JeroenPeters

Really sad news...

Love these italian stallions...

Nice! You read a lot about Aires not fitting too well on the first try, but you're nailing it.

I am enjoying this A LOT! Please continue

Here you see the He219 in the Bos Model Stand that I'm reviewing at the moment. Truly an amazing tool. All you need is a screwdriver to assemble a jig that fits your build. Biplane, twin engine or fighter. The wings arent glued at this point, but the jig holds everything together.

Valiant Wings Publishing Airframe & Miniature No.7 The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Radial-engine Versions By Richard A. Franks ISBN 978-0-9575866-4-2 I am blessed to live about 10 minutes from one of the largest aviation stores in the world. This gives me the opportunity to visit this store every single weekend and browse through their extensive book offer and actually flip through the pages of whatever book covers what I plan to build. The thing I as a modeller look for are detail shots, walkaround photo’s, a clear overview of versions within a type, colour profiles and scale drawings. A generic book covering history and some black and white ww2 photo’s just aren’t enough. You can have 10 books like this on one subject and still miss that one detailed undercarriage photo you’re looking for. This Airframe & Miniature title (subtitle ‘for the enthusiast and modeller’) is clearly by and for modellers. Looking at the colophon this is confirmed. Daniel Zamarbide and Jerry Boucher are involved in this publication. The Fw-190 is one of those planes (like the Bf109) you can be an expert on and still learn every day. Numerous versions saw the day of light in rapid succession during ww2. Field modifications and the fact that this plane was used as fighter, fighter bomber, ground attacker, torpedo plane and night fighter doesn’t make things easier for the modeller that wants to get things right, without even being a rivet counter. Evolution, the F and G series and conversions The book starts with a clear and complete overview of the evolution of the prototype and A-series. Every type shown with a line drawing profile and photographs. I guess this is a great way to check in what area the Fw-190F-8 version differs from a Fw-190F-3. Every thinkable variation is present and they cover over 55 pages. Camouflage and markings Categorized for the modeller the next pages address where which RLM colour goes. Sharp and colourful prints focus on the cowling, exhaust area, wings and tail bands and these are followed by a nice selection of colour profiles. The only remark I need to make here is that It would have been great to have a upper- and underside profile with every profile. As a modeller this is something I am always looking for in reference material. Fw-190 kits Through the years almost every large model company has released their version of the Fw-190A in every thinkable scale. Each with their own accuracies and in-accuracies. This book cover most of them. From the 1/144 Mark 1 Models, to the 1/24 Airfix one. It describes elements like the plastic that is used, accuracy, decals, etc… When we look at 32nd scale, Hasegawa is still the way to go. Their first A was the A-8, released in 2004 which was followed by about 10 other A-versions up until 2010. I’m sure a reprint of this book in a year or two will include the coming Zoukei Mura offering in 1/32… Building a Selection After all this talk about versions, colours and kits, it’s time to build one. One? Well, a whole selection actually. Libor Jekl starts with a couple of well documented build reports on 1/72 A’s, followed by Daniel Zamarbide who works his magic on the 1/48 Eduard offering. This model is renowned for it’s complex construction. There’s also a 1/32 Hasegawa model built by Steve Evans who points out how to deal with some in-accuracies on this kit. Quote: “This is the fuel filler access panel. Fill that sucker!” From building a Selection we arrive at: Building a Collection. This section point out exactly in what way a version differs from the next. I’ve always liked this feature in the old AeroDetail books. In detail Another feature always made me buy the AeroDetail books are the walkaround photo’s and schematic drawings. Close-ups of the canopy rails, aerial antenna, instrument panel, stencilling, etc.. Very useful stuff. This is the part that I use the most during a build. There’s almost 60 pages of drawings and colour photo’s (mostly taken of the NASM Fw-190). The drawings are taken from the original Luftwaffe manual. In the back of the book you’ll find a fold out technical drawing in 1:48 scale of the V-1 version, A-3, A-6, F9/R1, S-8 and A8/R2. Enlarge these drawings with 150% and you’ll have…. That’s right: 1/32 scale! Verdict This is the book you buy when wanting to build a Fw-190 radial engine kit. The highs: Very complete. Written by and for modellers. This book might be all you need as a reference when it concerns building alongside the kit’s construction manual. The lows: thin paper that can damage easily when fumbling the book during a modelling session. Colour profiles don’t include left, right, upper and lower profiles. If I had to give this book a mark from 1 to 10, I’d give it a 8,5. Definitely looking much forward to their next title. Highly recommended Our sincere thanks to Valiant Wings Publishing for the review sample. To purchase directly: www.valiant-wings.co.uk Jeroen Peters

Looks pretty grim. When business is low a message like this can be a death blow. So i guess it's the end.

Very nice camo work. Great demarcation lines. Congrats..

Oh wow... Great work.... Love it..

I'm getting these!

I can't believe I'm seeing this! I mean: it all seems logical and 'why not' turn cardboard into plastic, but your skills set it off... Following this...

Thnx! 3 major sections in all. They run all the way up to the canopy.

Hi Ralph, Well, the radio is made of heavy metal . MK1 supplies an additional weight but it was too big to fit. So instead of cutting it to size I added about the same weight in fishing lead. I didn't bother to weigh it since there's only one way of telling whether it's sufficient and that's building the whole thing We'll see!

Managed to close the fuse today. Added some extra fishing line weights in the nose just to make sure. Also removed the Revell Revi Gunsight. Looked to small and chunky so dug up a Quickboost one from the spares box.

This is one way to 'lose weight' Keep us posted. I moved this topic to General Discussion. Cheers, Jeroen

Seriously amazed by the detail... Need to get some!

Thnx for that! Cheers for the heads-up!

Cheers Ralph!

Hi Bevan, Thnx. I first use medium brown Mr. Hobby paint. Then i use oil paint (burnt sienna) undiluted and smear it on. Then I wipe the excess off with a soft cloth and Q-tip

Lovely work on the pit... and making the fuse fit.

CMK resin seats. Moulded on seatbelts sanded off. HGW seat belts added.

Nice going! So you're going to show off the fuel tanks?

Hi Johan, that is some clever engineering. Only now i understand what the base does. This is great for painting the underside and rigging biplanes. Congrats...

Eduard 1/32 Gloster Meteor F.4 Interior Upgrades: 1/32 Gloster Meteor F.4 Interior (32804) 1/32 Gloster Meteor F.4 Interior Zoom (33139) 1/32 Gloster Meteor Seat belts (32816) Designed for HK Models kit. Having recently reviewed the ProfiModeller upgrades for the HK Models Gloster Meteor the reference material I have on hand did not even make it back to the book shelf. As said in that review, the HK Models cockpit is basic but not in dire need of upgrades. This is how the HK Models Meteor is designed. Basic but complete. A perfect base for upgrades and added details. HK Models predicted that several after market companies would jump in and they were right. Fisher Models and Alley Cat made conversions and HGW and ProfiModeller welcome upgrades. And now Eduard joins the party. I’m sure these Eduard interior upgrades are only just the beginning. Wheelbays, Brassin wheels, exterior… Just a matter of time I reckon. I’m getting carried away. Let’s look at these two sets. I’m saying ‘two’, because the Zoom interior is as always a dressed down version of the full interior. For a view on the details in the HK Models kit, check out our review here: http://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/2253-132-gloster-meteor-f4/ 1/32 Gloster Meteor F.4 Interior (32804) Peel open the plastic envelope on the bottom and pull out the contents. (I’m saying this because I always used to cut these open on the top and only recently discovered the bottom offers a re-usable flap). One sturdy backing card, instructions, self-adhesive pre-colored PE, brass PE and a small piece of film for the gun sight. The pre-colored self-adhesive fret gives you the instruments panel (backing plate with dials) and front with bezels. Elements for the gun sight. I happen to own a gyro gun sight from a Meteor and I can say this really adds some nice detail. The front switch/dial that lets the pilot select the type (diameter) of target, the upper lens bezels and the selector on the left that lets the pilot select between rockets and guns. Nice… Also on this fret are the rudder pedals and a selection of colourful switches and levers. In a cockpit as black as the Metero’s and possibly one of the most boring cockpits I’ve come across, the smaller details and colours can make all the difference between a black pit and a cockpit. The fret as described above is self-adhesive. This ‘self-adhesiveness’ is something you either love or hate. Personally I rather glue the PE myself. Why? Because the glue that is used by Eduard is a bit on the ‘thick’ side and therefor a bit more difficult to glue without leaving a bit of a space between the part and your plastic. On the other hand, a real plus with this glue, is the rubber cement characteristic it has. It lets you place the part and adjust positioning until right. With superglue this is more difficult. My trick? I glue PE on flat surfaces with a bit of Future. Let it dry and then use very thin superglue (like Zap) and let it run under the PE through capillary function. The ink on the pre-coloured fret is shiny as it always is with pre-coloured PE. No problem, since you can just spray some matt-varnish. On the brass PE fret we find a forward windshield fairing (nice!!). Now this is something that adds some realism with an open canopy. Usually models feature a flat edge to the wingshield, whereas reality shows rails on the sides of the canopy and a fairing on the windshield. This piece really appeals to me. Also on this fret is a full PE seat, a map holder, straps and some other small bits and bobs for the sidewalls. All the above parts are only included in the full interior set and not in the Zoom set. You could say that the Zoom set only offers the Instrument Panel. I can’t quite figure out the price of the Zoom edition, since the Eduard site lists it the same price as the full interior. I’m guessing this set will be about € 10,-. 1/32 Gloster Meteor Seat belts (32816) The seat belts come in a separate pack. A common thing with Eduard and something I’m sure most modellers can appreciate since not every modeller is a big fan of pre-coloured PE seatbelts. They are slightly easier to assemble then fabric ones’, but the trick is to prevent the paint from peeling off when bending it. Heating the PE in order to make it easier and more natural to bend is tricky, since the paint can blacken or catch fire. On the other hand: the detail on these seatbelts is great. Down to the stitching and the serial number / code on the shoulder straps. One thing is for certain: your HK Models Meteor needs seat belts, since none are included in the kit. Instructions The instructions are amongst the clearest you’ll find in PE upgrade sets. Clear and leaving nothing to the imagination. There is a minimal amount of surgery needed with this set (always indicated by red areas) so it’s basicly a matter of following what number goes where. Conclusion: ProfiModeller or Eduard? Compared to the ProfiModeller upgrade there is more detail in this full interior set by Eduard.I guess it’s mostly a matter of what you prefer. If you prefer to have full control of your colours and airbrush the PE yourself, the ProfiModeller set will do. A great feature in the ProfiModeller set is the inclusion of the rear deck under the rear canopy part. This area needs detail and Eduard does not include this. But then there’s the sidewalls and the seat! They need love too, and ProfiModeller does not include them…. Difficult choice… I’d go with both and use the best of both worlds. This Eduard set is a great addition to a potentially Spartan and basic cockpit. Add the seatbelts and you’re almost there… I wish Eduard would have included the canopy sliding rails and rear deck detail. Then it would have been a very complete set. Highly recommended Our sincere thanks to Eduard for the review sample. To purchase directly: 1/32 Gloster Meteor F.4 Interior (32804) € 18,95 1/32 Gloster Meteor F.4 Interior Zoom (33139) 1/32 Gloster Meteor Seat belts (32816) € 11,25 Jeroen Peters