Narses2's Blog - or what I'm slowly making progress on

NARSES2 · January 12, 2026, 06:08:06 AM

Got some work done on the IBG Fw 190 this morning, and is this a lovely kit. Detail is superb, fit so far is excellent but on the downside the level of detail means there are a lot of sprue gates to clean up, and some of the parts, the undercarriage for instance, are so fine that removing them from the sprues is nerve wracking to say the least. The instructions can be a little difficult to follow in some places as well, they've improved in their more recent issues, and some of the detail painting suggestions are either questionable or non existent.

You can't help wondering if sometimes the designers are going "look how clever we are" and are not thinking about the people who have to manipulate some of these rather delicate parts. Still as said at the end of the day it's a lovely kit.

PR19_Kit · January 12, 2026, 06:30:17 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on January 12, 2026, 06:08:06 AMYou can't help wondering if sometimes the designers are going "look how clever we are" and are not thinking about the people who have to manipulate some of these rather delicate parts.

Exactly my thoughts too Chris. The two IBG PR Spitfire kits I have give me JUST that impression!

Charlie_c67 · January 12, 2026, 08:18:13 AM

Meanwhile, some of us are searching for somewhere to get back in!

NARSES2 · January 13, 2026, 01:44:44 AM

Quote from: Charlie_c67 on January 12, 2026, 08:18:13 AMMeanwhile, some of us are searching for somewhere to get back in!

Pass ?

Charlie_c67 · January 13, 2026, 04:24:39 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on January 13, 2026, 01:44:44 AM
Quote from: Charlie_c67 on January 12, 2026, 08:18:13 AMMeanwhile, some of us are searching for somewhere to get back in!

Pass ?

Err yeah. Not sure why I posted that here as it was in response to comments from those lucky enough to have retired. Clearly a brain fart on my part, apologies!

NARSES2 · January 14, 2026, 05:42:39 AM

Quote from: Charlie_c67 on January 13, 2026, 04:24:39 AM
Quote from: NARSES2 on January 13, 2026, 01:44:44 AM
Quote from: Charlie_c67 on January 12, 2026, 08:18:13 AMMeanwhile, some of us are searching for somewhere to get back in!

Pass ?

Err yeah. Not sure why I posted that here as it was in response to comments from those lucky enough to have retired. Clearly a brain fart on my part, apologies!

No problems

Meanwhile work continues on the IBG Fw 190 D-15 and I've started assembly. There are some errors in the instructions, miss-labelled parts etc and they can be a little confusing at times, but nothing drastic.

Now the fit of this kit, along with others of their's I've built, is exquisite. HOWEVER it all depends on you having got the previous part exactly in the right place. Any fractional miss-alignment will give you problems, ask me how I know

There are lots of parts in this kit that once fitted will never be seen again, indeed a few parts I can't for the life of me work out what they are or indeed what their purpose is. The biggest culprit regarding this is the engine. Yes, they supply a 15, or thereabouts part engine, which once assembled dissapears between the fuselage halves never to be seen again. Not unless you spend a lot of time opening panels and detailing it etc. Now its only contribution to the build is to hold the exhausts, and if you get these even slightly out it plays with the fuselage fit, again ask me how I know. I sorted it with the application of some brute force, but it's anoying that it's simply there in the first place as a "look at what we can do" part

So would I build another ? Certainly, but without the engine.

kitbasher · January 14, 2026, 07:18:14 AM

The FW190D-15 is a bit of a mythical (and rather sleek) beastie (did it actually exist or not?), but boy what a looker. I did it the hard way using an Airfix FW190D-9.

DogfighterZen · January 14, 2026, 02:39:49 PM

Good to know the IBG FW190 kit is good and i'm taking notes as i've recently bought their D-11.

The Wooksta! · January 14, 2026, 05:36:30 PM

I'm of the opinion that the top line is too pinched in. Just doesn't look right.

There were two D-15s, according to some information. The IBG kit should have the Ta 152 tail, which is what the D-15 was going to get.

NARSES2 · January 15, 2026, 12:57:53 AM

Quote from: The Wooksta! on January 14, 2026, 05:36:30 PMI'm of the opinion that the top line is too pinched in. Just doesn't look right.

There were two D-15s, according to some information. The IBG kit should have the Ta 152 tail, which is what the D-15 was going to get.

IBG offer markings for 3 options : The prototype/pre-production aircraft based on a rebuilt D-9 and 2 What If schemes.

NARSES2 · January 17, 2026, 04:58:46 AM

And then there was an airframe :-

You cannot view this attachment.

Quote from: NARSES2 on January 14, 2026, 05:42:39 AMThere are lots of parts in this kit that once fitted will never be seen again, indeed a few parts I can't for the life of me work out what they are or indeed what their purpose is. The biggest culprit regarding this is the engine. Yes, they supply a 15, or thereabouts part engine, which once assembled dissapears between the fuselage halves never to be seen again. Not unless you spend a lot of time opening panels and detailing it etc. Now its only contribution to the build is to hold the exhausts, and if you get these even slightly out it plays with the fuselage fit, again ask me how I know. I sorted it with the application of some brute force, but it's anoying that it's simply there in the first place as a "look at what we can do" part

OK I take it back, or some of it at least.

If you look up through the wheel wells once the wings are installed you can just make out the two lower engine bearers as they attach to the cockpit bulkhead. You still can't see the engine though

Talking of the wheel wells, if you use the etch they build up into a superb replica. However it is doubtful if I could have manipulated some of the supplied etch, 4 pieces per well, even before my eyesight started deteriorating and the "shakes" set in. $:-\$ So after looking at it for a bit, and even attempting the largest piece, I gave up. Hardly anyone, myself and anyone who sees a photo on here, will see the lack of it, so am I bothered ? Not at all

Rick Lowe · January 17, 2026, 04:52:58 PM

Detail that 'only you know is there' is akin to the manufacturer including it to say 'look what we can do'... $:-\$

There's not enough time to make all the things we want to, let alone spending more on stuff that won't ever be seen.

Old Wombat · January 19, 2026, 04:18:42 AM

Quote from: Rick Lowe on January 17, 2026, 04:52:58 PMDetail that 'only you know is there' is akin to the manufacturer including it to say 'look what we can do'... $:-\$

There's not enough time to make all the things we want to, let alone spending more on stuff that won't ever be seen.

Still, it's all personal choice.

I tend to do it & I'm happy.

Others don't & they're happy.

Horses for courses!

NARSES2 · January 19, 2026, 05:48:33 AM

Little bit more done this morning. A couple of joints did need some work, I'd missaligned a part which had a knock on effect

, but they were minor and a quick slosh with Mr Surfacer 500 fixed them

So although I'm busy this week, I should be able to get the 190 primed before my trip up North

Mind you I need to pop into my local hardware shop to get some white primer ? Will save time when it comes to the ID markings.

Rick Lowe · January 19, 2026, 08:05:19 PM

Quote from: Old Wombat on January 19, 2026, 04:18:42 AM
Quote from: Rick Lowe on January 17, 2026, 04:52:58 PMDetail that 'only you know is there' is akin to the manufacturer including it to say 'look what we can do'... $:-\$

There's not enough time to make all the things we want to, let alone spending more on stuff that won't ever be seen.

Still, it's all personal choice.

I tend to do it & I'm happy.

Others don't & they're happy.

Horses for courses!

Fair comment