel hatch and interior of the tail section are clearly painted. The wheel wells are not visible unfortunately. So some interior sections were painted even in 1945. Why is that, when it contradics the document mentioned previously? Well of course between instructions and reality there can be differences. One instance could be that damaged aircraft being refurbished could get painted or unpainted parts depending when those components were originally manufactured, even if those instructions were being strictly adhered to. Different suppliers might also have painted sub components for some time until stocks of paint were exhausted leading to a varied finish of the interior. I guess you can do pretty much as you please and frankly not be wrong in any way. Alain

I like the fact that you started with the pilot figures. It sets the mood for the build very well. I am curious on the techniques you will be using to make the battle damage. I have thinned styrene fuselage sections from behind then punched holes outward. Also I used aluminum paper, glued to the surface, and the damage looked incredibly realistic. Just some ideas... Alain

Beautiful model Max, well done in every manner. And your pilot figure is very nicely painted too! Alain

Your '109 turned out great! And nice dramatic photographic angles too! Alain

Cool and ambitious project! I agree with the spinning prop solution, as it is just impossible to have a believable effect with photoetch or clear disc. Alain

That rigging is very sharp Max! There seems to be some kind of stain running on your left stabilizer? Just a bit worried... Alain

Wow! That worn effect is totally convincing! Alain

Hi all! I have engraved the new panel lines and hatches on both fuselage halves. Here is the left side that has the most modifications as you can see with the original part just below. The old panel lines still show because they have been filled in CA glue. A coat of primer will help and I see there is still some sanding dust that needs to be removed! The hole in the spinner was drilled with an appropriate drill bit, and a bit of aluminum tubing cut that will be inserted in after painting This is the propeller from the ZM kit, with its strange pointy tips. I reshaped one blade to represent the specific type seen on this aircraft. I will make a small mold and cast three copies. The hub detail will be added too, before the mold is made. I made the photo against a neutral grey background (the inside of one fuselage half that was on hand!) so the shape is easier to see. Thanks for watching! Alain

Yes, I read that problem with the vac canopy, and my idea was to see if there could be a combination of short canopy and long exhaust, because sometimes there are exceptions and even good reference book can miss some information, and I know this from very real experience! In any case, feeling free to do what you want is the only obligation you need to have with your model and it is going to be very nice to be sure! Alain

Hi, According to your own book reference above, it seems the longer rear canopy section is on conjunction with the longer exhaust pipe. Might be good to check this... Alain

I would suggest you keep it, just subdue the rivets and lines with fine sandpaper. Lost panel lines can be restored locally with a light mark with an X-acto. Weathering at the end can be added to accent certain panels and areas according to references. This is a simple kit, keep work to basic skills otherwise I am afraid it could spiral off into too much work... Just my opinion here! Alain

Hi Michael, Good of you to add that detail, because it is often overlooked in models, even if it is usually quite visible! It is one of those things that bug me, especially when sometimes the kit is full of aftermarket and tons of additional details elsewhere. Alain

Very nice work on the sliding canopy! It looks quite to scale. Alain

Hi! Nice project! I seem to recognize the very old Hasegawa kit, right? Alain

Great work on the cockpit! Looks very nice. Alain

Very interesting work for your IP! This will look great for this project and your following builds. Alain

This camo is most striking on the G-55! Great choice ! Alain

I love the used and worn look of your model. Great build throughout! Alain

Thank you! I'm enjoying this project very much! Alain

Thank you! I must say that I paused a second with the razor saw in my hand: do I really want to cut up this perfectly good kit?...Yeah, ok, let's do it! I reality, the cutting part was easy, it's all the many differences that one seems to discover when you are actually working on the conversion that take a lot of time. Like all the different panel lines: There is an additional panel line at the front. To be perfectly parallel to the one next to it, I used a compass to lightly scribe the new line which starts at the tip of the red arrow. Next finished with an Olfa scriber (forgot to make a photo...) There is a fuselage panel line which is lower than on any other Fw190. To measure it, I placed a piece of paper directly on the photo on the computer, tracing the position the new panel line, the wing fairing at bottom and the canopy lower edge at top. Note: the original photo elsewhere shows that line much better. I placed the piece of paper on the kit part and with much luck, it was perfectly to 1/32 scale! I had already engraved the new line when I took the photo. You can clearly see the original line just above it. Today I went to the local hobby shop and purchased a Microscale train decal sheet that will give me the correct type of numbers for the serial number atop the fin: Thanks for watching! Alain