HobbyBoss 1/18 Fw-190A-8 (Double Build)

I have really fond memories of the "toy" 1/18 aircraft models by 21st Century Toys from my teenage years. Their size was impressive and really made up for not being 100% accurate or detailed. I took many of them apart to customize, but I always dreamed that they would release them in true "model kit form".

This project will (hopefully) rekindle some of that magic from my youth. I am going to correct some basic inaccuracies and add extra detail here and there, but not worrying about 100% accuracy. 

Hobby boss designed the propeller blades backwards. It looks a bit awkward if left uncorrected.

Uncorrected (left) vs corrected (right) 

Correcting the propeller is pretty easy.. just cut this section off and reglue it on the opposite side 

Spinner comparison

The kit spinner is too long and the propeller cutouts should be squared-off at the bottom 

The spinner was sanded down 

The propeller cutouts were shortened and squared-off by using a photo-etch saw on top of a feeler gauge (to ensure equal length cuts) 

The hole at the front was drilled out 

The last modification was attaching the cooling fan directly to the propeller assembly. 

JG3 spinner progress 

JG3 spinner vs. reference photo 

Propeller painted Mr. Color RLM70 

Tonal variation was added using 90% RLM70 + 10% white sprayed through a scrubbing pad 

Propeller wear vs. reference photo

I wish I would have done an additional layer with another lighter shade, but I was worried about over-doing it and ruining the effect. 

propeller blades masked 

propeller hub painted white aluminum (AK Xtreme Metal) and sealed with a gloss clear (Tamiya X-22) 

oil wash applied using Abteilung shadow brown 

Hobby Boss apparently just gave up at some point while designing the engine lol. The cylinder heads (which aren't very visible) are there. The rest had to be scratch built. I wasn't going for 100% accuracy so a lot of artistic license was used. 

The real BMW801 had aluminum cylinder heads. I used a darker shade to hopefully create a sense of "shadow" from being inside the cowling with little direct sunlight. 

The engine was painted, an oil wash was heavily applied, and then everything sealed in a clear coat 

The propeller assembly will be held on with a magnet. The kit's propeller shaft fit is a little loose.