AMtech 1:48 Focke-Wulf Ta183B-1
Subject: (Luft “46”- What If Subject)
Group Commanders AC: 9. /JG52 “Hartmann”, Spring 1946
Subject History:
According to recovered German documents following the War, the Focke-Wulf Ta 183 was designed to be a swept wing turbojet powered high-speed interceptor/fighter of metal and wooden construction. Its base Armament would have been four MK 108 30mm cannon mounted in the nose. In addition, different types of weapons could have been carried on hard points under the wings and an ordnance bay in the lower fuselage.
Assembly:
The basic model was built OOB. Additions where: Scratch built DF loop and Pitot tube, Hasegawa W.Gr21 rocket launchers, Eduard PE seat belts, Morane antenna and fuel latches, true details main wheels and panty hose elastic nylon for the antenna wire.
Painting/Decals/Weathering:
I used Model Master paints throughout; RLM 76 overall on the main fuselage and underside of the main wings tail and drop tank. Topside camouflage is a RLM83/81 for the upper wings surfaces and RLM 82/02 for the fuselage mottle. The kits one piece canopy was cut into two pieces allow an open cockpit view. An assortment of spare decals was used for the markings. Decals were applied on to a gloss coat of Future Floor Wax. I used PolyScale Acrylic Flat as the final dull coat. Weathering was kept to minimum- light oil/fuel staining on the fuselage and landing gear using a mix of oil based burnt umber and odorless turpenoid. The panel lines were highlighted with a finely sharpened drafting pencil and metal chipping was done with a sliver Primsa Color pencil.
This kit is nicely molded, has great fit and went together without fuss. It was a really fun project for me because I had no constraints as to historical color or markings.
Happy modeling,
Erich
Nice job, my friend...I like it. 🙂
Thank you Craig
Beautiful model, Erich. Someone in our club built this but in a black scheme. It’s “small but perfectly formed.”
Thanks Rob- glad you liked it.
One of Kurt Tank's best designs. Way ahead of it's time, the shape reminds me of the SAAB Tunnan. Well done Erich!
When Tank went ahead and did make a "Ta-183" in Argentina (the Pulqui "Arrow II") it turned out he didn't know as much about high speed airframe stability as he thought he did.
Lovely model of a very unusual subject. The Ta 183 was named the Huckebein (Raven, apparently named after the character in a childrens book) but to me it definitely looks more insect-like. Great skills with the photography, too, Erich.
You are 100% correct, Michel. Although I hadn't heard of the Tunnan, you can clearly pick out the similarities between the two.
The Tunnan has no more connection to the Ta-183 than the MiG-15 (which too many people say is a direct development of the Tank design) did, other than being jet-powered. The reason the Tunnan is "portly" is because it's powered by a centrifugal flow "Nene" (also why the MiG-15 is similarly "portly").
The one connection the MiG has is it used the Tank design for wing airflow control, while the US used the Messerschmitt design (slats).
Sorry to be obtuse here, I've just finished a chapter in the next book on this.
No need for apologies, Tom; suffered ten worse adjectives than 'obtuse' already today. Patronising, dull, condescending, overbearing, hubristic, arrogant, pompus, egotistical, grandiose, and deceitful. Been working with politicians all day.
How can you stand it, my friend? Ha!
Uh ... great group of adjectives, David. Fits your subjects VERY well!
😉
Thanks David-glad you liked the model, as far as my photography skills go- they just "happened" to work out that day!
In reality, if Tank had ever flown this design in this configuration, it would have crashed the first time the pilot tried to decelerate to landing speed, due to the fact the Great Designer hadn't looked that far into low speed stability of a swept wing (his fix would have been the wing fences he was working on, that Artem Mikoyan adopted for the MiG-15).
Good point Tom. I'd also take a 50/50 bet that if the pilot wasn't killed on approach, he'd would have been killed when the crummy wood glue caused the wings to delaminate at high speed!
Nice build of an obscure subject. Came out really well.
Thank you Greg
Erich, I 'get' the freedom you felt here - it shines through - I really like the work with pencils too. However, the wow factor comes from the quality of the painting - the mottling is of such high quality - and the lines are so sharp. Wonderful stuff!
Beautifully done, Erich!