Following my review, here is my build of Airfix’s FW 190A-8, Scale1/72, Ref: A868210.
It is a small and simple kit, so the build and painting process could really be covered in fewer videos. However, because this is a popular kit (especially over the Christmas period when many shops stock them cheaply as stocking fillers) it’s likely to be many people’s first model build. Therefore I wanted to take things a little slower and go through the individual processes, hopefully making it easier for someone new to the hobby to understand the complete process.
I realise that I’m not using the paints provided in the kit, but by using other paints (and an airbrush) it will demonstrate to new modellers that the kit is not the limiting factor! 😉
Part 1: Building the cockpit
The lead wire I used to scratch build the seat harnesses was obtained from eBay – look for “fishing lead wire”. When purchasing it didn’t give the thickness of the wire, but it was so cheap it was worth buying a couple of different gauges – which will be useful in other projects.
Part 2: The Main Build
In this part we carry on from the last part where we finished with the cockpit build and detailed with the two fuselage halves coming together. Now we complete the main build.
Main issues were the fitting of the wing canons. The instructions weren’t clear where the inner guns locate and give the impression they sit more forward than they do. Once I’d worked out where they go and looked at other diagrams it was quite obvious!
The second issues was the wing section not fitting with the fuselage section. I got a little carried away with removing excess plastic and left myself a large filling job – but the result is better than the gaps that would have been created by doing nothing.
Part 3: Correcting my mistakes!
In this part I correct and make a few tweaks, and general prepare the FW-190 for priming and painting. Firstly I re-scribe detail lost lost in the filling and sanding process.
Fortunately the fit of this Airfix kit is very good and little filler was needed, but seems are going to happen with all plastic kits.
I also realised that the I had glued the headrest in the wrong position, as well as removed the gun-sight (which I may have sanded too much when fitting). both my fault.
And just at the last moment I discovered the two canopies in the kit are very slightly different – so one isn’t a spare as I first thought.
I then masked the canopy before painting it, finally getting the FW-190 ready for primer, pre-shading and painting. Make sure you subscribe to see that in the next video.
Part 4: Priming, pre-shading and making a start on the painting
In this part I prime the model with AK Interacting White Micro-filler and primer. In white the panel lines stand out really clearly, and it’s surprising just how much detail there is on what essentially a cheap mass-produced 1/72 scale kit from Airfix.
Once the primer has tried and cure I pre-shade the panel lines using the Nato Black colour in Vallejo’s Model Air range (any black or dark grey will do). I’m hoping that black pre-shading over a white primer will give enough contrast so that the pre-shading isn’t lost when the darker greys and get added and the layers of paint build.
Finally the first later of paint is added, which is the light blue/grey on the underside and sides of the fuselage. This is included in this video because it shows how my painting technique tries to let just the right amount of pre-shading show.
Part 5: Painting, Masking, More Paint and sealing with Pledge Floor Polish for the Clear Coat
In the last part I primed, pre-shading and painted the underside and fuselage, now I paint the camo pattern on the top sides. This uses two shades of Vallejo Model Air, and required masking.
The first layer of masking is done with just modelling tape, the second uses white-tac ‘sausages’ to get a softer edge. I also use the airbrush to add the mottling effect by hand.
I realised that the wavy line down the side of the fuselage had too hard an edge for my liking, so soften it freehand with the airbrush at a low pressure. I then continued with the mottling adding random size patches.
Once the Vallejo paint was left overnight to cure I sealed the paint using Pledge Floor Wax. This creates a layer that will not only protect the paint but will give a good surface to apply the decal, panel lines and weather to (in the next video).
Part 6: Decals, weathering panel wash, oils, final reveal pictures and kit summary
In the last part I protected the Vallejo Paint with a coat of Pledge Floor Polish, creating a solid layer for the final details.
Firstly I applied the decals, using Micro Set and Micro Sol to help the decals bed down and give them a painted on look.
Once the decals were in place I used Humbrol’s Dark Brown Weathering Wash. I had initially planned just to use this for the panel lines but discovered it did a good job of giving the weathering effect I was aiming for so kept using it.
After the panel/weathering wash was dry I added the final details, and this included making a few minor repairs to parts that I had accidentally damaged during the build process.
Finally I used brown oil paint to add additional weathering and dirt to areas that would get a higher level of wear, and tie all the previous weathering together.
Over all I am very pleased with the results, and for small 1/72 scale model there was so very good detail with panel lines and riveting, and these took a wash very well. For a cheap kit I highly recommend it, but the paint included with the kit is fit for the bin!