mustang1989

Folks...this one is now finished. I took today off to wrap it all up. Thank you to all who peeked in on and for all of the supportive and encouraging comments along the way.

I've been wanting to build this aircraft for a very long time and have had two in my stash. I really wished I wouldn't have gotten rid of my Dragon Me-262A-1a Nachtjager version but this Tamiya A-1 kit was a good kit to build. I had set out to build Franz Stigler's plane from JV-44 late in the war. I read Adam Makos' book , A Higher Call several years ago and he was one of the main people that the story centered around. Long story short....he was going to shoot down a severely shot up B-17 and decided to lead them out of Germany instead. Afterwards he was assigned to JV-44 (pretty much Germany's last remaining fully operational air defense unit which was made up of the very best remaining fighter pilots) where he flew this aircraft. If you haven't read this book I won't give anything away but I'll just say that is a very powerful read. The kit is one that has been around for a while from Tamiya: There are a couple of schemes that could've been his bird but this is the one here that I went with as it just looks so dang cool.... I used Vallejo acrylics to replicate the paint and went with Eagle Cals for 95% of the markings and Peddinghaus for the #3 numerals on the side. Note.....never use the Peddinhaus offerings. Other than the #3 the stencils and other markings were just way out of scale. I had some trouble with the windscreen ended up removing it, sanding the fuselage and windscreen joints to get a better fit but that was about the only problem I had out of this awesome kit. Anyhow....after 6+ months...here is the completed build:

Good looking track man. Like the subtle weathering.

Good lookin' bike. Nice!!

Man I've gotta hand to ya.....that is indeed some creative work. Well done bud.

Wow!!! You really nailed the look. Impressive!!!

That right there is a great haul Faust.

Dang it man!!! That......................looks bad a$$!!!! Very cool work Dan.

Thanks Rusty. We're going over to provide a meal for his family tonight and to check in on them. And yessir....you're right. It reminds us of what's REALLY important in this life.

That's a good lookin' Sherman Gerald!! I've always liked the looks of this track and have learned alot about them in the last few years. The book Spearhead by Adam Makos shed alot of good as well as alot of bad light on them. Great book if you ever get the chance to read it.....but then again....anything from Adam Makos is a good read.

Man that is really coming together nicely Marcos!!! Exceptional work potna!

I've been trying to make somewhat of a comeback as of late. Hobby time has been divided up into time spent on my bathroom renovation project as well as other household projects in addition to time spent on our vehicles. Then.....pretty much out of the blue this past week a very good friend of mine, Tommy Flournoy, had been in the hospital back and forth from the ICU to a step down room over the course of the last few months with lung issues that Covid had left him with. This is a guy who never got sick, never been to the hospital or even to the doctor for any concerns. He was doing alright through it all and looked like he was finally headed in the right direction and then all of a sudden it took a turn for the worst on last Monday. He passed away two days later on Wed. afternoon. One of the hardest things I've ever had to witness was his wife telling the kids after we drove her home. One of the very best men that I've ever met with a magnetic personality and you just couldn't help but to like him. What a loss to anyone who knows him and a total train wreck to those of us who were close. I'm a spiritual guy and know these things happen but somehow....this one here caught me off guard. Went to the funeral this past weekend and there were just as many laughs as there were tears. A really good send off for a REALLY good man. There's no question in my mind where he's really at right now and he's doing a whole lot better. His family and everyone else is sure gonna miss the guy down here though. A pic taken late last year....

I'd like to thank you guys as well. This is a great forum and is my "go-to" place for tips, techniques and to learn from some of the greatest builders not to mention the all around good folks that are on this forum. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to make this forum such a great place to visit.

Good ol' Tamiya build and it turned out great Albert!!! Love the color and details.

Thanks Francis! I am looking forward to getting this one done. May do another aircraft in the near future as I'm feeling a little more comfortable in my own skin with painting these days.

That turned out perfect Francis. Sometimes there's just no option but to go upwards with the mods as there just aint no room to go lower. lol . Very nicely done pal.

Been a bit since I've been in here. Lots happening here at home these days. LOTS!!! This will most likely be my last update till she's finished which aint all that far away. Still got the canopy to paint and install, gun bay panels to open up, aerial antennae and last little details to install. She's now on her feet.

Very VERY interesting and cool build. Never seen one of these before this thread.

Puttin' on a good show here Marcin. Love the Calvera bust as well.

Good start on this Lee!

Wow!! This outta be good!

I really appreciate that very generous comment Benton! I used stretched sprue for the aerial antennas. Thanks Tim! I've been wanting to go to that place. Get to see all the really cool stuff there.

That right there is gonna make for one sharp Maverick. Glad to see you back on this one Tim!!

This is lookin' good potna!!! Wow!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Mike ol' buddy!!