"One lovely bird" the Ta152H

[jssel]

Based on a quote by Luftwaffe pilot, Willi Reschke, Stab /JG 301, the Ta152H was "one lovely bird." It is quite pleasing to the eye.

My victim is the Italeri release of the older Trimaste/Dragon/DML mould in 1/48th scale. The Italeri release is simplified as it does not include the PE or optional parts to expose the engine. The decal sheet has examples of two different aircraft of JG301.

A while back I bought several kits at a LMS that had been started and were offered very cheaply. I will grab some bits from the Trimaster kit to enhance this one. A small fret of PE and the decal sheet which is loaded with numbers and stenciling.

Boxart:



Innards:



Kit issued decals: Cartagraph



So for better or worse we will be off and running on the 1st

[VickersVandal]

Hmmm..... I can't say I share yours and Willi's views when it comes to aesthetics. The longer snout 190s look all out of proportion to me.

Nonetheless, I'm sure this will be a great build!

[Molly-new]

I tend to agree with VV I'm afraid, the nose just looks wrong. Still, I know the actual build will be awesome, as always.

[TobyC]

I like the 152 probably because it's so different to the 190.
Looking forward to seeing it in all its magnificence.

[gnomemeansgnome]

Neck in neck with the FIAT G.55 I think the Ta 152H was one of the most pleasing Axis Fighters of all. I have 3 FROG kits and plans for all of them.

[jssel]

Work commences with the cockpit and wing spar.



While the parts are well detailed the edges of each piece need adzing to clean things up. But I think it is time to put on some RLM66. My paint of choice this time will be Tamiya XF63 German Grey. A very dark grey at that. Now the color call out on the instruction sheet indicates light green. Not at all correct.



A little fuselage work. The Italeri kit has some of the original Trimaster sprues including the rear engine mount. I am thinking abot taking the engine from the Trimaster kit and display it next the finished model. The engine block had been roughly painted with a hair stick with gloss red paint. I'll have to work on that.

[jssel]

So now we have some RLM66 (Tam XF63) applied to the interior. This morning I drybrushed some white over the details.



RLM02 was applied to the wheelwells and the pieces were put together. A rather ill fit on the leading edge closest to the wing root. This may have been caused by the four separate wing braces that are added and I may have mis-aligned the pieces. But after careful trimming, it did not clear up the problem. Out came the filler.

At any rate I taped together the major pieces and have found the whole kit is ill fitting and will take some work.





I remember years ago reading a Robert Steinbrunn article in Fine Scale Modeler about the trials and tribulations of building this kit but it slipped my mind until working on this project.

[Molly-new]

Nice start Jeff, shame about the kit fit though.

[jssel]

Work continues this morning with some more cockpit work. Better drybrushing with flat white and some leather color added. Clear glass bezels need to be added using Future. I am adding a little P.E. off the fret but quite frankly some of the kit moulded parts have better definition.




While I had the RLM66 out, I painted the tires.



P.E. harnesses are coming up next.





I tried different camera angles but could not get a focus on the leading edges of the wing but the repairs are completed and finished with a coat of Tamiya Surface Primer to check outany seams that may be showing.

[TimJ]

Nice work so far.

[jssel]

Bit of an update today.

Working on getting the main frame buttoned up.


This is the plastic moulded piece for the cockpit decking. I felt it was better than the P.E.



Thie was a nice fit to the fuselage but took some "grninging" to get the front of the scoop aligned.




Working on the seat belts now.

[jssel]

Had a pretty good weekend for being on the bench. A little rainy. Main airframe together now. Still working out the issues with the wing root and getting things flaired in well. Pressed on witht he landing gear which you all know will make or break a F-Dub build. You have to get that stance just right.




Anyway, getting it done piece by piece.

[VickersVandal]

Great work on the cockpit detail!
Also, I have to say it is growing on me....slowly. Those wings do look elegant.

[Molly-new]

Very smart, the long wings reminds me of the "Angel of the North" statue in Newcastle.



For those not in UK.

[jssel]

Thanks for sharing that. Prompted me to read up on it. Seems like some did not crave that genre of art.