Herbies' Fieseler Fi156C Storch

[herbies]

So after tossing up between a FW190 and Fi156C that I recently got. Going with this as the decals in the FW190 are a bit worn. Since this is a Tamiya OOB GB. Fi156C it is!


Since I've got to get ready for night duty shortly. I'll do a bit of a write up once I properly start the bird. So onto the sprues!


Probably can't tell but that is clear parts already attached to the fuselage. Interesting but doesn't look like I'll be sanding that area anytime, besides cleanup.

Apologies for the potato quality of photos. Was a bit tired when I decided to take this photos.


Oh Tamiya masks

Decals look excellent, very much typical Tamiya.

Looking forward to testing out a new technique with masking with precut/drawn(?) masks

Came with 5 types of markings. Two Erwin Rommel used, as shown. Storch used to free Mussolini (interesting). Winter 1942 Eastern Front and another using the same colour scheme as the 'Mussolini' but unit unkown.
I'm going to go with 2nd of the Erwin Rommel used, bottom scheme on photo.

This will test me a bit, especially with my airbrushing, as I've just started. Also with the masking and also just remembering to take pics.
Til the next post, look forward to hearing positive criticisms.

Also not bad for a AUD$35 pick up

[arilo76]

Wow that kit looks awesome. good luck with it and i like the colour scheme you pick.

[mincemeat]

The "potato quality" doesn't look too bad!

A guy in my monthly model club built this and it was a really nice kit. He did scheme a free-hand. I think the thing to keep in mind with the camo is take your time and don't push to finish it in one sitting. Good luck and enjoy!

[herbies]

Cheers guys.

Don't think I mentioned it but did pick it up on an online garage sale. So was lucky no one wanted it. Read a few reviews and builds and they've loved it.

So made a start, finally. Work got in the way with night shifts and sleeping during the day.

So the instructions start of with building the engine. Starting with the cylinders then moving onto the engine block. A little bit fiddly with 3 pieces and because of the size. Not many locater pins, but easily done. The way I got em to stat roughly in place was by pinching the 3 pieces together and spot glueing/gluing (little bit confused which is the right one) once bonded just touch up the rest.

As you can see here pinching em together.

Next I started on the cylinders. They come in 2 seperate 'banks' and you glue em together. Once I had some glue laid down, I used my tweezers to hold em together for a about 20 seconds just to help the glue.



A little tip from me which probably seem obvious. Is that the instructions ask you to include the rivet for the propeller to spin freely not to glue it in. I used one of the 8 plastic poly caps the kit provides as a stopper. To stop the rivet from sliding all the way back and out of reach.



I haven't attached the engine mounts or the exhaust pipes. For ease of painting. So painted the engine XF-58 Metalic Grey even though the kit calls neutral grey. I decided with this as looking up the engine there are so many photo references of the engine painted black to a light greeny colour. So I guess personal preference comes down to it. I would suggest painting the cylinders before gluing together and to the engine. As I had a little bit of trouble painting em after the where glued.

Don't know whats up with the blueish haze of the photo. Sorry, but you can see the poly cap holding the rivet. Also to note it is sitting on an Australian 10c coin. So thats how small it is, especially for 1/48. The seam line you can see, won't be seen. As how it is in the photo the engine is upside down. Need to add the engine mount and the exhaust then will be clear coated, decals placed and coated again then. Weathering will start. As to how much weathering... I don't know mainly because it will be hidden but debating if I'll leave one of the cowlings off or have it removable.

I moved onto the cockpit frame, which need to have some bits removed and PE attached. Becareful when cleaning up and handling these parts as I slightly damaged them. Can't be seen now but just a word of warning. Painted em mr color's rlm 02, but read somewhere that the canopy frames n control panel are rlm 66. So don't know if I should leave em rlm 02.



Started on the interior. The floor attaches onto the bottom part of the fuselage with it all painted up in RLM 02. I did the same with the sides of the fuselage after adding in the few attachments. Masked of the clear part, which is fascinating that it is already attached. And sprayed rlm 02. Going to paint the rlm66 on the outside to save time masking. The kit provides differernt options for the different variations so the rear part of the interior will look different from mine.
Detail painting and weathering will be done at a later date, as I let the paint dry. Seats and a seatbelt decals will be added aswell.

So thats where I'm at. Loving the kit. I've definitely noticed my cleaning up skills have vastly improved. And this is my 2nd kit that I've used an airbrush on. So happy with my airbrushing skills. Though just basic at this moment.

Hopefully the next update won't be far away.

[GarethCrossland]

Looking great so far! Can't wait for the next update.