HobbyBoss Ta-152 C-11 in 1:48

[Stands24]

Hello!
This is a Ta-152 C-11 by HobbyBoss in 1:48 scale. I finally got around to making this post for it. It's my third project in the works right now, started around the same time as I finished my E-75's build and preliminary painting. It took me so long to start the post itself I guess because the model's been sitting on a peanut can for a couple months. I guess I was afraid to paint it because I didn't wanna mess it up! I didn't take any pictures of the in-progress build as I didn't know about this forum yet. Sorry. ): I decided to keep the landing gear up since I want to hang this in my car under my rear-view mirror. The plane is supposed to appear in-flight. I also didn't bother with painting the cockpit details since at the time, I didn't know if I wanted to hang it from the ceiling in a diorama or in my car. I decided on my car; my upcoming Fw-190 D-10 will be in the diorama.

Here's the camo scheme provided in the kit.


Here's the plane before any priming, right after I finished it! It is a gorgeous plane, to be sure. I love how it looks. The build itself took a total of two days maybe? Relatively simple. I heard that HobbyBoss' quality was not up to par with top brands these days (Tamiya, Hasegawa, etc.) but apparently this was made after they stepped up their game. The fit is wonderful and I didn't have to cement the wings in place! Mold quality is fantastic too. Plenty of detail, even the canopy bar rivets. It also comes with PE for the seat belts and stuff. Tiny parts but I managed to get them right. My only issue with this kit is that it does NOT come with the option to show the landing gear retracted. Because of that, there are tiny gaps in the wings' landing gear covers which you will see in some following pictures. I also had to sand down the sides of the tail wheel to get it to fit in its well.


After priming and painting the underside a day ago (and some of the sides) RLM 76... I used Vallejo's Model Air set for these colors. A pretty good paint set; comes pre-thinned and ready to toss in the airbrush!



Underside!



So, here's what I did today! I used the technique I learned to make hard-edge camo for my Tiger II: put down some Blue Tac, then mask areas with paper towel since masking tape sticks to the tack too much. I think it came out pretty well considering I started having problems with my airbrush... It seems the paint is drying in the cup. Very frustrating; I had to partially disassemble the thing about 10 times to clean it out and reload. I did some mottling without a template; I think it turned out pretty good. Some imperfections because of airbrush problems but I'll fix those later. It occurred to me that the Germans did hard edge camo for the wings, but soft edge for the fuselage sides. Interesting. Didn't use the tack-nique for that. (HAHAHAHA PUNS )



And a little spot I accidentally removed the tack from. At least y'all can see how the hard edge turned out. I want to leave the tack on so I can mask the brown side when I do the green. Also, if you look in front of the canopy, you can see a few ridges. That is my fingerprint from when I accidentally got cement on my finger without realizing it, then I touched that part... Hopefully ot won't be too noticeable in the end.


I can't say it enough, this plane is BEAUTIFUL. This is the C-11 variant which as far as I know was never made, but it looks almost exactly like the C-3 which WAS built and tested. Apparently the C-3 was a strong performer; really powerful engine. Hydraulic ailerons and five cannons too: one 30mm MK-103 in the nose firing through the prop hub and four 20mm MG-151s, two in front of the cockpit and two in the wing roots, all firing synchronized through the propeller arc. Deadly armament with incredible speed! If only some of these existed to fly today...

Anyways, let me know what you guys think! I will get the green on when I can, maybe tomorrow or within the next few days.

To-Do List:
- Add Green
- Finish Small Details and Spot Check for Errors
- Add Gloss Coat and Decals
- Finish with Matte Coat

[NorthernModeller]

That is a lot larger than I thought it would be. Nice work

[Avgas]

Lovely looking bird. Build is coming along nicely.

[Stands24]

Thank you guys. c: This is my second favorite plane now. Bf-109s used to be 2nd but this really grew on me in the past couple months! 1st is the Me-262, of which I have two kits to make. Can't wait for them.

Update: the green will be going on tomorrow. c:

[Stands24]

Thank you guys for your kind words, and I have a small update.

I sprayed on the green but 1: it came out too dark so I think I might have to lighten it once I find out how and 2: my Badger airbrush messed up... I had to switch to my Iwata for the night which has a much wider spray. I couldn't do small areas easily and there was a lot of overspray... I'll have to redo the mottling and respray some of the light blue, mainly around the rear fuselage. Will do that tonight hopefully.

[JohnModeller]

Done the C-1, and these kits go together pretty well. Just be careful of the decals, as they are a pain and can shatter pretty easily.
Just a quick thing on the camo, late war luftwaffe camo was always soft edged (on the wings as well) and haphazard. It never had straight edges.
btw, I agree, this is a beautiful looking plane, and the me 262 ranks at the top of my favourite aircraft lists as well

[Stands24]

Done the C-1, and these kits go together pretty well. Just be careful of the decals, as they are a pain and can shatter pretty easily.
Just a quick thing on the camo, late war luftwaffe camo was always soft edged (on the wings as well) and haphazard. It never had straight edges.
btw, I agree, this is a beautiful looking plane, and the me 262 ranks at the top of my favourite aircraft lists as well

I actually just bought their C-1 variant. Can never have too many Ta-152 Cs. I was about to buy Dragon's version but once I saw that even their latest C variant kit provides the full H series fuselage (meaning you'd have to do quite a bit of surgery to remove the H engine cowling and add the C one, as well as the wing roots), I was too afraid to buy it. I don't want to risk destroying the kit. ):

As for the camo, thank you! I suppose I'll just do a quick going-over tomorrow on all my hard edges so as to soften them. Means I won't have to use the tack-nique for future late-war Luftwaffe builds! The Me-262s though, I have two of the same Tamiya kit (will give you the kit number if you wish) and I believe that, judging from the images in the instruction booklet, their paint guide calls for hard-edge on all its schemes... Is this also inaccurate?

[JohnModeller]

Done the C-1, and these kits go together pretty well. Just be careful of the decals, as they are a pain and can shatter pretty easily.
Just a quick thing on the camo, late war luftwaffe camo was always soft edged (on the wings as well) and haphazard. It never had straight edges.
btw, I agree, this is a beautiful looking plane, and the me 262 ranks at the top of my favourite aircraft lists as well

I actually just bought their C-1 variant. Can never have too many Ta-152 Cs. I was about to buy Dragon's version but once I saw that even their latest C variant kit provides the full H series fuselage (meaning you'd have to do quite a bit of surgery to remove the H engine cowling and add the C one, as well as the wing roots), I was too afraid to buy it. I don't want to risk destroying the kit. ):

As for the camo, thank you! I suppose I'll just do a quick going-over tomorrow on all my hard edges so as to soften them. Means I won't have to use the tack-nique for future late-war Luftwaffe builds! The Me-262s though, I have two of the same Tamiya kit (will give you the kit number if you wish) and I believe that, judging from the images in the instruction booklet, their paint guide calls for hard-edge on all its schemes... Is this also inaccurate?

Hi mate, I also have the 1/32 trumpeter Me 262A-1a as well, and lots of reference for the Me 262. I will pm you some reference. However, the Tamiya instructions are definitely debatable. Personally, I would go for the much more historically accurate option of the soft edged, hand sprayed camo. looking forward towards more progress on this Ta 152
Cheers, John

[Stands24]

I will post an update when I get my new paint retardant and Lifecolor's RLM 81 in the mail. c: I want to change the brown as I just don't feel it's the right shade.

[Stands24]

I put on the green and it wasn't right. Tried some different shades and tints and found that Lifecolor's RLM-81 and RLM-82 were the correct shades for this vehicle. I realized this too late. Paint kept changing shades so I tried to remove the paint and start fresh. Didn't work. It's in the trash and I'll resume when I receive my replacement. Quite irritated.