A triple German Jet Job - part 1, Focke Wolf Ta 183 "Huckebein"

[Whofan]

The Ta 183 was a design that ner got off the drawing board, which seems a pity in a way to me as it looks very good. I don't find the very high tailplanes or the deep body at all ugly, in fact I think it;s one of those designs that "looks right".

 

It would have been intriguing to say the least if this had gone into production during WW2. Here's the plane as finished;

 

 

AsI say, I think it's one of those designs that looks "right".

 

As to the build, let me say that though this is a bit of a "challenging" kit, it can be beaten. It had flash, ill fitting parts, a little warping in the fuselage and tail, and vague instructions.

 

The canopy was probably the best part - the cockpit wasn't.

 

 

The canopy was nice and clear, with well defined frame markings that enabled me to cut my own masks pretty easily.

 

There's a build  WIP I saw somewhere which mentioned the difficulty of fitting parts in the cockpit with no markers, supports, and instructions that are very vague.  I can second that.

 

For the Ta 183 there are copious amounts of filler and superglue in seams and I suspect I could have filled a pillow with the sanding dust from both. And the not necessarily keen eyed among you will no doubt spot the one or two seams that never got completely eliminated.

 

And yet ...... this kit in the end didn't put up a fierce fight, it was a bit tedious doing the fill - sand - paint - fill - sand - paint (repeat) routine, but with some care, plenty of dry fitting and patience it came together pretty easily in the end.

 

I used WIndsor and Newton gloss varnish, and a revell silver rattle can for the NMF. The paint scheme, as the airplane never came off the drawing board, is one I made up. I don't recall seeing many German planes in NMF finish, so I thought we'll give this one an NMF.

 

The paucity of squadron/unit codes, etc., was deliberate, but I did find a while number 17 decal on one of the sheets I pinched decals from, so I thought we'll name this White 17, from KGW 666, "Die Teufel".

 

Here are some more pictures;

 

 

 

 

I think either the cockpit is a bit ske whiff or the tail is, looking at this one!

 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking.

[Dave Klaatu]

Nice again!

I have fond memories of this kit as well, but I had graduated to using an internal dual action airbrush, and started to see the promise of camo with an airbrush.

Cool to see these kits again!