1/18 FW TA-183 Huckebein?

[pizzaguy]

Finally was able to get the X-4 pylon done for the FW-190. The first few images are unpainted to show some of the detail. Once it is painted it's hard to see. The X-4 is held onto the pylon by two styrene pegs and the pylon is attached to plane with Elmer's glue. That way it can be removed without harming the plane.
I could only find a couple grainy photos of the pylon, so I took a little creative freedom. Hope it's close enough.








Formed another half of a wing. This try turned out much better than the first. Still a couple issues, but I'm learning. Mixed some resin with micro balloons to go around the detail areas. That helped get nice clean detail and edges. There's a learning curve.

[normandy]

That X-4 looks fantastic nice work! Your 183's gonna look bad ass, I can't wait!

[Jnewboy]

Pizza Guy this looks great!!

How much will the kits be with the missles??

How soon do you think you will start producing kits??

[pizzaguy]

At this point this is where I am hoping to keep the prices. If it does increase it won't be much. Pilots will depend on if they are available.

All the kits will come with 4-X4 missiles.

Kit Version #1 Full Kit $200.00 with pilot
Kit Version #2 Minus LG and Engine Detail $185.00 with pilot
Kit Version #3 Minus LG, Engine DTL and Cockpit Painted Canopy $150.00 no pilot

Painted Version #1 Full $295.00 with pilot
Painted Version #2 Minus LG and Engine Detail $275.00 with pilot
Painted Version #3 Minus LG, Engine DTL and static Cockpit Painted Canopy $250.00 no pilot

I still have the second half of the fuse to mold. I'm getting better at laying up the fiberglass parts. Typical Illinois weather, it's getting down to 34 tonight. Garage is around 60. It needs to be 70 before I can fiberglass. No way I'm turning on the heat. Next week is supposed to be in the upper 70's, so I will probably get some more done.
Spent middle of this week at Fort Lenard Wood watching my niece graduate from the Army.
Jay has refined the front landing gear and is doing an amazing job. Thank You!!

I am still hoping to have these available by the end of summer at the latest fall. Really depends on work and personal time. Jay's work on the landing gear is saving a ton of time. Will keep you posted.

[pickelhaube]

Do you have a paint scheme picked out yet or is there too much on the plate to worry about that now ?

[pizzaguy]

I have not locked into any particular scheme. I'm open to suggestions.

I kind of like this.
JG 71 Hartmann's tulip

[cnq]

Does the full kit "Kit Version #1 Full Kit $200.00 with pilot " come with decals i.e. crosses, swastika ....etc....

[pizzaguy]

I had planned to supply vinyl stencils for the markings. For the artwork images I can either laser print them on water slide decal paper or have them printed on vinyl. The text will have to be water slide. The vinyl cutter would chew up the vinyl trying to cut text that small. I am not sure if Jackson is still making decals?? Having Jackson print them will increase the cost some. Last I read his ALPS printer was on it's last leg.

I have used the laser decals on my MD-3 Tractor and have been happy with the results. Only draw back is I can't print white text. I used Micro sol and Set with a flat clear to seal on the tractor.

[normandy]

Re: paint schemes, I like that tulip scheme.

There are plenty of options




This ones cool...

[tmanthegreat]

I like the "tulip" scheme as well. The photo of the model with the checkered nose looks neat as well and reminds me of the 1:48 scale HobbyMaster FW-190 model I have of Heinz Gunther Luck's FW-190A.

IMHO, for the TA-183, well at least the first run, it needs to be something that is standard-looking for the late-war period, but perhaps has a little flavor. (One reason I really like the paintjob Pickelhaube did for his built HO-229 model). I'm not as big of a fan of the "Mediterranean" type schemes for these "Luft 46" type aircraft... The Germans had long-since been evicted from North Africa and had the war continued long enough for TA-183s and HO-229s to be used, the Germans would have been engaged on the eastern and western fronts, pretty much within Germany and northern Europe, going likely no further south than the Alpine provinces of northern Italy. Tan paint schemes would not have done as much good in a Northern European/Alpine setting, especially when aircraft needed to be hidden in trees

[pickelhaube]

I am going to commit to a full build a buddy of mine ( he purchased the molds for my Ho-229 project ) want 2 of them as well.

Are you ready to accept payments ?

[pizzaguy]

I really don't feel comfortable accepting any payments till I get one built for everyone to see. I would hate to get everyone's money then have something catastrophic go wrong. Having over a $1000 into the project, I'm not giving up.

I hope the time frame doesn't make anyone lose interest.

[normandy]

I think most of us understand what is involved in producing something that doesn't exist.
Production of custom projects takes time and I for one will not lose interest! I get a kick out
watching the timeline of production, from concept to final build.
I applaud your choise of subject, your talent and your commitment! When you feel the time
is right for accepting payment, let us know.

Normandy.

[pizzaguy]

Got my honey do list done over the weekend and had Monday to work on the 183. I used Duratex primer and reduced the vacuum on the pump and what do you know we have half of a wing boys. All of the panel lines came out and the edges are nice and sharp. I will try and lay up the other half this afternoon.

Got the other half of the fuselage molded. In a couple days once the resin has cured the two halves can be separated. Hopefully there won't be to much damaged to the original.

It's starting to come together.

[pizzaguy]

Little update. Good news the fuselage mold is done. Bad news the original didn't make it. With care the molds should last for a long time.
Got the second half of the wing in the vacuum now. I plan on placing a couple ribs in the wings to hold the tubing to attach to the fuselage. Then both halves will be glued together. I plan on doing that with all the kits. It will be easier to align the parts.

[normandy]

Great news on the fuselage, this project is moving along nicely.

[pizzaguy]

I've made some progress in the past couple weeks. Left and Right wings have been molded, fused together and primed. There were a couple small voids that needed filling, but for the most part they were clean.
I got the first half of the fuselage molded yesterday. Very happy with the results. Nice clean edges and panel lines. The canopy frame came out in resin. Better than I expected. I have the vacuum box made and I just need to pick up some clear acrylic to form the glass. I also received the front landing gear from Shapeways and the rear gear is on it's way. HUGE THANK YOU to Jay for getting those done. I'll get you taken care of.
My plan is to lay up the other half of the fuselage this afternoon. From there it's getting all the internal parts made and cast. Intake, cockpit, engine compartment, bay door details and exhaust. I apologize for the delay. Work and personal stuff keep creeping in. I took vacation this week to make some progress. I'll post some more in a while.

[pickelhaube]

Looking very nice.

[normandy]

Oh man this going to be sweet!
Fantastic job Pizzaguy, the detail looks crisp and clean.

[YT]

Looking great Nathan!

[tmanthegreat]

Looking fantastic so far

I'm excited to see the final product - and hopefully be able to get one

[pizzaguy]

Thank you, Guys.

Matthew, what thickness would you recommend for vacuum forming the clear canopy?

[pickelhaube]

Thank you, Guys.

Matthew, what thickness would you recommend for vacuum forming the clear canopy?

Unfortunately I do not know the gauge. I get the second thinnest my hobby shop offers. I can send you a piece of what I use if you want .

Send me your address I am going to the post office in the morning.

[pizzaguy]

Quick test of the Canopy. Don't hold me on the details. I wanted to check how everything went together. I got the canopy glass vacuum formed. All the detail and imperfections were picked up. I thought got the plug super smooth. Nope. Some more sanding and another test. The clear plastic reinforces the canopy frame very nice.






Intake and Exhaust coming around. Thank you out to Matthew for the parts. I wanted to add a little detail to the intake instead of flat black nothingness. The intake fins are deep in the aircraft, so I shortened the cone to get it back further in the intake.



We need to nail down a paint scheme. This weekend I am going to get another fuselage fiberglassed and a 1st stage model completed. That's going to included a blacked out canopy, Intake, Exhaust and (4) X4 Rockets. (No cockpit, LG, Pilot or Engine compartment.)
I like Normandy's suggestion:

[Jnewboy]

Amazing work my friend! I cant wait till this is all done and you are taking orders!! I also like that camo scheme the most even though I will just be buying the full kits.