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Revell 1/32 Arado Ar196 B
Topic Started: Mar 12 2015, 07:12 AM (900 Views)
DevilFish
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LCDR Paul "Voodoo" Carter
This is one kit I have been wanting to build since the "A" variant came out. Seen some great builds. Kit review can be found here http://s15.zetaboards.com/Mainly_Military/topic/7894965/1/#new

In a strange turn of events. the "B" version is actually more of a prototype than the "A", which was the standard full production machine. The main differences being, the "B" has a single main float and outriggers, but also a 2-blade prop (altho the 3-blade is an option)

Used mostly for trials work prior to WW2, it wore the standard pre-war RLM02 grey/green colouring, with civilian registration and red band across the tail. Due to German laws the swastika is not given on the decal sheet, so one will need to be found elsewhere.

So, on with the build.

Firstly, let me say there is a lot of RLM02 on this kit, as the standard interior colour of the day was....RLM02.

Work starts in the cockpit. It is a very well detailed affair, but I'm sure some people can find more to add. I have started by painting as much as I can.

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Decals are provided for the instruments and I will be using them. As this was a test aircraft and pre-war, I plan to keep the weathering down to a subtle minimum.
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Mark M
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Hawk T1
:pop
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DevilFish
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LCDR Paul "Voodoo" Carter
Onward and upward.

Ok, a couple of things I've noticed so far.
1) The order of the instructions could be better....The option of having the wings open or folded is great, but unfortunately, you have to look carefully at each step to see which it is. Maybe it would have been easier to show the way to build it wings open, then wings folded. Just a small point.
2) although not major, there is a little flash on this kit. And I mean a tiny amount. Unfortunately, its mostly in areas that interfere with other bits, so, no matter how small, they have to be removed...
3) The wing strut for the RH closed position is broken on mine. Could be a problem as there are bits missing that have broken off. As this is a review, I have decided to build it with one wing open, one folded, to see how they look, so it's not a problem for me.
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On with the build....

I used the decals for the instruments....well some of them.... I cut out the switchgear as it's easier to paint them...

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After that it was a case of putting together the very well detailed cockpit

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No major problems here. The only fiddly bit was the rear crewman's seat, which fits into a "sliding rail" and can take a few attempts to get into place and to stay there.

Fuselage together next. Here's where you have to decide whether the wings will be open or folded as a piece has to inserted into a hole if they are folded, in which the open wings will have a spar for strength.

I had a few alignment problems, but I'm not sure if that was the kit's fault or mine....

Firstly, and this may be the cause of the subsequent problems, the rear coaming in the cockpit didn't mate up to the fuselage as it should. I'm pretty sure it is in the right position, but the instructions do give you a picture warning about this bit....
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This lead to the wing roots not lining up, but it wasn't a major problem, easily overcome by puling the fuselage out and applying plasticweld.

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So here's where we leave it....

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DevilFish
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LCDR Paul "Voodoo" Carter
I've had a slight loss of mojo this week, so I'm finding progress difficult. However, the main assemblies are together with no major traumas. A skim of filler to hide a few joint lines......

The framework/engine mount is a little delicate, so care must be taken when removing from the sprue and trimming back.....
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Ready to get the gloss lacquer on so I can decal it in modular form.....

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DevilFish
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LCDR Paul "Voodoo" Carter
Spent some time applying a gloss lacquer to the aircraft so I could put the decals on. And that's where the problems start. So far this has been a pretty uneventful build. Not always simple, but nothing too difficult.
The decals.....Well, the first thing I noticed....and why oh why do manufacturers do this....is that some of the smaller markings are fitted inside the larger wing serials! Meaning you have to cut them out first, with the risk of losing them. With such tiny signage, they could have fitted these anywhere on the decal sheet.....

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The next problem...well, not so much a problem...point...is that they literally only need a second in the water for them to separate from the backing sheet. Honestly, I was dipping them in the water and pulling them straight out.....

Which leads me to the last problem. The decals are very very thin. Now, this is good for adhesion to complex curved surfaces and panel lines. All of which there are very few of on this kit! It also works well with the smaller decals. HOWEVER......The serials on the top wing are not small.....and, with the centres now cut out of them (see problem 1) they are difficult to get off the backing sheet and onto the wing in one piece. I was lucky and only ripped 2 of the letters. I have some touching up to do later on..... :angry:

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Luckily, the fuselage serials and all the rest I have put on so far didn't cause any further headaches....

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One other thing you have to do, that I find a little strange, is paint the red band on the tail for the swastika to go on. Obviously, being a German company, no Swastikas are provided, but the white circle that they go on is....
Which leads me to ask, why not provide the whole band as a decal?
Anyway, not a major problem, as the give detailed measurements of the band, so a quick mask and spray and voila

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Ready for the white disc, which should fit just short of the edges of the band, top and bottom. Errrrr......no......The one they give you is ludicrously undersize, so I will have to make another mask and spray that too.... :bang:
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Mark M
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Hawk T1
do you need a swashbuckler?

i have some pre circled
Edited by Mark M, Mar 30 2015, 10:44 AM.
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DevilFish
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LCDR Paul "Voodoo" Carter
Mark M
Mar 30 2015, 10:43 AM
do you need a swashbuckler?

i have some pre circled
Depends. I have some 1/48 ones. If one of those is around the right size, I'll use that.
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tc2324
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LCDR Tony `Banana's` Clay
Completely missed this... :redface

Looking good Paul.

Hate to say this.., but..., is it finished yet? :grin:
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DevilFish
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LCDR Paul "Voodoo" Carter
Unfortunately not. Other builds for the shows and the GBs have pushed it to one side. Also, I need to get a big bolt for the 50g weight needed to put in the float to stop it being a tailsitter. A trip to B&Q is needed......
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DevilFish
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LCDR Paul "Voodoo" Carter
Thought I'd better get back to this and get it finished.

Started off by building the engine. Nothing too complicated here, just take care when you fit the exhausts, that you get them in the right places.

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I then fitted it to the rest of the fuselage

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Attention then turns to the single massive float. It requires "about" 50g weight in the front. I don't like theat....about.....is it 50? is it 40? or 60?. Anyway, I went with 50g, and so far so good. if anything it seems too much...

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I decided next to build the stand, as it would come in useful....
Flash and injection mouldings strike again! I really am quite disappointed by the amount of flash on this kit, for such a new moulding...

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Olde Farte
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Lt. Derek 'Smurfy' Reeve
Nice work so far.
I noticed in an earlier post that a 'swashbuckle' was mentioned, what is that please as I always thought it was a nautical term.
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DevilFish
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LCDR Paul "Voodoo" Carter
Olde Farte
Aug 10 2015, 07:31 AM
Nice work so far.
I noticed in an earlier post that a 'swashbuckle' was mentioned, what is that please as I always thought it was a nautical term.
I think it's a polite term for swastika
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Olde Farte
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Lt. Derek 'Smurfy' Reeve
DevilFish
Aug 10 2015, 08:18 AM
Olde Farte
Aug 10 2015, 07:31 AM
Nice work so far.
I noticed in an earlier post that a 'swashbuckle' was mentioned, what is that please as I always thought it was a nautical term.
I think it's a polite term for swastika
Ah thanks, should have twigged though.
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DevilFish
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LCDR Paul "Voodoo" Carter
It's on it's float now.....

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Cimmerian
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Lt. Ken 'Albatros' Jeffrey
Looking good.
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