GWH FW189 A1 Special Operations Skis

[Deleted]

A short while ago DickyF was kind enough to send me a review kit of the FW189 A1 Focke Wulf with Special Operations Skis.

The kit was very generously supplied to MSC by site sponsor
The Airbrush Company.

The kit is a stunning piece of engineering and although it is from Great Wall Hobby (now GWH) it shows very close design similarities to Dragon kits.

This is the third issue of the kit, previously a wheeled version and night-fighter have graced the shops.

With this in mind and the fact that you can find numerous standard format reviews on the net, I propose to build this in the full spirit of MSC. i.e... what you want, when you want, how you want, having fun all the way!

Like many modelers, I rarely follow the build steps to the letter, who want to add an aerial went you've not fitted the wings eh? This will be no different, I'll build it as I would as if it was my hard earned money that had bought it and I'll be honest all the way.
I hope you enjoy the build.

So, no point doubling up on what Dicky has already done so well , you'll find box art and sprue shots here: modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=reviews&action=display&thread=1816

Next post with some pics up soon.

[Deleted]

Right then, build starts as normal with the Cockpit, henceforth to be known as the office


First real job is to assemble the camera


and frame


these go, together with the seat frame


onto the the office floor


First job is to clean up a small moulding mark on the parts, nothing major, just to tidy the build


right off to get stuck in with the Plasticweld ;D

not that there's much here yet ;D but , ACW

[Deleted]

Thanks MrD, I'll do my best with her

Thanks for sorting the link and thread . you're a gent

[Deleted]

Have fun with this Steve ;D....I got in early,to get a seat in the front,otherwise I won't see nowt!!!!

[Deleted]

Welcome Chris, plenty of popcorn here

Nemo says I've gotta build her in one piece.. spoil-sport ;D

[Deleted]

LOL!!! Yeh....but landing on snow can be dangerous,eh? ;D

[TRM]

I'm in!!! Some nice detail to this Steve!!! Have fun with it!!!

[robbo]

Yay it's off and running, with you all the way Steve

[WigWag Workshop]

This looks like a fun build... Well aren't the all LOL - I am along for the ride, on this one. I really like the look of this model.

-Steven

[Deleted]

MrT, Robbo and Steven...Welcome along guys and thanks for your support

right then, I'm waiting for the office floor to dry off before I take a few photo's but I thought I'd show you the ejector pin marks that I'm coming across.
They are in both cockpit sidewalls


and on the pilot seat


I'm no too bothered about the sidewalls, I'll remove the flash around them and they will be invisible when it's sealed up. But why place them on the face of the seat when you can't see the back?
Still, nothing Tipex and a quick rub with Micromesh won't sort

The Boss sorry loving wife is out tonight so I'm going to spend 6 glorious hours at the bench
Work has been in the way for a good few weeks now so it'll make a real nice change.. I love the smell of Plasticweld in the evening ;D
Post more up tomorrow.

[Deleted]

Steve...Have to say,I can't remember seeing epm's like that on my kit....I'll have another look!!!!

[modelfreak72]

Hey Steve! I got my pen and paper out to starting notes for when I go to build mine! This could put a monkey wrench into the whole self queen thing I got going on! ;)LOL!

[bbd468]

Steve, that seems a pretty sweet kit and the aircraft type itself looks cool as heck! ME LIKES!!!

Gary

[Deleted]

Time for another update and this one's a bit of a saga

Important things first though,

Dicky, yep they are EPM's can't make mine as big as yours but you get the point

ChrisB, have a look buddy, they'll be there, but as I say, they wont cause you too much bother

MF72, welcome aboard! Go for it, the kit is going together well, EPM's aside ... we could do a mini GB

Gary, it's a cool looking bird I agree, glad to have you along

ChrisS , yeah.. I've heard that the Dev' is a nice kit. Hope you tag along for the rest, it gets better! ;D


photobucket is slow so I'll post the update shortly!

[wouter]

strange, I thought I responded allready, but it seems not...so here goes...I'm in for this one bro! ;D

Looking like a nice kit indeed, but those ejector pin marks are quite crazy indeed, wow, would be a turn off for me :-O

Looking forward for more mate ;D

Cheers

[406 Silverado]

oh you've started this already, guess I am just in time eh. Nice start on the office. Too bad about the pin marks, easy fix tho. I had the same issue with my Tiger and opted not to use the entire interior for this reason, and many of the exterior parts too. Things like this when found on every part can turn off a modeler and kill the mojo for sure.

Still, looking forward to seeing what you do with this one Steve.

[Deleted]

here we are then, I said saga... so what happened was this..
my Missus went out the other night and left me in charge , NEVER a good idea!

I built up the cockpit and took some real nice pics, then I used the AB to give it all a coat of RLM66 Black-Grey and took more pics. Then I assembled the two cockpit halves and took some more pics... all going to plan you'd think?

It was, until I took the memory card out of my camera to upload the pics to my PC.
I put the card on the arm of the chair, turned on the PC and went to make a cuppa.
When I came back the card was GONE
I stood in stunned silence... then I heard the CRUNCHING noise emanating from here...


So no photos of that bit I'm afraid... not a great start to my new career as a reviewer eh? I'm really sorry guys... she's only 17 weeks old and I should have known better

Here's what you've missed


The seats, frame and other ancillary parts all fix to the office floor, there were no problems at all here. I opted to leave off some of the items, such as the control column, that could be damaged during subsequent stages, so long as I have access to fit them latter.

The cockpit side walls are in two parts each side, this is a clever idea that allows the curvature to be accurately depicted. I removed the flash from around the EPM's and painted everything RLM.
There are various black boxes to be fitted next which I picked out in a coal black just to make them different from the RLM66 side walls.

Then, the sidewalls, floor assembly, with seat, is assembled into a 'tub' that is then fixed to the central lower wing, like this:

All this is surprisingly easy and the kits engineering is first class.

Here's a couple of pics of the office as it is now, 60% complete




You can see that I've started to wear and weather the floor , belts and seat. I'll do a bit more yet as this thing is full of glazing

AWC , including what a knob I am for leaving the card out as a tasty snack for my (fairly) new puppy

[Deleted]

Crossed posts there,

Hiya Wouter, always pleased to have you along, pressures on me now though, your '109 is stunning matey

MrS, Saved a seat at the front for you Boss, you're more than welcome

[Deleted]

Thanks MrD, it's going together well, some pastels to add yet but it's getting there... and...Yep , she's so fired ;D

[deafpanzer]

Excellent work on the interior!!! Love your puppy... hope she doesn't go anywhere close to your kits!!!

[Deleted]

Next installment,
Decided to build up the tail unit stabilizer


this lot went together with no problems at all, there's some nice detail for the wheel well too


Next, onto the engines, there are two of these and they are identical, to save boring you twice, I'll only show pics of one
Instructions are clear but no build sequence is given. They are so simply though you don't really need one


parts are nicely moulded



apart from one side of the engine bearers, both (identical sprues) are short moulded in the same place meaning you have to be real careful cutting them off the sprue as they do their best to snap


there's also PE for the spark plug loom... I hate this stuff but I gave it a go


So, builds up like this;
tow halves together, no problem


Supports go on again with no issues at all, as do the exhausts.
PE loom however gave me a real fight.. lots of words muttered here Some of the wires seem a shade too short to reach as indicated but I think that's down to me not being very good with this stuff . I think it will good under paint though?


Well, that's it for now. Going to keep at the bench a bit longer tonight so more pics tomorrow

ACW as always

[Deleted]

Andy, Sorry buddy, missed your post there, yep she's cute but she has been put on this earth to destroy!

MrD, I struggle with PE and the smaller the part, the bigger the fight ;D. But I think it will look ok

ChrisS, thank you sir! Yes, it's kept in a box up on the wardrobe... The kit that is, not the puppy.... although......

[bullardino]

The engine and the office look great steve

Do you plan to put it on a dio?

[robbo]

Nice work Steve. It does look a great kit mate

[Deleted]

Luigi - thanks for the kind words , more a base than a dio, snow can be tricky but I'll give it a go

Robbo - cheers Buddy, yes it's going together well, some small issues but nothing to worry about

[406 Silverado]

oooo very nice update. coming along nicely Steve.
And I've been there my friend, two puppies who loved to chew on things. There grown and still love plastic model parts...LOL

[Deleted]

thanks Boss Two puppies respect yep I have to race her across the floor when a part shoots off the sprue, still keeps me fit


Wouter, just noticed that you posted!, sorry missed it altogether! Thanks for the support Buddy

[venom1]

Ooo, ooo, Steve's building a wingy-thing! EVERYBODY! QUICK, COME LOOK! STEVE'S BUILDING ANOTHER WINGY-THING!! ;D ;D

(Pulls up chair, puts feet on desk, starts shovelling popcorn into big mouth)

Yeah baby..... s'what I'm talkin' 'bout. BRINGITT!! ;D

Cheers,

Sam

[bullardino]

Steve, I forgot to mention that if you need documentation, I should have the Squadron In action abt the 189...

[Deleted]

Evening chaps and chapesses,

Sam, thanks buddy.. building this one as a blog/review so no wrecking here ... stay tuned though I'm planning another wrecked bird

Luigi , thank you Sir.. I do need a couple of reference pics as it happens, I'll PM you when I get to paint

Next post.. update! yes honest.. ;D