Scale Modeling
Refinishing an Alfa Model Fw 190A
by Rob Caso
When Jay Smith and I discussed refinishing an ARF, my thoughts immediately went to the Alfa Model Fw 190A that I had tucked away on a shelf. This is my second Alfa 190. I still have the first one and it flies so well that I had to have one in another scheme.
If you're looking for a good-flying, nicely detailed, accurate ARF Scale model, check out the Alfas and note that prices on these have recently decreased.
I refinished my first model in the paint scheme found on the F-8 variant White 7, which was restored by the Smithsonian and now resides at the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Washington, D.C. I was thinking that for this one, I might do a late World War II "parts bin" aircraft because many late war Luftwaffe aircraft were remanufactured using both new and useable parts from out-of-service aircraft.
Wartime pressures required cutting corners, so there were aircraft with mismatched schemes, and parts with no paint on them. This gave me the opportunity to do an interesting scheme not often found at the field.
In conjunction with this article, I recorded a series of videos showing how I modified, painted, and weathered the model. The videos can be found on MA's website, along with drawings of the parts needed and of the masks I used for the markings.
The videos covered and detailed the procedures and techniques that I consistently use to transform an ARF. Most of the techniques that I use are not that difficult.
MODEL
Kit: ALF205 Scale: 1/12 Manufacturer: Alfa Models Distributed by: Hobby Lobby Type: Outdoor RC Electric Scale Model ARF
SPECIFICATIONS
Wingspan: 33.5 inches Wing area: 186 square inches Flying weight: 16 ounces Wing loading: 11.1 ounces per square foot Flight controls: Aileron, elevator, rudder, throttle
EQUIPMENT USED
Motor: Hacker A20-26M ESC: Castle Creations Thunderbird 18 Battery: 1000 mAh 3s LiPo Propeller: APC 8 x 6
ADDITIONAL PARTS
One #847 Du-Bro micro pushrod system Three #306 Robart 1/2A hinge points Two 1/8 x 1/8-inch magnets One 1/8 x 12 x 6-inch light plywood One 1/16 x 12 x 6-inch birch plywood One 1/4 x 1 x 6-inch medium sheet balsa
The elevator servo (below) and the additional servo were added for the now-functional rudder.
The undersides of the wing and the stabilizer/elevator, along with the sides of the fuselage, were first repainted with Testors Model Master Lichtblau RLM 76.
The finished rudder modification is shown with the hinges installed.
Left: Panel lining couldn't be easier. This was all done with a soft #2 pencil.
A new paint scheme and all of the markings have been applied. Note the silver "replacement" tail section and mismatched markings and rudder.
Using an airbrush provides a nice finish without adding much additional weight.
See More Online! Watch a video tutorial as Rob Caso explains some of the modifications that were made to this aircraft. The firewall modification, battery tray, and markings plans are even available in a downloadable PDF format on www.ModelAviation.com/scalemodeling
Lining, and weathering. Although time-consuming, much of this is not difficult and I believe that the results are worth the effort.
If you haven't modified a Scale ARF to your liking but have always wanted to do so, these videos are for you! ✈
—Rob Caso [email protected]
SOURCES:
How-to videos http://www.modelaviation.com/fockewulf190
Alfa Model http://alfamodel.cz
Hobby Lobby (866) 512-1444 www.hobby-lobby.com
Aero-Model Inc. (480) 726-7519 www.aero-model.com
Castle Creations (913) 390-6939 www.castlecreations.com
APC Model Airplane Propellers (530) 661-0399 www.apcprop.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
