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Fw 190D-9 Part 1

INTRODUCTION
After I posted forum pictures on Aeroscale, of my very old RevellUSA kit of the 1:32nd scale FW 190 D-9 Dora, I received a Personal Message (PM in future) from Aeroscale's Managing Editor "Merlin", Rowan Baylis. He asked if I would be willing to do an article on how I built that old kit. I had taken a lot of pictures of the model during the various stages of building this repop by Revell. So I could post pictures of the construction. And the age of the kit? According to John Burns' Volume 7 book from Kit Collector's Clearinghouse, that kit was originally released in 1973.
WHAT IS WRITTEN HERE IS JUST MY OPINION
I feel I need to make it clear here, that all of the text below is just my opinion, and the points expressed are my feelings now, and are based on a pespective of a modeler nearing 70 years of age. There are a lot of younger more highly skilled modelers than I, out there. And some who will disagree with my views, and with some of my conclusions, and that is OK. We can agree to disagree! Some may take the time, via the Aeroscale forum, to point out errors in my text or in my thinking, or in my modeling ideas and practices. And I welcome this kind of reply... as long as we express our opinions with good manners. I realized some years ago, at least for me, that it isn't necessary to place myself in a confrontational situation. I no longer use the term, "You are wrong". I don't feel that shows proper respect for a person. So I say "I disagree" instead of "You are wrong". I think that point is worthy of consideration, especially, on a web site where we write our thoughts, instead of being face to face with the individual. Writing with an opposing view does not require near the courage that standing toe to toe and eyeball to eyeball - with a person who disagrees - would call for.
THE OLD REVELL KIT? DUDE... WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?
So, right off the bat, you may be asking, why didn't you build the newer 1:32nd Hasegawa FW 190 D-9 Dora? It is a much better kit! And I certainly see that as a normal question to ask. And the answer is simply that I completed this model before the news of a new FW190 D-9 Dora in 1:32nd by Hasegawa was even announced. Lucky me. At least I finished it before the new and improved Dora hit the hobby stores.

Well, considering how old the Revell kit is and that I was asked to write an article, I contemplated what would I be able to say of interest to aircraft modelers, who are building aircraft models of the current kits available today? Technologically speaking, there have been tremendous advances in our hobby. For one, the fit of the parts is a lot better. Most all kits in the 21st century offer recessed panel lines and rivet detail that is so much more realistic. Many come with Resin and Photo Etched parts (PE in future) right in the kit. And there are all those resin sets available from aftermarket companies for upgrading your model or for various conversions. So kewl, Cartman! Is this the golden age of modeling or what?

So, I gave the Managing Editor of Aeroscale, Rowan Baylis's offer a lot of thought. I realized that perhaps, since I'd been building aircraft models since the middle 1960s that hopefully, I could perhaps offer some insight that modelers might find of value and find useful. (Photos 1-A shows the completed model on its mirrored base, as it would be presented on the contest table. Photo1-B shows the Revell repop kit boxart along with an opened photo album with Work In Progress (WIP in future) pictures for the contest attendees and judges to peruse. At a contest, I would sit this photo essay album next to the model on the contest category table. More about my reasoning for displaying WIP photos instead of writing it all out on the entry form, much later in the series.
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About the Author

About Rick Brownlee (MiamiJHawk)
FROM: KANSAS, UNITED STATES

I am primarily a figure painter and have been painting figures about 3 years now; still consider myself a novice. However, I started building models in 1965 and as a retired newspaper artist, I now have time to build models all the time, just for the fun of it and as a way to express my creative inn...


Comments

Hi Rudi and Rowan: @Rudi: Thanks for the kind remarks, my friend. Most appreciated. Hope you had a chance to look at Steve's fine article on the Eduard boxing of the Fok. DVII's. Very comprehensive and informative, plus great pictures as well. @Rowan: Sorry I haven't replied to your most welcomed email, Rowan. Been real sick since last Thurs. and still quite weak. But I wanted to let you know how pleased I am with the way you used the pictures and the way you did the article layout. Part II is almost completed, only one more colored pencil sketch to do and it will be on the way. Again, thank you. Miami Jayhawk
OCT 01, 2006 - 04:47 PM
Hi Rick! Thanks for writing a feature about such an interesting build! I can't wait to see part 2! And take care of yourself... Jean-Luc
OCT 01, 2006 - 05:02 PM
Hello Jean-Luc: It was so nice to read your remarks. And thanks for taking time to do so. And let me take this opportunity to say thank you to you as well, Jean-Luc for all the time you donate to Aeroscale as Associate Editor. I've enjoyed and appreciated your posts and your reviews, articles. As model builders, we are fortunate to have people like Rowan and you working hard to make this site a place of solid and yet interesting information.
OCT 02, 2006 - 06:46 PM
Hi Rick Sorry to read that you've been unwell - I really hope you're back on the way to feeling 100% again. Editing your article was both a delight and highly instructive - it's packed with good-sense advice for modellers at every level and it certainly had me re-evaluating my own outlook! I can't wait to see the future installments - that sort of weathered paint-job is something I really want to read more about... All the best Rowan
OCT 02, 2006 - 07:37 PM
Thanks Rowan for your response. Most appreciated, my friend. A word about the fact that I painted and weathered this model in such extreme measures: From reading and from research, I knew that the Fw 190 D-9 near the end of the war, in many cases, was pressed into service, flying many combat missions, out in the open on the ground and susceptible to weather conditions etc. with no time for air crews to do anything other than fill the fuel tanks and re-arm the weapons. . . and get the aircraft back in the air. Many war time photos show this point to be true. And since I wanted to learn how to show extreme fading and weathering of paint, I jumped into this problem with both "small sized number 7" . . . feet. Now, whether this experiment about weathering was successful or not? Well. . . I suggest you read the other parts of the article. I'll go into detail about spraying on my own aircraft markings with hand made templates, instead of using decals, in the future parts of the article.
OCT 04, 2006 - 12:59 AM
Greetings Rick and all; While I love a good challenge I have to doff my chapuea to the common sense attitude of the author, Rick Brownlee. I tend to go for detail but nothing repeat nothing beats basics, basics, basics. The most basic tenant of modeling is having fun. No matter what it is just a hobby and a model is just a model. There are well built highly detail builds but as Rick tells us we all started somewhere. In a recent experience on a another general modeling website I have seen almost a coyote pack mentality. Here the average modeler gets a chance to grow like a local modeling club. Everyone is encouraged to participate and learn something. Thanks Rick. Model On!
OCT 04, 2006 - 05:49 AM
Greetings Jack Flash: Hello Steve. I sincerely appreciate your comments about my article on building the old Revell 1:32nd FW 190 D. It was gratifying to me that, although you're a highly skilled modeler of much experience, you still found something of interest to you in what I am writing. The thrust and style of my "musings" is more aimed toward the beginners, but I was hoping there might be something of value in the Part One, to modelers at all experience levels. Thanks again! The encouragement will help me to work with even more enthusiasm, on the other parts of the article.
OCT 04, 2006 - 05:10 PM
I have to say that this is probably the best article Ive seen since I joined Aeroscale. Congratulations on a fine piece of work Rick.Looking forward to the next instalment and get well soon. Nige
OCT 04, 2006 - 09:31 PM
"Outstanding" is a word that comes to mind reading the article...... But, on the other hand, that is something that I have grown accustomed to reading articles and seeing the finished projects on these forums... Keep it up lads!SmileyCentral.com
OCT 04, 2006 - 09:43 PM
To Nigel Julian and Jan Bojarp: @Nigel: I really appreciate your most gracious remarks, Nigel. Most gratifying considering the amount of work in preparing a series like this. My first try at more than a "one part article". Thanks again. @Jan, a.k.a. Lucky 13: Oh my Jan, I guess a week from today (Friday) you'll be in "thirteen-ers heaven"? Eh? Thanks for taking the time to respond, in such a positive way. As you know, most of us only comment when there is something wrong. We kind of become the "silent majority" when it is something we like. And you're right! The Big A is a great site and demonstrates so emphatically the benefits of "effective communication".
OCT 05, 2006 - 03:57 PM