blog:military:models_fw_ta_152 [Target-Earth]

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====== Revell 1/72 Focke Wulf Ta 152 H ======

<WRAP box round half>
  * Manufacturer: Revell
  * Series: [[:blog:models:military:index|Military models]]
  * Part number: 04166
  * Year of production: A rebox and reissue of an old 1980s 'Frog' model kit
  * Scale: 1/72
  * Kit type: Fixed posed aircraft
  * Vehicle: (late WW2 era) German high altitude interceptor
  * Purchase date: August 2024 (https://www.northeastmodelcentre.co.uk)
  * Build date: 2024
</WRAP>

<imgcaption box|Typical Revell box for low-end kits.>{{:blog:models:img20240809143441.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption>

My daughters and I bought this kit in early August 2024 to build together as one of their first model kits; youngest picked this one, and her elder sister picked an [[:blog:military:models_me_262|Me262]]. 

The build was pretty straight forward, and it is a very simple kit - based on a rather old model. Some help was given with the fit and glue of the more complicated pieces, as well as those requiring constant pressure whilst setting.

It wasn't too bad, fit wise, but there are few bits and pieces that leave small gaps - where the wings join the main body, and around the edge of the engine cowling (which itself is rather poor design). I also made up some replacement pistons for the landing gear from brass rod as a means to reinforce the landing gear itself. The cockpit is ludicrously simple and may even be better covered up by a tinted canopy! Add to that there is virtually no visible panel lines on the body or wings.

Still, we had fun.

I intend to do most of the painting (via airbrush) for her, and we'll do the detailing and transfers together.

This is a //very// simple model, as the instructions only have //9// steps:

<imgcaption manual_a|Instruction manual.>{{:blog:models:img20240809143459.jpg?525|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption manual_b|Instruction manual.>{{:blog:models:img20240809143512.jpg?300|}}</imgcaption>

There's a sheet of (actually quite nice) waterslide decals included:

<imgcaption decals|Waterslide decals.>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250423162505.jpg?300|}}</imgcaption>

Because of this, I don't intend to provide a box contents breakdown or step-by-step build diary for this kit!

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==== Paints ====

^ Section                          ^ Recommended Colour  ^ Selected Colour                       ^ Notes  ^
| Upper hull main colour           |                     | AK Interactive 3rd Gen Acrylic RLM81  |        |
| Upper hull dark colour           |                     | AK Interactive 3rd Gen Acrylic RLM82  |        |
| Nose                             |                     | AK Interactive 3rd Gen Acrylic RLM83  |        |
| Lower hull & sides light colour  |                     | AK Interactive 3rd Gen Acrylic RLM76  |        |

In addition, the following items (weathering, panel lines):

   * AK Interactive Streaking Grime
   * AK Interactive Winter Streaking Grime
   * AK Interactive Rust Streaks
   * Mig AMMO Dark Green Grey Panel Line Wash
   * Tamiya Weathering Pastel (Soot)
==== In Progress Images ====

**[Build started in 2024]**

<imgcaption diary_1|Basic out-of-box build.>{{:blog:models:img20240809152347.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption diary_2|Primed in a medium-grey colour.>{{:blog:models:img20240810143056.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption>

**[Started painting in April 2025]**

Preshading:

<imgcaption diary_3|Preshading fuselage.>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250424210726.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption diary_4|Preshading underside of wings and fuselage.>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250424210736.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption>

Underside/sides painted

<imgcaption diary_4|Underside and fuselage painted in RLM76.>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250425101249.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption>

Main dark green colour added. Masking went okay, then removed tape to blend it in to the lighter colour... not the best job; quite a bit of overspray. In hindsight I forgot to turn down the air pressure after painting the large flat areas, leading to the speckling and overspray:

<imgcaption diary_5|Black green 71.018.>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250425114611.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption>

Added RLM81 and RLM83 patterns to wings and 'dots' on fuselage. This time reducing air pressure to minimise overspray. Worked much better:

<imgcaption diary_6|>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250425124322.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption diary_7|>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250425124347.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption diary_8|>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250425130837.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption>

Gloss varnish before adding decals:

<imgcaption diary_9|>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250425142333.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption>

Waterslide decals. Most of these went on okay, but the large yellow/red bands just ahead of the tail (as shown on the box artwork) I just //could not// get to lay flat - it's too big of a decal and the shape has too many curves for it to lay flat. That was with plenty of Mr Mark Softer, too. I plan to mask those sections and brush paint the coloured markings instead:

<imgcaption diary_10|>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250425161124.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption diary_11|>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250425161135.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption diary_12|>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250425161157.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption>

Cockpit masked up again ready for a coat of satin varnish to apply panel lines and weathering effects:

<imgcaption diary_13|>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250425190438.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption>

Underside of completed model:

<imgcaption diary_14|Panel wash and streaking effects.>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250426101757.jpg?400|}}</imgcaption>

==== Finished Images ====

Completed. Photos taken on a temporary diorama base - this will be replaced by a small grass/concrete display base at a later date:

<imgcaption diary_15|Completed Ta 152H on display base.>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250426101718.jpg?600|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption diary_16|Completed Ta 152H on display base.>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250426101737.jpg?600|}}</imgcaption> 

<imgcaption diary_17|Completed Ta 152H on display base.>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img20250426101833.jpg?600|}}</imgcaption>

There's not a lot to work with on this kit - the details are not very pronounced and there is actually more on the underside than the upper surface. I also messed up the spot camo on the fuselage by running the air pressure too high when attempting to feather in the dark green on the top of the fuselage, leading to a lot of overspray and spatter. The decals and the weathering have made it not quite so obvious to the casual observer, but it's still not great when you stop and look.

<imgcaption diary_18|Completed Ta 152H from above.>{{:blog:models:revell_fw_152:img_6158.jpg?800|}}</imgcaption>

Still, it turned out reasonable for a (very) cheap kit that is [[https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-03981-focke-wulf-ta-152-h--238854|actually from 1970]], and my first completed scale airplane since the 1980's!

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