Japanese Solid Model Archive

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====== Focke-Wulf Fw 200 C-3 — Main Mockup ======

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[[en:authors:fukuda-kazu:fw200-c3:start|← Back to Fw 200 C-3 Index]] |
[[en:authors:fukuda-kazu:fw200-c3:nav|Contents]]
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This page presents the main mockup stage of Kazu Fukuda’s Focke-Wulf Fw 200 C-3 solid model.

The record follows the early construction process from material cutting, block shaping, fuselage interior work, canopy and cockpit details, gondola installation, engine nacelle fitting, and finally the completion of the mockup.

Unlike a simple gallery of finished work, this page shows how the overall form of a large multi-engine aircraft was gradually established as a wooden solid model.
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===== Main Mockup =====

==== January 17 — Material Cutting Completed ====

{{:en:authors:fukuda-kazu:fw200-c3:mock-1.jpg?nolink&500|Material cutting completed}}

Material cutting was completed on January 17.

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==== March 9 — Shaping of the Main Blocks ====

{{:en:authors:fukuda-kazu:fw200-c3:mock-2.jpg?nolink&400|Shaping of each block completed}}

The shaping of each block was completed on March 9.

{{:en:authors:fukuda-kazu:fw200-c3:mock-3.jpg?nolink&400|Temporary assembly of the main blocks}}

The parts were temporarily assembled to check the overall impression.  
They are not yet glued.

The object in the left foreground is a wooden form for heat-pressing the engine nacelles.  
The objects in the right foreground are wooden forms for heat-pressing the canopies for the cockpit, gondola, and gun positions.

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==== March 30 — Fuselage Interior Work ====

{{:en:authors:fukuda-kazu:fw200-c3:mock-4.jpg?nolink&400|Fuselage interior work}}

Detailed work on the fuselage began on March 30.

Five windows on each side of the fuselage were cut out.  
Inside the fuselage, five large fuel tanks and one oil tank were installed.

Although the interior would probably become dark and difficult to see after completion, tank-like components were still added.  
After this stage, the interior color would be painted, the window glass installed, and the roof block attached.

The nose section would be finished separately, including the cockpit interior and canopy glass.  
Finally, the nose and tail sections would be joined to the main fuselage.

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==== April 8 — Canopy, Seats, and Console ====

===== Canopy, Seats, and Console =====

{{:en:authors:fukuda-kazu:fw200-c3:canopy.jpg?nolink&600|Canopy, seats, and console}}

The cockpit canopy and nose section were temporarily fitted on April 8.  
They are not yet glued.

The seats were heat-pressed from plastic sheet.  
The seat on the far right is the captain’s seat, with armrests added.

The instrument panel was made from thin plastic sheet.  
The holes were opened with a pin vise and adjusted with a small round file.

The control wheel, consoles with various levers, and related details were arranged to give the correct impression.  
The levers were made by soldering brass wire and small plates.

Seat belts and foot bars still remained to be made.  
After that, the parts would be painted and the nose section would enter the final finishing stage.

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==== May 9 — Cockpit and Fuselage Interior Details ====

{{:en:authors:fukuda-kazu:fw200-c3:mock-5.jpg?nolink&400|Cockpit and fuselage interior details}}

On May 9, the instrument panel, control column, foot bars, console, and seats were installed in the nose section.

Inside the fuselage, five fuel tanks, one oil tank, and seats were installed.

The next step would be to attach the roof panel, side windows, and cockpit canopy.  
Once the roof panel was installed, the interior would become dark, and many of the internal details would probably be difficult to see.

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==== May 27 — Roof Panel, Side Windows, and Cockpit Canopy ====

{{:en:authors:fukuda-kazu:fw200-c3:mock-6.jpg?nolink&400|Side windows and cockpit canopy installed}}

On May 27, after attaching the fuselage roof panel, the five side windows on each side and the cockpit canopy were installed.

The gaps were corrected with polyester putty.

The openings for the gun positions in the nose and tail areas of the roof panel were temporarily covered with cellophane tape to prevent dust from entering.

The next step would be work on the lower gondola.

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==== June 3 — Gondola Installed ====

{{:en:authors:fukuda-kazu:fw200-c3:mock-7.jpg?nolink&400|Gondola installed}}

On June 3, the gondola was installed.

Inside the forward canopy, the base of the MG FF 20 mm cannon barrel and the Lotfe 7D bombsight were installed.  
Inside the rear semi-conical canopy, an MG 15 7.5 mm machine gun was installed.

The double gunsight for the MG FF was left off for the time being because it would interfere with later work.  
It was designed as a plug-in part that could be inserted into the gun barrel.

With this, the difficult fuselage work was almost complete.  
The next step would be to prepare the small parts around the engine cowlings and then attach them to the wing.

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==== June 17 — Engine Nacelles Attached to the Wing ====

{{:en:authors:fukuda-kazu:fw200-c3:mock-8.jpg?nolink&400|Engine nacelles attached to the wing}}

On June 17, the engine nacelles were attached and glued to the wing.

This photograph shows the underside of the wing.  
The undersides of the No. 1 and No. 4 engine nacelles were hollowed out because semi-recessed 250 kg bombs would be attached there.

After this stage, the rear fuselage, horizontal tail, and vertical tail blocks would be attached, bringing the mockup stage to a provisional completion.

The next major challenge would be soldering the landing gear, which was expected to take considerable time.

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==== June 21 — Tail Sections Attached ====

{{:en:authors:fukuda-kazu:fw200-c3:mock-9.jpg?nolink&400|Tail sections attached}}

On June 21, the rear fuselage, horizontal tail, and vertical tail were attached and fixed in place.

The gaps were corrected with polyester putty.

With this, the mockup was provisionally complete, and the next stage would be the difficult work around the landing gear.

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===== Mockup Completed =====

{{:en:authors:fukuda-kazu:fw200-c3:mock-10.jpg?nolink&700|Mockup completed}}

On June 21, the mockup was completed.

The outer wings and cowlings were temporarily assembled to check the overall impression.

Because the Fw 200 C-3 was a patrol bomber based on a passenger aircraft, it has a gentle form that is somewhat unusual for a German aircraft.

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[[en:authors:fukuda-kazu:fw200-c3:start|← Back to Fw 200 C-3 Index]] |
[[en:authors:fukuda-kazu:fw200-c3:02_landing_gear|Next: Landing Gear →]]
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