1/48 FW-189A-1/A-2 Great Wall Hobbies
A few months ago, I built an ICM 1/72 FW-189C/V-6 and enjoyed it so much that I wanted to build a 1/48 version of the FW-189A. Shortly after, I found the 2024 Great Wall Hobbies kit for the FW-189A-1/A-2 on sale at one of the online hobby stores. This kit, which looked really great in the box, allows you to build several versions in a number of camouflage schemes. I decided to build the Hungarian version for no other reason than it was a little more colorful than the others. I thought it might look cool to paint the yellow ID panels, as well as the 3-color bands on the tail. I had great expectations for this build, but it turned out to be quite a hill to climb.
I had several problems during the building of this kit. Some of the problems I had were all mine, but there were a few problems that I thought came from the kit. Now that I am done, I do think this is a really nice kit that will build into a nice model if you take your time and think about what you are doing. If you want to know the specifics, please take a look at the build for this model in the Work in Progress group.
The kit was built basically from the box with the exception of a Quinta interior set. I did decide to go rogue on the instructions. I usually stick pretty close to the instructions, especially with something this complex, but the instruction sequence had you build the outer wings, then build the booms and attach the outer wings. Then you were supposed to build the center section and attach everything. This didn't really make sense, so I started with the center section and worked out. This sequence seemed to work much better. The plane was painted using colors mixed from various Tamiya colors and was weathered using artist oils. I suspect the green in the color bands on the tail is probably a little too light, so I may go back and repaint it at some point in the future. That will be an adventure for the future.
That's about it. The workbench is now clean and I can start on something for the Phoney War Group. Cheers everyone.
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- 1. A quick size comparison against a Revell 1/48 B-25J. It is a big kit.
Your FW looks fantastic brother !
It was a pleasure to follow along with your journey and I am looking forward to seeing what you have in store for the Phony War group.
The photos you posted really brought the details out in your model. I also like how you decided to paint the markings on the tail section. Very cool !
The oils used to weather the plane are equally as nice.
I’m definitely going to be clicking on several of the various like buttons.
Thanks, Louis (@lgardner). In the end, it turned out to be a good kit to build. I wasn't so sure during the build. Thanks for following along.
Really nice, other George. Did you use masks for all that clear?
Thanks, other George (@blackadder57). The only way I would consider this kit is with a good set of canopy masks. About 80 individual masks, altogether. Almost like putting decals on an F-4 Phantom. They came off a lot quicker than they went on. I bought a set of masks by ASK, but then found out this kit has a really nice set of masks included. I should have looked in the box before I bought the new masks.
An absolute wonderful result, George @gblair
The splinter camouflage turned out really nice as does the weathering.
The advantage of that large amount of windows is that you still have a perfect view on that beautiful interior.
Thanks for the kind comments, John (@johnb), and thanks for following along on the build. One of these days I will need to try a German mottled camo. That will be my next mountain to climb. Yes, lots of glass, but opening the entry hatch is the big viewing point.
Very nice looking model, @gblair ! The paint looks great , the framing on the clear parts looks perfectly painted. It’s a unique looking aircraft.
Thanks, Jay (@ssgt). It was a cool model to do, but I don't think I will be doing another one anytime soon.
Very nice result, Geoerge @gblair. It was interesting following your build log.
Thanks, Tom (@tcinla). It was an uphill climb, but all good now.
Excellent result. looks good in Hungarian livery. I did this one when it first became available. Now, if someone would offer a FW 187 I'd be a happy camper!
Thanks for taking a look, Chas (@chasbunch). A 1/48 Falke would be a cool kit.
G’day George (@gblair),
It was great following along on your build.
Now if/when I get one of these I’ll know where all the pitfalls are.
I, too, was surprised how big its BV 141 compeditor was when I built mine. I think the small crew capsule leads you to think that the whole thing is smaller.
This is a great build and a testament to your skill and perseverence.
Liked!
Excellent, George! A detailed kit that one needs to take his time with. Your excellent skills ensured that the final result would be nothing else than spectacular! It was a pleasure to follow your thread!
Thanks for the kind words, Michael (@michaelt) and Spiros (@fiveten). This model does take up a lot of shelf space, but it sits lower that the B-25, so it tucks nicely under the high wing of my B-25 on the shelf. Thanks for following along on the build. Cheers.
Nice work, George. Great paint work.
Thanks, John (@j-healy). I really like using Tamiya paints, which usually means I have to mix the colors I need. I also really like weathering now that I do most of it using artist oils.
Great looking '189', George (@gblair). Nice looking partner to your earlier 189C build.
I didn't realize just how much sweep it's wings had.
That glazed gondola is the reason I haven't started my smaller Italeri and ICM kits.
I actually hunted down a 189C after seeing your earlier 189C post.
Hi, George (@georgeswork): Thanks for stopping in. I really like the way the 189C looked and I enjoyed the ICM model. The individual panes of glass on the various cockpit areas were a real pain in 1/48, so I can't imagine how that would be in 1/72. Over 70 individual masks to place on the model. Almost like putting decals on an F-4 Phantom. The good news is that the Great Wall kit comes with its own masks that work quite well. I found the kit at one of the online hobby stores at a significantly reduced sale price.
George (@gblair), thank you for taking the time to organize and develop your blog. Stopping a project to photograph,comment and answer questions and brief your fellow modelers on your progress takes time and patience. As you have written, being retired doesn't slow down your schedule.
Modeling now includes, developing writing skills, photography, and a knowledge of how to operate a computer. This project of yours has been informative,entertaining and you've performed a service to the community while spreading the good word. Fun comes to mind.
It was pleasure to read your blog and your Owl really stands out from the norm of the standards. Or its really cool.
Thanks for your very kind words, Stephen (@stephen-w-towle). You are right that it does take time to photograph your progress and then write about it. After I retired from the military, I spent the next 20 years teaching in college and high school, so blogging fits right in. I just hope someone gets something out of the build. I am constantly surprised by how time goes by. I built a lot of models in high school, but then I found working my way through college didn't leave much time for models. I figured I could build more after, but I became an Air Force pilot and had very little free time. Once again, I figured I could model more after the Air Force, but I taught high school by day and college at night, and once again I had no time. The crazy thing is that during all of these periods I was buying models that I would build "someday". Now I am completely retired and I thought that time would appear, but now we take care of our 4 year old granddaughter after school for a couple of hours until Mom comes and gets her, so not as much time as I thought (again). But time with my granddaughter is well spent. :o) Thanks for dropping in and for your kind observations. Cheers.
What a wonderful build, George. @gblair
The canopy came out really nice under the masking! Must have been a painstaking job though.
Thanks, Alfred (@alfred). It was a steep hill to climb, but it turned out to be a good kit to build. Over 70 separate masks to apply. Took a lot less time to take them off than it took to put them on.
Great looking build! I have an old Airfix 1/72 model of this, but may chuck it and look for the ICM kit...
Hi, Greg (@gkittinger). Thanks. I built the 1/72 ICM kit and really enjoyed it. The ICM kit is for the FW-189C which has a really small armored gondola rather than the earlier glass pod. The Great Wall kit was an uphill battle at times, mainly because I think the kit was needlessly complex at times. There were also some issues with the instructions themselves. I do think it was a worthwhile kit to build. Looking forward to seeing yours.