Migrant's Bitty Butcher Bird

[Migrant]

Merlin Jones suggested I tackle a 1/144 kit to get me out of a temporary slump and to save me from re-runs of 'The Apprentice', so I dug this Eduard Fw190 from the stash. It's boxed as an A-5 but contains the parts for an F-8 as well, which is what I'm building.





This is my reference book for the colour scheme, and the actual aircraft I'm planning to do. These books are excellent, as besides the (very well executed) profiles are photos of the real thing.





Started this late last night, and after an hour's meddling this morning this is the state-of-play:-



I've hollowed out the solid cockpit and have made a rudimentary seat and armoured head-rest (yet to be installed). Trailing edges have been thinned (an absolute necessity in this scale) as have the undercarriage doors. The canopy is really thick so I'm not concerned about filling out the cockpit. Actually Eduard supply two canopies, I think one's supposed to be the more 'blown' style but they look pretty much identical to me.

[MerlinJones]

You mean that you're going to do those teeny tiny little squiggles?!?

[MerlinJones]

Knowing the canopy, he's done enough and I believe Mike is saving himself for tiny, precise airbrushing!

[Jagewa]

Ah I've figured it out at last! Mike has an ACME Enlargo/Shrinko machine, he can enlarge models to full size, paint them and then shrink them again to model size..

[Dirkpitt289]

Nice looking kit. Looks sharp. I've been eyeing that Butcher Bird book for some time now. I look forward to seeing more of this build. I think it might be a bit of a challenge in this scale though. Good luck

[Migrant]

Thanks for the comments. Progress is slow, but I've done a bit more:

In an attempt to reduce refraction and disguise the thickness of the canopy I've painted the edges black. Might work, might not.



I figured it would be easier to paint the green cowling first and mask the inside rather than do it later and mask around the outer edges.



A little scratchbuilt seat with seat harness from painted 3M tape.



A bit of pre-shading on the undersurfaces. No point doing it on the upper surfaces, it would completely disappear under the dark-grey/squiggle camo.

[MerlinJones]

Fair detail in the kit's wells, Mike.
The canopy tip is a good one.

Regards,
Bruce

[Migrant]

Fair detail in the kit's wells, Mike.

That's all in the kit Bruce.

Bit of an update. Upper/lower colours have been applied.




The insanity begins. Fortunately the squiggles are only on the fuselage and not the wings, so I might finish this year.

[MerlinJones]

Yay!
A Hairy Stick!

There's definite skill...or that *cough*-induced tremor has been put to good use!

Regards,
Bruce

[Dirkpitt289]

That is some incredible brush work. Very very amazing

[JamesPerrin]

So this is how madness starts.

[ShaunW]

This looks to be a nicely detailed kit, given the small scale. Those squiggles look amazing, sooner you than me though!

[airjim]

The insanity begins.

You ain't kidding Mike...wow...just...wow.

Jim

[PaulBradley]

Impressive, Mike.

[Jagewa]

Oh Mike, that third squiggle two back from the cowl is a right hook in the ref photo, not a left curl..

Brilliant brush skill, do you permanently model with an opti-visor on?

Cheers
Jim