Reviewer: Pablo Bauleo
IPMS: # 46363
Manufacturer: Dragon
Product: 1/48 Ta-152C
MSRP: $31.49
Manufacturer: Eagle Strike
Product: EC #123 Ta-152C
MSRP: $15.00
Note: I'm providing a combined review of the kit from Dragon (provided by DragonModels) and the Eagle Strike decals (that I bought myself)
As mentioned before, Dragon is releasing the Ta-152C-0 based on their previous release of the Ta-152H. Construction of this kit implies a "conversion". You have to cut the nose from the Ta-152H fuselage (which is provided in the box) and replace it with the new nose for the Ta-152C.
Fuselage surgery is the first step. I've used my JLC razor saw to cut the original nose off and then I filed the cuts flash with the panel lines. While I had the JLC razor in my hand, I've also cut the flaps free from the under wings (more on that below).
The instructions suggests to glue the replacement nose halves to each fuselage half and then glue both halves together, to form the new fuselage. Gluing the nose halves to the fuselage sound reasonable, but I decided to depart from the instructions. The nose/fuselage seams runs along the upper wings wing-root and I wasn't sure if I would be able to line up the fuselage with the wings. But I've noticed that the lower wings (molded as one piece) would span the back fuselage/nose seam and the upper wings, providing a solid base for positive alignment.
This is what I did: I've assembled the back part of the fuselage and cockpit. I've glued the new nose halves, plus the machine gun cowling together to have a new nose. At that point I've noticed that the back fuselage was wider than the new nose. I used a piece of sprue cut and trimmed to fit, to spread out the nose and match the fuselage width. I did many, dry-fittings of the nose to the back fuselage, filing where needed to ensure a good fit from the fuselage and the nose.
Once I was satisfied with the nose/fuselage fit, I had a little jigsaw puzzle with four components (back fuselage, nose and two upper wings). To line-up all the main components I've used the lower wing. I glued the upper wings to the lower wings first, then the back fuselage to the wings, and finally the replacement nose to the lower wing. Everything lined up nicely and the fit was sound. To blend-in the nose/fuselage seam I've used some Milliput epoxy. Once dry, I added a thin layer Mr Surfacer 500 and smooth it out with lacquer thinner.
My first conversion was done! It might sound difficult, but actually it was pretty easy. By having the lower wing to line-up the jigsaw puzzle, it made the alignment of the main components straightforward.
Going back to the under wings and the flaps: I've purchased the Eagle Strike decal sheet for the Ta-152C. It includes decals for the wooden panels in the inside of the flaps and it was just too tempting to not use them.
The Dragon kit is not designed to have the flaps in a lowered position, so I had to cut the flaps free and then scratchbuilt the flap boxes (I cut the flaps free before I assembled the wings). I've also added the trailing edge of the wing ribs, which would be visible with the flaps in the lowered position. I've used styrene sheet for the flap boxes. I don't know how many wing ribs would have been visible; I just wanted the flap box to look 'busy', for when you'll be looking at the wood pattern of the flaps and the flap box.
Just one more step was needed before painting: I had to fill-in the panel lines representing the flare dispenser (near the tail), as it is a leftover from the Ta152-H version which should not be there for the Ta152-C. Remember to do it, as there are no references to it in the instructions.
Painting and masking was straightforward. I've applied a very light wash to the panel lines, as these airplanes had a very short service life. Then it was time for decaling.
The Eagle Strike decals provides enough markings and stencils for two full airplanes: VH+EY (Ta-152C prototype) and for the Ta-152C in service with Stab JG.301. There are no pictures known of these two airplanes, but the decal sheet provides plenty of green Stab numbers to choose from. The decals are printed by Cartograph of Italy. They are thin and able to withstand gentle handling while being placed in final location. The decals react well to typical setting solutions, and conform to surface detail very well. The sheet provides many swastikas and plenty of number for you spare bin, so there is great added value to it.
The Eagle Strike instructions shows the tailband colors (red/yellow) are shown inverted from what is the typical configuration seen in JG301. However, I've read online that there are some documented airplanes serving in Stab JG301 that had the colors inverted from the typical configuration. Hence, it might make sense to paint them that way. As stated, there are no known pictures of the airplanes, so you have to use your own judgment.
Final assembly is relatively simple. The only point to be aware of is to trim 5 mm, from the landing gear covers, as the ones being provided belong to the -H version. This is clearly marked in the instructions. The landing gear is a little bit fragile. Handle your model with care.
As a summary: The fit is good, even when considering that this is a conversion kit. Using the lower wings for alignment, it was easy to get everything to line-up. It took me about 30 hours to finish this kit, with about 20 hs of it going into construction. Mind that I added the scratchbuilt flap boxes, which added at least 4 hs to the total construction time.
Instructions are based on the Ta-152H ones. Actually one of the drawings shows the -H wings on it. Have a critical eye on the instructions during assembly and you'll be fine.
Given the "conversion" nature of this kit it is recommended for intermediate and experience modelers. Because the conversion only includes plastic parts, it might a good kit for a first conversion project. It certainly was true for me.
I would like to thanks Dragon Models for the review sample. Eagle Strike decals were bought by me.
