Stripped-down Stork


text by Martin Waligorski
photos by Peter Alsterberg

 

André Kristoffersen is a modeller who isn’t easily put off by complex projects. This stripped-down model of Fieseler Fi-156 Storch is in 1/72nd scale!

 

 

The basis of the model is Eduards kit no.7008 Fieseler Fi 156 Storch ”Strip Down”. The kit is multimedia with the vast majority of parts produced in photo-etched brass.

André built the kit out-of-the-box, but there wasn’t really much to add – the number of parts and the level of detail included is self-evident!

Constructing from a photo-etched metal presents a different challenge to a modeller in comparison to injection-moulded kits. All components and subassemblies are much more fragile than plastic parts and require careful handling all the time. The mating surfaces between metal parts are generally very small or non-existent. Also, expect some alignment problems, as many parts need to be bent to shape, and they usually lack location tabs! Superglue with fine applicator and accelerator are essential tools to master.

As masking the entire photoetched model would be a delicate job, it is best to paint as many sub-assemblies as possible separately before they are joined together. Use of airbruch is an advantage as it covers complex multidimensional shapes easily. Also, an airbrush can produce a paint layer much thinner than would be achievable with a brush, helping to accentuate the crisp detail.

On André’s model, most of the airframe parts were airbrushed in RLM 02. Then the outer skin parts – slats, engine cowling and undercarriage struts were painted in ”African” Luftwaffe camouflage scheme of RLM 79 Sandgelb and RLM 80 Olivgrun.

 

 

This article was originally published in IPMS Stockholm Magazine in August 1999.