The Big Question ?

[RICHARD WILLS]

Graham . I will start weathering the FW190 this week and document how to do it without having any special tools or skills . The point of this pair is to try and break down barriers for those that fancy stepping over from ARTF world . Our existing gang really needs this to protect our future . 

To that end I want to keep the thread simple and the build fast and cheap . 

Ive designed and built the 190 in about two months from a standing start and already have most of the Tempest on paper . Equally I have an obligation to make both models as good as I can to be respectful to our lads . So if the Tempest doesnt get under the Christmas tree but arrives in January , it will be for a good reason . 

Both models will take retracts for sure . But I want them to be retrofitted as far as the thread is concerned . It will not be difficult and for those that want to , I will provide all the tricky bits but make it simple . 

However , and this is important . When we all started getting into warbirds , we all had fixed undercarriage or no undercarriage . That meant that the effort of build , balancing and making fly , were all we had to deal with as a first proper scale model . 

Our prospective newbies may already have a warbird with flaps , retracts , panel lines and a cuddly toy and feel that they have to cover the same hurdles in the first attempt . 

No wonder they find it daunting .

Equally the fitting of IC engines will muddy the water . It can be done , of course , but both subjects previously had horrible long , non scale noses to make them balance .

These two , by mounting the battery pack vertical , can comfortably be built with scale noses .

I'm glad you asked the questions , because it is significant . In some ways these models are large , entry level fun fighters . The advantage being, light wing loading so easier launch and landing plus more realistic flying speeds . 

The other thing is , you can buy a TN Fw190 for £250 if you want a "full fat " version or an RBC Tempest for £199 . 

Or you can buy a very slick build kit of one of the above and join the gang above . 

Something for everyone I guess 😄

[gillyg1]

Cheers for the response, i didn't mean for yourself to document/ produce an i/c version of either kit, as you say it's simple quick build  entry level warbird with no complications.

I would make the necessary alterations to fit engine/ retracts.

I really wanted to know if the airframe, firewall would take a i/c fit.

Wrt TN stuff- over priced, not exactly scalish looking enough for me, yes i'm picky, and as you know I like you kits, back up service,, etc 😉

[RICHARD WILLS]

No , I'm glad we could clarify Graham . Later on there will be a special plug in unit to convert to retracts for those that want to . 

The IC conversion means making the nose longer which is not difficult , but will spoil the looks . 

From my point of view , an IC option just makes designing a whole lot harder for the few who want to go down that route . 

I like the long nose 190 , which is more suited to IC but most don't . 

For those that really want to go IC , have a look back in the thread at my original 190 and Tempest . They were both stretched for IC . 

Thats the compromise you have to make . Ballast is the other option . 

Edited October 31, 2023 by RICHARD WILLS

[Roger Bird]

One of each for me please Richard.

[Dave Naylor]

Hi Richard 

I would like Tempest please with decals. 

Dave Naylor 

Kerloch Flyers 

 

 

[Goose is the real hero]

As a long-time purveyor of Richard's kits I can't pass this opportunity up. Put me down for both please Richard.

Rob

[Wihtgar]

Put me down for a tempest please Richard

Nigel

[RICHARD WILLS]

Ive been tidying up the plan and musing on a new company strap line . I was simply going to put designed by Muppets . 

But Chris came up with a better one a few pages back . 

"Designed by Puppets , flown by Muppets "

I am a little concerned by the offence this might cause . I ran this by green Graham and he pointed out that both he and sweep are described on their Equity cards as performing puppets . Although he didnt agree with the category in general (and nor did his friends, Basil Brush and Lamb Chop ) , he had come to accept it over the years.

As far as the humans are concerned . I am honest enough to consider myself a grade one , top drawer muppet . How about you guys ?

A step too far ?

Edited November 1, 2023 by RICHARD WILLS

[RICHARD WILLS]

Ps 

If you're wondering why you haven't seen Graham on TV or at the pictures . Its because, the supreme irony of playing 

a Yeti , is that if you are any good at it ,

you wont be seen . 

(money for old rope Graham reckons ) 

[Piers Bowlan]

Please put me down for a Tempest please Richard.

 

I hope Graham is not sitting around drinking tea too much, there is a Tempest to build!

[Graham Bowers]

29 minutes ago, RICHARD WILLS said:

As far as the humans are concerned . I am honest enough to consider myself a grade one , top drawer muppet . How about you guys ?

I identify as Statler 😉

[Graham Davies 3]

1 hour ago, RICHARD WILLS said:

Although he didnt agree with the category in general (and nor did his friends, Basil Brush and Lamb Chop ) ,

Is it OK to admit to fancying Lamb Chop? No? Thought not. As you were....

[Graham Davies 3]

OK Richard, to show solidarity and to spread the word, put me down for an FW190. I've already got a Tempest...

 

Graham

[martin collins 1]

Airframe count seems to be rising Rapidly, getting ahead of ourselves i know but hoping this leads on to persuade Richard to do an American and Japanese pairing sometime next year.........I would buy 😁

[Lipo Man]

With Yuletide approaching, Mrs Lipo Man has once again asked if I am hoping for some sort of gift this year. Having reviewed the year in detail, I have concluded that I have been an extremely good boy indeed. Put me down for an FW190. Mrs Lipo Man will deal with the necessaries vis a vis payment in due course. I’ll need to choose a colourful scheme for visibility - think I’ll do the one attached. 
👍

 

[RICHARD WILLS]

Interesting that the scores on the doors are exactly even at 17 each .  Tempest v Fw190 

It will probably go to penalties . 😁

[Lipo Man]

15 minutes ago, RICHARD WILLS said:

Interesting that the scores on the doors are exactly even at 17 each .  Tempest v Fw190 

It will probably go to penalties . 😁

And as we all know, Germany will win if it goes to penalties…

[Nick Cripps]

To ensure it goes into extra time, please put me down for both, Richard.

 

I've been quietly watching this and your earlier threads from the shadows and have enjoyed the entertainment so I'll be pleased to join in and help keep the project (and hopefully future ones) going.

[RICHARD WILLS]

Right , now here comes the exciting bit . This is where we elevate the 190 way beyond its ARTF competition . 

We have a "proper " skin , not crocodile skin , so we might as well make the most of it . 

First thing to point out is that my surface finish is pretty rough . Reason is - you wont see it . (I dont do stuff unless its needed , ask my wife 😕) 

In my opinion the next section gives the biggest uplift for the least effort . 

Apart from the silver and the black lines , all the rest could be removed if we cock it up . So you're not risking anything . If you're still not sure , start on the underside . 

If you print off a three view of an Fw190 , you will notice some prominent lines on the tailplane . We don't have to get them dead right , so I just put the lines on with a thin black permanent felt pen . Also , without two much thought I added some little "C" shapes in pairs either side of the joint . You dont have to do them all . In fact skip a few now and then , it looks better . I got a white gel pen from WH Smiths , and lightly skimmed in some more panel lines . The white represents , light catching the edge of a panel or light shining on bare metal on a rivet . In general , it gives a three dimensional impression . 

Edited November 3, 2023 by RICHARD WILLS

[RICHARD WILLS]

The next step requires some black and white chalk and some low tack masking tape and a finger .

The way shadows and different shades appear on any vehicle is due to the angle of the panel and the airflow dragging muck over it . 

So lets create some variation . Lets assume that the leading edge will get a strong clean blast of air , but the panel behind it , after the joint will suck muck down onto it . 

To keep the edge clean , mask it . Then work some of the black chalk (or charcoal )  onto the green tape . 

Next step , get a circular motion going with your finger to create a round black smudge . 

Finally whip off the tape . 

The same technique can be applied in white chalk on the dark painted areas . 

The main thing is create variation , which importantly would not cross panel lines . 

[RICHARD WILLS]

You can go round doing a few more shadows and just little dots to represent tiny rivets . 

[RICHARD WILLS]

[RICHARD WILLS]

The elevators are fabric covered on a 190 . So to keep it simple I use the width of the green tape as my spacer . I then just work my way along with dark shade on one side of the dips between "ribs" (not really there ) , and light shade on the other side . That is how we see a ribbed wing . The sun will light up one side of the valley and the other will be in shadow . 

After doing the white and black shading , I get a silver shaker pen and create a little blob on a piece of paper . You could also dry brush silver paint . 

I dip my finger in and wipe from front to back (like the airflow ) on the leading edges . I also do wing tips and other wear areas . 

 

[RICHARD WILLS]

Now lets make a comparison between the previously considered "finished" tail plane and the weathered one.

Keep in mind that it took way longer to write this up than do it . 

If I was left alone to do it , that would be 30mins work . 

Feel free to ask questions if I didnt explain it . Maybe I should run a course like Rick Stein ?

[RICHARD WILLS]