forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
Modelers Lounge => The World of Scale Models => Topic started by: Brad Cancian on April 26, 2026, 06:00:19 PM
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Hello everyone! After the slog of my recent 1/72 Airfix Hurricane I decided on a speedy and (hopefully) simple build. I've lept straight in after finishing the Hurricane in order to keep my overall building momentum going.
I've selected the 1/72 Tamiya Focke Wulf Fw190A-3 out of the stash. This kit was released back in 2001 (a quarter of a century ago... yikes!), but packs some excellent detail for its scale and age.
I started with the parts I both love and loathe the most, namely the cockpit (love), wheel wells / wheels (loathe), and engine / prope (loathe). By doing these bits first, they are then done and dusted and I can keep momentum going once the major construction occurs. In the spirit of the build, it's all out of box, save for some seat belts added from pieces of tape. Here's some pics:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55231298815_bfba26cb3c_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55231042553_c6b26dea78_c.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55230888346_19b462ac6c_b.jpg)
Happy enough with how these little bits and bobs turned out to not worry so much about the little mistakes... the mojo is now flowing :)
Thanks for looking!
Brad C
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Excellent start Brad and a great choice of subject. Looking forward to seeing this one shape up
Paul
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She is looking the part , shaping up very well indeed !
Alexis
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Ah a simple build. How we all yearn for those..... You've made a very nice start, let's hope you can keep it simple!
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Thanks Paul, Alexis, Nigel!
Indeed this one is going fairly speedily... a quick iPhone snap of the progress in the last few days. The fit has been great, no filler needed at all. Loving these early 2000s Tamiya kits! Looks like i'll be up to priming rather quickly this time around! :o
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55240028573_5eb1e57924_b.jpg)
Cheers!
BC
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Moving a long nicely Brad .
Alexis
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Thanks Alexis!
Well, it's now primed. Been a very long time since I've gone from starting a model to it being primed and ready for paint in about a week...! Still some minor clean ups needed but nothing too serious.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55242081520_85243beff2_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55240777342_0f7fb180e1_b.jpg)
Now to settle on a paint scheme... happy to take suggestions!
Cheers,
Brad C
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That does seem like a simple build, but still looking very nice despite the speed and ease of assembly!
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A productive day or two over the weekend has seen her now with some colour applied. All paints are SMS colours.
I free-handed all of the camouflage... this was not exactly fun, despite my best efforts with my 25 year old Paasche VL, the mottling hasn't really turned out as I would have liked. I don't know how you Luftwaffe guys do it! Ah well, good enough for a quick build, none the less!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55247962710_13f6f3ab40_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55247796454_3c17f96c10_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55247559626_d6235bd7b1_b.jpg)
The canopy also came out alright too - this is my most feared part of these kinds of builds... phew!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55246657767_3fa703b969_c.jpg)
Cheers,
BC
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Very productive, looking great :)
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Looking great (Wish I could manage airbrushing like that)
Canopies are the one area that puts me off more modern aircraft - so visible and really easy to mess up in a whole range of different ways. That said I was looking at my Dad's old 1/48 Matchbox FW190 that has been sitting on the shelf for many years now . . . .
Paul
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I've been enjoying watching along with this one Brad. There's something about radial 190s that just gets me going! And I'd be pretty chuffed with that camo, nice work.
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She still seems to be going quite quickly and is still looking very nice. I hate masking and like Paul I find canopies the most off-putting part of modern aircraft, so well done for getting a nice result here.
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Simply excellent! A Tamiya build is always a joy.
Steve
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Your camo looks fine to me Brad , well done !
Alexis
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Coming along nicely, Brad. Such great work in a tiny space.
Cheers,
Gary
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Thank you all!
Progress continues - clear gloss and decals are on. I wanted to do one of the options that came in the box but the white in the 2002 era decals were now a cream colour, and the Tamiya decals were quite thick. So I ended up using crosses from the spares box, and some decals from the AML decal sheet (of which I had only part of) to model the machine flown by Oblt. Erich Rudorffer, CO of 6.JG/2, France, August 1942. He scored an epic 224 kills and survived the war, so quite the ace!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55266129887_da49e4cee5_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55267271194_80021bd6f8_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55267432510_05930b82c6_b.jpg)
Next, another clear coat and I'll start the fading and weathering. Might be a delay in the next update as I am going away for a week or so.
Coming together well, me thinks!
Cheers for looking!
BC
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Looks good with the markings on! Quick question - what is your process for panel lining? It's subtle but very effective.
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Thanks Nigel! Nothing special here, I haven't done anything with the panel lines as yet. I will eventually give them a burnt umber oil wash.
Today I spent an hour or two doing some oil fading and panel tonal variations. Need to let it dry for a bit. Good thing that i'll be away for the next week or so; plenty of time for those oils to dry!
Cheers again,
Brad C
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Lovely work Brad! The Mottle always looks better when pulled together by Markings, IMHO. I found that I liked My results with the Iwata eclipse and other good Airbrushes but wanted More! I went for an H&S Evolution 2024 which is much better. That being said I plan to get a Micron soon 8) You acheived great results with the Paasche gun!
RAGIII
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Thanks Rick! I feel like I am so wedded to my Paasche that I am too scared to try something different. I have heard lots about Iwata and the H&S brushes... now to save some money, them brushes ain't cheap...!
In terms of updates, i've come back from being away - the shading I did with oils has dried nicely while I was away. I've now done some chipping, some exhaust staining with pastels, an oil panel line wash, and a flat coat. I think she's now looking suitably 'grimy' - used but not so abused as to look like a tank (i've never understood why some modellers want their aircraft to look like they've flown through a mud storm... ah well...)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55287905751_afff93f42d_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55286988537_5f4853b408_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55286988527_a6437f745c_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55288051808_9e4bc2eb3c_b.jpg)
Keen to take feedback on the weathering - too much, too little...? You tell me! :)
Next, undercarriage fitment, then onto the home stretch...!
Cheers!
Brad C
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I think the weathering looks great, especially in his scale.
I think she's now looking suitably 'grimy' - used but not so abused as to look like a tank (i've never understood why some modellers want their aircraft to look like they've flown through a mud storm... ah well...)
Don't get me started! I am a historical modeller and rivet counter, so the "artistic" school of expressing yourself through weathering is not for me. But each to their own.
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The wash looks great Brad. I really like the exhaust on the underside, like you said, used not abused!
RAGIII
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Nice work Brad , looking fab !
Alexis
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Hi all - she be done! Third completion for the year.... woo!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55300632701_c4ab997f85_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55300875639_b1247bb94e_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55299729082_40d8e06688_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55301045175_5e380c45c9_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55300875634_dece1804df_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55301045170_1d1932bb3a_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55299729062_982b35c20d_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55301045165_ebbe72c7a1_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55299729037_dfebc32d82_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55300875559_5005e88281_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55300789063_c5d0e754d1_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55300632641_50a7694e25_c.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55299729017_8562aa6b59_b.jpg)
This one was a smooth a build as they generally come for me - about five weeks from start to finish which is also speedy in consideration of my recent building rate. I certainly appreciate the kind words along the way!
Cheers!
BC
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Lovely job all round, great finish and weathering and very nice presentation. Great result and a quick build, what's not to like!
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Beautifully built,finished,and displayed Brad! I love it!
RAGIII
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I'm way behind. Great build, paint and weathering and a nice display. It must have been a very satisfying project.
Steve
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I'm a late arrival as well but this is a terrific finish Brad. A superb effort that belies it's small scale and your weathering is spot on. I particularly like your "pedestal" style base and the planking really sets off the model nicely.
Cheers,
Lance
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Simply superb!!!! I love the weathering, fading, etc you've done here.
Warren D
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Thanks all for your kind words, I am humbled as always! :)
Cheers
Brad C