1/48 Eduard Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3 (Work In Progress)....FINISHED

Looking very nice so far.  I was also under the impression that the interior was RLM 02.  I'm working on Tamiya's E3 right now, with a lot of resin additions.  I'm just finishing up my pit at the moment, and have an engine painted and built.  Next it's onto the fire wall while I wait for paint masks to arrive.  I think mine is going to be marked out for Adolph Galland in the end.

Looking forward to seeing this one come along.

and seems I'm mistaken, the deck of the cockpit and the instrument panel were normally done in 66, the rest in 02, from what I can see.  Could be wrong on that...

Alright Joe, bring on the Luftwaffe! Andrew is right, most cockpits up til early 41 were 02, but instrument panels were always 66. But I've seen emil pics and also BOB era Bf110s with dark 66 cockpits overall. So nothing is written in stone. Thats a pretty good looking kit cockpit.

That's really looking good,I have the desert version and hope to start it next year !!

Very well done. I especially like the harness.

Very nice.  I have this kit on the waiting shelf.  It will be my first 109 so I will be watching for the updates.  

Good luck, your off to a very good start.  Show me how it's done :)

Gord

Can't wait to see more of this. John

Hey Joe, looks good!  

Thanks guys.  So the Instrument panel was RLM 66 but the rest 02.....hummm.  Why did they include a PE side panel for the starboard side wall that is also RLM 66?.  It would be reasonable to think this should be RLM 02.  Ahhh shucks....who cares....lol.   They ran out of RLM 02 on the day this plane was built.

I did manage to get a little more work done last night.  I have intent to build this thing closed up so I skipped to page 10 of the instructions which shows you how to button it up.  You have to omit a few pieces, trim this....shave that and then the panels should fit in place.  I assembled the engine and painted it XF-1 Flat Black.  I added the exhaust stubs and painted them XF-64 Red Brown.  The whole thing was then drybrushed with Model Master Chrome Silver.   I like how it turned out and was almost sad that it would be hidden......almost.

The firewall and gun tray were assembled and painted RLM 02.  I painted everything because I wasn't sure what would or would not be seen on the final product.  I then began installing the assemblies into the starboard fuselage.  So far so good...

I added the tail wheel, upper insrtument cluster and then engine.  How about that detail on the instrument panel.  Its certainly better than anything I could paint.  Its almost too easy so far. 

I sealed the fuselage without issue.  Again, everything seems to be where it's supposed to be. 

I then started test fitting the engine and cowl panels.  No surprise that there will be issues here.  It appears that the upper gun cover will be short shot, just like their 190 kits.  I don't know if I will need a spacer bar or what.  I don't understand why Eduard can't get this area right?  Its the Achilles heel of these oherwise beautiful kits.  Newsflash Eduard, most modelers, except for diorama builders, like their planes buttoned up.  They just look better on the shelf.  So how about designging them accordingly.  They must have finally caught on since their Spitfire MK. IX is designed in the conventional manner....and is a breeze to build (shocker).  

Here we go again.  Let the cussing begin.....

Joe    

Is it possible for you to scoot the cockpit back a hair?  I've built 2 of these 109s buttoned up and haven't run into that fit issue.  I'm wondering, just based on your pic, if the IP coaming is getting in the way?  I can't remember if I omitted that part or not when I did mine.

I'll try it.  The pit is only spot glued in anticipation of "issues".  I'm still in the test fitting stage so hopefully its just something I have misaligned.  Your success is encouraging though Stu....

Joe

Ahh Joe, you just had to do an Emil and a very fine job so far I might add!

From what I can see your problem is your upper IP looks like it is sitting too high which would affect the sit of the upper gunbay cover. would it be possible to try to get the IP to sit a little lower in the cockpit by sanding the part the upper IP attaches to till the cowling finally sits flush?

lawdog114

I'll try it.  The pit is only spot glued in anticipation of "issues".  I'm still in the test fitting stage so hopefully its just something I have misaligned.  Your success is encouraging though Stu....

Joe

I build their 1/48 E-1 and like Disco, I didn't run into any cowl fit problems.

I'm sure you'll get the cowl squared away, Joe.   It'll be fine. 

Looking forward to the FW-190 A-5 you picked up on E-Bay.

(Just got off there myself where I picked up an Accurate Miniatures TBM-3 for $25.)

Gary

Joe, she's looking outstanding.  I've a few of these in my stash, actually the Royal boxing.  Just like you, BoB era is a fav topic.

For interior cockpit colour I'm finding the same as others have stated, with Nov. '41 being the date that mandated RLM 66 for interior.  

One  author/researcher has stated that 109's shot down over Britain were found to have some darker sections in the cockpit, namely the areas above the pilots shoulders.    This was  possibly to eliminate glare, and also to facilitate the darker camouflage when viewed from above.  Complete 66 cockpits also existed  on 109e frames, but this was likely dependent on the sub-contractor.

Whether this is what Eduard intended, or was just a cost saving measure on their part, only they know for certain.

regards,

Jack

Wow Joe! Another outstandiing build on the way! Simply awesome work bud. I'm sure you of all people will get that cowl issue worked out!

HA!  I can totally relate.  Eduard kits are gorgeous to the point that there's almost nothing to scratch build or pioneer your own with your build.  I'd say they're definitely not for your novice modeler either.  I always find some kind of spot around the MG/cockpit/Engine area that gets off it's mark and starts to go awry.

Good to hear about the Spitfire.  All the press about it looked as though they really did their homework on it.  This build is looking pretty sharp as always.  I did this one back almost a year ago.  I really enjoyed it.  Definitely helped challenge my painting abilities with the camo along the sides.  Looking forward to what you go with.

=]

Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement everyone.  I must have fiddled with the gun cover for an hour before plan B popped into my head.  I removed the cockpit and gun deck assembly (which was only spot glued in anyways) through the bottom.  I then assembled the front end, consisting of the engine cover, side pieces, and gun cover which now went together like a glove.  I actually like how all the panels are slightly misaligned with different panel line widths, which to me adds more realism.  I don't think all of these fit perfectly on the real machine anyways.  I then pushed the pit assembly back through the bottom and it almost clicked into place......problem solved (hopefully).  Remember this sequence should one build this kit.  It will save some aggravation.   The hollowed out MG barrels are a nice touch from Eduard, something not done on their 190 series. 

It was smooth sailing from here and I had the frame together in no time.  The wing roots were a nice fit and there was no need for any filler or trickery.  It reminded me of my blissful experience with their Spitfire MK. IX. 

I scribed in the upper and lower fuselage panel line (which I hate but am aware its supposed to be there) that runs the length of the fuselage. It was then dusted with a coat of Alclad Grey primer to check for imperfections.

I used XF-1 Flat Black to preshade the panel lines.  Did the mad riveter at Trumpeter jump ship and join the Eduard design team?  The preshading was certainly a chore on this airframe leaving my airbrush hand throbbing (my arm fell asleep twice).  Kidding aside, the surface detail on this frame is breathtaking and it is without a doubt the best looking Emil in this scale. 

I have to decide on a scheme soon...

Joe 

Joe,

Looking really good!  Did you ever pick up a new compressor?

Steve

Glad you overcame the cowl issue, I will make a mental note of your steps when building my E-3. Looking really good Joe!

Great work Joe. Glad you got the fit issue sorted out. Eduard rivets gotta look way better than trumpeter's craters! Their surface detail on the new Mig-21 is outstanding. So fine you can hardly see it except in certain light conditions.

More. Must have more.  Great work Joe

Thanks folks.  Steve, I'm still pluggin' away with the old compressor.  It seems to have miraculously fixed itself.  Gremlins?  I'll wait till it dies before I replace it.  How's your new one working out for you?

Joe

Joe,

I'm liking the new compressor but not getting much time to use it right now due to a crazy work schedule. Still plugging away on my B-26 Invader in the little bench time that I can fit in.

Steve

I'm in for a brief update.  I started on the paint scheme.  I ultimately decided on Pips Priller's 6/JG 51 mount from August of 1940, smack dab in the middle of the Battle of Britain.  I could say I wanted to pay homage to a great pilot who claimed 101 victories, to include 11 bombers, all while over the Western Front.  In reality, I just had to build the Emil with the Deranged Penguin on the side.  Actually, its both. 

I started by mixing up XF-3 Flat Yellow and a touch of XF-7 Flat Red to come up with my interpretation of RLM 04 Gelb.  I sprayed the nose. thusly...

I also sprayed the rudder RLM 04 too.  The nose was then taped it off and I started on the RLM 65.  I used Tamiya's recommendation of one part XF-23 Light Blue and one part XF-2 Flat White. 

I lightened the color with more white and added condensation streaks.  Now it was time to add more dimension to the lower sufrace.  I do this with a post shade mixture of dilluted XF-69 NATO Black and XF-64 Red Brown, cut with 91% Isopropyl.  I concentrate around the areas that get especially dirty, like the radiators, engine and shell chutes.  I then streak it backwards along the centerline to simulate grease and dirt from the engine.  This is about right but will probably do even more later in the build.

The profile Eduard provided showed that Priller's Emil had a hodge podge of colors in the wings.  It looks like a mix of RLM 02, 65, and 71 just randomly splotched down.  I don't know whether I'm going to try to replicate this or go with the more traditional splinter scheme which was obviously there before the camo was altered.  You can acually see it peeking through on Eduards profile.  For now, I sprayed down Gunze RLM 02 and then added the streaks as normal. 

It will be a few days before I have any more bench time so I can ponder this for a while. 

Joe   

Nice base paint work. Cant wait to see how you tackle the mottling on the wings and fuse.

Hey Joe, That is a gorgeous looking Emil. You are simply bringing out the best in that kit with your excellent skills. Nice save on the gun cowling.

Oh yeah Joe, I knew you'd do this 109 right, now it's time for me to take a cold shower.