Jerry Crandall GB: Ta 152 H-0

I've had this 1/48 DML/Trimaster Ta 154 H-0 in my stash since the early 90's. The Jerry Crandall GB finally got me off my keister to get going on this because I also had EagleCal's Ta 152 H #133 sheet already in the decal dungeon ready to go.

EagleCal decals (supervised by the late Mr. Crandall) offers slim historical info on “Yellow 2” 11./JG 301, other than it dates back to February 1945 and was found at Alteno Airfield, Germany. It may have had a pressurized canopy although the sheet says that is “unconfirmed. Apparently “Yellow 2” was photographed, but I gave up searching. This was one of approximately 60 Ta 152H aircraft Focke Wulf produced based on Kurt Tank's forward thinking design. (Wikipedia claims 69.)

Trimaster's venerable Ta 152 kits are quite good in the accuracy dept with superb moulding details considering their age. Early releases featured a complete engine (including open cowl hoods) that is a model in itself. My kit is dated 1991, released by Dragon (then DML) who acquired the molds as part of their Master Series that includes a couple of PE frets with seatbelts and all. This is my second Trimaster Ta-152 build having completed their C variant about ten years ago so I knew what to expect. At least I thought so.

This is not an easy kit because of a few fit issues, particularly the canopy and windscreen which are too narrow and don't line up with the fuselage sides. I should have searched around for a replacement but even my many Eduard FW blown canopy spares wouldn't do the trick. It is what it is.

The engine is way too much work to put together because the parts do not fit well at all. Besides no one would see it anyway since I was leaving the hoods in the closed position. Regardless, one needs something to plug that quite noticeable void via the wheel wells. I simply built the rear part of the engine and mounted it accordingly and it definitely looks better.

Another issue I had to deal with is getting the landing gear into the correct position by pushing it forward to get that FW 190 stance. The axles must be ahead of the leading edge when looked at from above. Several applications of CA glue at the gear base helps immensely. Fortunately I didn't break anything much to my surprise and relief.

The only non-kit items used is a set of BarracudaCast's excellent Ta 152 resin wheels.

I followed EagleCals printed‘ color scheme using the following airbrushed acrylics:

• Undersides RLM 76 (Vallejo Air)
• Upper surfaces RLM 82 Bright Green (Tamiya XF-5)/83 Dark Green (Tamiya XF1+ XF3)
• Propeller blades - RLM 70 Black Green (Tamiya XF-27).

Then I glossed it over and applied EagleCals excellent “Yellow 2” decal markings (printed by Cartograf). A final spray of Dullcote lacquer and called it “Finished”.

Thanks for looking!

Here's the link to my build:

https://imodeler.com/groups/jerry-crandall-memorial-group-build/forum/topic/another-ta-152h/

8 additional images. Click to enlarge.