~~NOTOC~~
====== Fw 200 C-3 Construction Record — Chronology ======
===== Note =====
This page is a chronology intended to organize Kazu Fukuda’s construction record of the Fw 200 C-3 as closely as possible according to the actual sequence of work.
In the original forum records, and in the existing site that later compiled them, some materials were arranged by process or by component.
For that reason, the order in which the materials appear on the existing site does not necessarily represent the actual chronological order of construction.
In this archive, entries with confirmed dates in the text are given priority.
For entries without confirmed dates, their positions are assigned carefully by considering the wording of the text, the state of work visible in the photographs, and their relationship to preceding and following processes.
This page is a guide for reading the original record pages.
It does not replace the original source material.
===== Purpose of This Page =====
The purpose of this chronology is not simply to inherit the classification structure of the existing site.
Rather, it is to reread Fukuda’s construction process in a form that comes as close as possible to the actual progress of the work.
The Fw 200 C-3 construction record is not merely a presentation of a completed model.
It preserves many stages of work: material preparation, block shaping, interior construction, canopies, nacelles, propellers, engines, bombs, painting, and final assembly.
This chronology helps readers follow the following points.
* How the form of a large aircraft gradually emerged from a set of materials
* How the fuselage, wings, nacelles, interior equipment, and accessory parts were made in parallel
* How trial assembly, checking, correction, and waiting for drying occurred within the process
* How the final form was integrated through painting and final assembly
===== Record Navigation =====
[[en:records:fw200c3:start|Fw 200 C-3 Construction Record]]
｜ **Chronology**
｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:original_01|Original 01]]
｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:original_02|Original 02]]
｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:original_03|Original 03]]
｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:original_04|Original 04]]
｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:original_05|Original 05]]
｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:original_06|Original 06]]
｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:original_07|Original 07]]
Reading Pages:
[[en:records:fw200c3:reading_01|Reading 01]] ｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:reading_02|Reading 02]] ｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:reading_03|Reading 03]]
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===== Editorial Policy =====
This page treats the record in three layers.
==== 1. Records with Confirmed Dates ====
These are records in which the month and day are stated in the text.
They form the central basis for the chronological reconstruction on this page.
==== 2. Records without Confirmed Dates but with Inferable Positions ====
These are records for which no specific date has been confirmed, but whose position in the process can be inferred from the content.
Examples include painting, final assembly, and completed model photographs.
These are marked as “date unconfirmed” and placed in the most natural position within the construction process.
==== 3. Classification Names Used on the Existing Site ====
The existing site used classifications such as the following.
* Main mock-up
* Landing gear
* Nacelles & engines
* Spinner & propeller
* Gun & Other
* Painting & final assembly
* Completed model
These classifications are useful, but they do not necessarily indicate chronological order.
In this archive, the existing classifications are used as references, but the progress of the actual making process is given priority.
----
===== Levels of Certainty =====
The chronological placement of each item is indicated using the following levels of certainty.
^ Symbol ^ Meaning ^
| A | A date is confirmed in the text. |
| B | No date is confirmed, but the position in the process is almost certain. |
| C | The position is inferred from photographs, text, and surrounding context. |
| D | The position remains uncertain and requires further confirmation. |
This classification is not intended to force the record into an artificial order.
It is intended to make clear what is confirmed and what is editorially inferred.
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===== Overall Flow of the Construction Process =====
^ Stage ^ Main Process ^ Contents ^ Related Reading ^
| Stage 1 | Material preparation and basic blocks | Material preparation, shaping of blocks, trial assembly of the overall form | [[en:records:fw200c3:reading_01|Reading 01]] |
| Stage 2 | Fuselage interior and nose section | Interior work, cockpit, canopies, windows, gondola | [[en:records:fw200c3:reading_02|Reading 02]] |
| Stage 3 | Nacelles, propellers, and accessory parts | Cowlings, propellers, spinners, machine guns, interior fittings, bombs | [[en:records:fw200c3:reading_02|Reading 02]] |
| Stage 4 | Integration of wings, nacelles, and tail section | Nacelle installation, tail section installation, mock-up completion | [[en:records:fw200c3:reading_01|Reading 01]] |
| Stage 5 | Waiting period and preparation for painting | Putty drying, surfacer, national markings, unit codes | [[en:records:fw200c3:reading_03|Reading 03]] |
| Stage 6 | Painting and final assembly | RLM 65, RLM 72/73, markings, armament, propellers, completion | [[en:records:fw200c3:reading_03|Reading 03]] |
----
===== Chronological Table =====
^ Order ^ Date ^ Process ^ Contents ^ Certainty ^ Related Page ^
| 01 | January 17 | Material preparation | Material preparation for the Fw 200 C-3 construction was completed. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_01|Original 01]] |
| 02 | March 9 | Shaping and trial assembly of blocks | Shaping of each block was completed, and the parts were temporarily assembled without glue in order to check the overall impression. Engine nacelles and canopy formers can also be seen. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_01|Original 01]] |
| 03 | March 30 | Beginning of fuselage interior work | Windows on both sides of the fuselage were cut out, and parts resembling fuel tanks and oil tanks were installed inside. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_02|Original 02]] |
| 04 | April 8 | Trial fitting of cockpit canopy and nose section | The cockpit canopy and nose section were temporarily installed without glue. Seats, instrument panel, control column, levers, and related parts were made. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_02|Original 02]] |
| 05 | April 15 | Machine guns and accessory parts | Machine guns and mounts, including MG FF 20 mm, MG 131 13 mm, and MG 15 7.9 mm, were made. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_02|Original 02]] |
| 06 | April 24 | Painting and finishing of interior equipment | LOTFE 7D bombsight, instrument panel, console, control column, foot bar, machine guns, seats, FW 19 powered turret, and other parts were finished. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_02|Original 02]] |
| 07 | April 30 | Cowling construction | Cowlings were made by heat-pressing 1 mm plastic sheet. Because of the bulges for the supercharger intake ducts, the cowling was formed in two sections. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_03|Original 03]] |
| 08 | May 9 | Installation of nose section and fuselage interior | Instrument panel, control column, foot bar, console, and seats were installed in the nose section. Fuel tanks, oil tanks, seats, and other parts were also installed inside the fuselage. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_02|Original 02]] |
| 09 | May 20 | Beginning of spinner and propeller construction | Spinner blocks and propeller material blocks were prepared. Shaft holes, centerlines, and pitch shaping were worked on. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_04|Original 04]] |
| 10 | May 21 | Trial assembly of propellers | Propeller blades after pitch shaping were temporarily assembled with the spinners to check shape and attachment. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_04|Original 04]] |
| 11 | May 27 | Installation of fuselage ceiling part and windows | The fuselage ceiling part was installed. Left and right side windows and the cockpit canopy were attached, and gaps were corrected with polyester putty. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_02|Original 02]] |
| 12 | June 3 | Installation of gondola | The underside gondola was installed. The MG FF 20 mm machine gun base and LOTFE 7D were placed in the front canopy area, and an MG 15 was installed in the rear. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_02|Original 02]] |
| 13 | June 10 | Checking of engine nacelle parts | Cowlings, oil coolers, exhaust pipes, landing gear covers, and related parts were temporarily assembled to check their fit. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_03|Original 03]] |
| 14 | June 17 | Installation of engine nacelles on the wing | Engine nacelles were attached and glued to the wing. The undersides of the No. 1 and No. 4 nacelles were hollowed out for semi-recessed bombs. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_03|Original 03]] |
| 15 | June 21 | Installation of rear fuselage, tailplane, and vertical tail | The rear fuselage, tailplane, and vertical tail were installed, and gaps were corrected with polyester putty. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_03|Original 03]] |
| 16 | June 21 | Mock-up completed | Outer wings and cowlings were temporarily assembled to check the overall impression. The gentle form of a patrol bomber based on an airliner was confirmed. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_03|Original 03]] |
| 17 | Date unconfirmed | Landing gear | Work on the landing gear. It is positioned as the most difficult major task to be undertaken after completion of the mock-up. | C | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_05|Original 05]] |
| 18 | July 14 | Construction of BMW Bramo Fafnir 323 engines | Crankcase, gearbox, and cylinder blocks were made using synthetic wood and other materials. Thin enamel wire was wound around the cylinders to represent cooling fins. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_05|Original 05]] |
| 19 | July 19 | Four engines completed | Push rods, cylinder heads, plug wires, and other details were added, and the engines were painted in silver, black, and burnt iron colors. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_05|Original 05]] |
| 20 | July 20 | Detailed finishing of engines | The construction method for the four BMW Bramo Fafnir 323 engines was described in detail, including cylinders, bolts, ignition wiring, and push rods. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_05|Original 05]] |
| 21 | July 22 | Construction of SC500 bombs | Four SC500 bombs were made for suspension under the No. 1 and No. 4 engine nacelles and on the outer bomb racks. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_05|Original 05]] |
| 22 | After July 22 | Waiting for drying | After all accessory parts were completed, a sufficient drying period was allowed before surfacer painting in order to prevent later shrinkage or cracking in putty-shaped areas. | A | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_05|Original 05]] |
| 23 | Date unconfirmed | Resuming work and surfacer | Work resumed after about four months, using the gray type of Mr. Surfacer. | B | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_06|Original 06]] |
| 24 | Date unconfirmed | Preparation of national markings and unit codes | As an aircraft belonging to KG 40, unit code F8+AL, unit marking, Balkenkreuz, and other markings were prepared. | B | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_06|Original 06]] |
| 25 | Date unconfirmed | Underside color RLM 65 | The underside color RLM 65 was painted. After drying, masking was removed, revealing the Balkenkreuz and F8+AL. | B | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_06|Original 06]] |
| 26 | Date unconfirmed | Bomb racks, landing lights, and pitot tube bases | Bomb racks, landing lights, and pitot tube sockets were attached to the underside of the wing. | B | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_06|Original 06]] |
| 27 | Date unconfirmed | Upper colors RLM 72/73 | RLM 72/73 camouflage for maritime operations aircraft was painted, and masking for national markings, unit codes, unit marking, and windows was removed. | B | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_07|Original 07]] |
| 28 | Date unconfirmed | Installation of cowlings, oil coolers, and engines | Cowlings, oil coolers, and the previously completed engines were installed. | B | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_07|Original 07]] |
| 29 | Date unconfirmed | Machine guns, antenna, and vents | A 13 mm machine gun was installed in the upper nose turret, a 20 mm machine gun in the front of the gondola, and an antenna mast, air intake, and ventilation openings were added to the upper fuselage. | B | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_07|Original 07]] |
| 30 | Date unconfirmed | Rear rotating machine gun and sliding canopy | The 7.9 mm rotating machine gun and sliding canopy on the rear upper fuselage were installed. | B | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_07|Original 07]] |
| 31 | Date unconfirmed | Markings on the vertical tail | Mission marks and ship-sinking marks were painted on the vertical tail. | B | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_07|Original 07]] |
| 32 | Date unconfirmed | Final assembly and completion | After all accessory parts were installed, the propellers were attached last, completing the model. | B | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_07|Original 07]] |
| 33 | Date unconfirmed | Completed model photographs | Photographs of the completed model, including left front, right front, right side, and top views. | B | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_07|Original 07]] |
----
===== Correspondence with Original Record Pages =====
^ Original Record ^ Main Period ^ Main Contents ^ How to Read ^
| [[en:records:fw200c3:original_01|Original 01]] | January 17, March 9 | Material preparation, shaping of blocks, trial assembly | Read this as the starting point of the completed form. |
| [[en:records:fw200c3:original_02|Original 02]] | March 30 to June 3 | Fuselage interior, cockpit, canopies, machine guns, interior equipment, gondola | Read how hidden interior and details support the outer form. |
| [[en:records:fw200c3:original_03|Original 03]] | April 30 to June 21 | Cowlings, nacelles, attachment to the wing, tail section, mock-up completion | Read when and how the overall form comes into being. |
| [[en:records:fw200c3:original_04|Original 04]] | May 20 to May 21 | Spinners, propellers, shafts, pitch shaping | Read the precision and structural judgment in small parts. |
| [[en:records:fw200c3:original_05|Original 05]] | Date unconfirmed, July 14 to July 22 | Landing gear, engines, bombs, accessory parts, waiting for drying | Read the density of a large aircraft and the decision to wait before painting. |
| [[en:records:fw200c3:original_06|Original 06]] | Date unconfirmed | Surfacer, national markings, unit codes, underside color, small parts on wing underside | Read the first half of painting and the integration of markings. |
| [[en:records:fw200c3:original_07|Original 07]] | Date unconfirmed | Upper colors, cowlings, engines, machine guns, antenna, propellers, completion | Read how part groups are integrated into the completed form. |
----
===== Correspondence with Reading Pages =====
^ Reading Page ^ Main Subject ^ Central Question ^ Related Original Records ^
| [[en:records:fw200c3:reading_01|Reading 01 — How Did the Overall Form Emerge?]] | Material preparation, trial assembly, nacelle installation, mock-up completion | At what stage does the completed form begin to appear? | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_01|Original 01]], [[en:records:fw200c3:original_03|Original 03]] |
| [[en:records:fw200c3:reading_02|Reading 02 — Hidden Interior and Detail Work]] | Fuselage interior, canopies, machine guns, propellers, engines, bombs | How do hidden areas and small parts contribute to the completed form? | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_02|Original 02]], [[en:records:fw200c3:original_04|Original 04]], [[en:records:fw200c3:original_05|Original 05]] |
| [[en:records:fw200c3:reading_03|Reading 03 — Waiting and Integration into the Completed Form]] | Waiting for drying, painting, markings, final assembly, completion | What kind of judgment is gathered into completion? | [[en:records:fw200c3:original_05|Original 05]], [[en:records:fw200c3:original_06|Original 06]], [[en:records:fw200c3:original_07|Original 07]] |
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===== Reading by Process =====
==== 1. From Material Preparation to Mock-Up ====
The process begins with material preparation on January 17 and proceeds to the shaping and trial assembly of blocks on March 9.
At this stage, the main concern is not detailed work, but checking the basic mass and arrangement of a large aircraft.
By the completion of the mock-up on June 21, the outer wings and cowlings had been temporarily assembled and the overall impression was checked.
At this point, Fukuda saw the “gentle form” of a patrol bomber based on an airliner.
This phrase is important for reading the construction record.
It shows that he was not merely making parts, but confirming the character of the aircraft as a form.
==== 2. Fuselage Interior and Nose Section ====
From March 30 to June 3, work concentrated on the fuselage interior, nose section, cockpit, canopies, windows, and gondola.
Parts such as fuel tanks, oil tanks, seats, instrument panel, bombsight, and machine guns were installed even though they would be difficult to see clearly after completion.
This process was not merely for visible appearance after completion.
By constructing the interior, Fukuda also supported the persuasiveness of the outer form.
==== 3. Parallel Construction of Part Groups ====
The machine guns on April 15, interior equipment on April 24, cowlings on April 30, spinners and propellers from May 20, and engines and bombs in July were made in parallel with work on the main body.
This record shows that construction did not proceed in a single straight line.
Instead, Fukuda moved back and forth among multiple groups of parts.
In the construction of a large aircraft, the overall form is created not only by the main body, but also by machine guns, canopies, engines, propellers, landing gear, bombs, and other parts.
==== 4. Integration of Wings, Nacelles, and Tail Section ====
On June 10, the parts around the nacelles were temporarily assembled.
On June 17, the engine nacelles were attached to the wings.
On June 21, the rear fuselage, tailplane, and vertical tail were installed, and the mock-up was completed.
At this stage, the collection of materials and parts began to appear as a single aircraft.
==== 5. Engines, Bombs, and Waiting for Drying ====
From July 14 to July 20, the BMW Bramo Fafnir 323 engines were made.
Synthetic wood, brass wire, enamel wire, and other materials were used to construct the crankcase, gearbox, cylinders, ignition wiring, push rods, and other details.
On July 22, four SC500 bombs were made, and all accessory parts were completed.
At this point, Fukuda did not proceed immediately to painting.
Instead, he allowed time for drying in order to prevent later shrinkage or cracking in the putty-shaped areas.
This was a decision not to rush toward completion, but to anticipate the future condition of the surface.
==== 6. Painting and Final Assembly ====
The painting process began after a four-month pause.
The work proceeded through surfacer, national markings, unit codes, unit marking, RLM 65 underside color, and RLM 72/73 upper colors.
After that, cowlings, oil coolers, engines, machine guns, antenna, vents, rear rotating machine gun, sliding canopy, and propellers were installed, leading to completion.
At this stage, individual parts ceased to be merely separate parts.
They were integrated into the single aircraft form of the Fw 200 C-3.
----
===== Existing Classifications and Their Treatment in This Chronology =====
^ Existing Classification ^ Treatment in This Chronology ^ Main Period ^
| Main mock-up | Read as the central material from material preparation to mock-up completion. | January 17 to June 21 |
| Gun & Other | Machine guns and interior equipment are read as April processes; bombs are read as a July parallel process. | April 15, April 24, July 22 |
| Nacelles & engines | Cowlings and nacelles are read as April to June processes; engines are read as July processes. | April 30, June 10, July 14 to July 20 |
| Spinner & propeller | Read separately as a May construction process and as final installation immediately before completion. | May 20 to May 21, immediately before completion |
| Landing gear | Detailed date unconfirmed. Treated as a difficult major task after mock-up completion and before painting. | Date unconfirmed |
| Painting & final assembly | Read as the resumed work after the drying period. | Date unconfirmed |
| Completed model | Treated as photographic documentation after completion. | Date unconfirmed |
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===== Particularly Important Points in This Chronology =====
==== 1. Construction of a Large Aircraft Does Not Proceed in a Straight Line ====
In the Fw 200 C-3 record, work on the fuselage, canopies, interior, machine guns, cowlings, propellers, engines, bombs, and painting overlaps in a complex way.
Therefore, if the classification of the existing site is read as-is, the progress of construction becomes difficult to understand.
Returning the record to chronological order makes it easier to see what Fukuda was judging at each stage.
==== 2. Trial Assembly and Checking Appear Repeatedly ====
This record includes repeated trial assembly, temporary installation, and checking of attachment conditions.
This shows that solid model making is not simply a matter of carving.
It is a process that constantly proceeds while checking the relationship between each part and the whole.
==== 3. Hidden Areas Are Also Built in Detail ====
Fuel tanks, oil tanks, seats, bombsight, and machine guns inside the fuselage may not be sufficiently visible after completion.
Even so, they were made in detail.
This is one of the values of the record.
It preserves decisions and work that cannot be seen from completed photographs alone.
==== 4. Waiting for Drying Is Not an Interruption but a Decision ====
After completing the accessory parts on July 22, Fukuda did not proceed immediately to painting.
He allowed a drying period in order to prevent shrinkage or cracking in the putty-shaped areas.
This was not a simple pause in work.
It was a decision to wait while anticipating the condition of the completed surface.
This point is especially important in reading the Fw 200 C-3 construction record.
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===== Unconfirmed Points and Matters for Future Verification =====
This chronology is a provisional reconstruction based on the materials currently available.
The following points should be confirmed in the future in order to improve the accuracy of the archive.
* The year of each record
* Original forum post numbers
* Detailed dates for the landing gear process
* Date of resuming painting
* Completion date
* Correspondence between each image file name and the chronological table
* Relationship between the existing site classifications and the original forum posting order
In particular, the landing gear process and the painting/completion process require further confirmation of dates.
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===== Archival Note =====
This page does not replace the original source material.
The original source material should preserve Fukuda’s post text and images as closely as possible as a source layer.
This page is a guide for rereading that source material chronologically.
Therefore, on the original record pages, it is desirable to preserve the original text, images, dates, and post numbers as much as possible, and to make them referable from this chronology.
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===== Navigation =====
[[en:records:fw200c3:start|← Fw 200 C-3 Construction Record]]
｜ **Chronology**
｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:original_01|Original 01]]
｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:original_02|Original 02]]
｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:original_03|Original 03]]
｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:original_04|Original 04]]
｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:original_05|Original 05]]
｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:original_06|Original 06]]
｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:original_07|Original 07]]
Reading Pages:
[[en:records:fw200c3:reading_01|01]] ｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:reading_02|02]] ｜ [[en:records:fw200c3:reading_03|03]]