1:48 ICM Bf 109 F-2; Newbie's First Post

Welcome aboard! Unfortunately, your pics didn't come thru. Enjoy your first build!

Andy

Ditto on the no show pics. Welcome to the Forums! Glad to have you aboard!

Jim 

If you're using photo bucket on your pictures you'll need to switch/use the link to use the "img" code.  These are a great bunch of people here.  I've been back in the hobby about 5 months now and they're a wealth of information.  Looking forward to seeing your post.  Raymond

Thank you all for the warm welcome 

I actually posted direct link to the images on Imgur.com, didn't realize that [img] tags were usable in the FSM forums since I was posting from my phone (no advanced post editor in the mobile site). I edited my first post and fixed it so the images display now.

I haven't been on many forums other than Reddit for a while now (thus, my preference for Imgur rather than Photobucket).

And I do apologize for the orientations of the pictures being weird, I took the pictures, uploaded them to Imgur, and made my first forum post all on my phone as my laptop was charging.

I got the Bf109 because of my current obsession with dogfighting history. I read a lot online about Erich Hartmann, and the legendary JG52 (the two highest scoring aces after Hartmann were also 109 G-6 drivers in JG52).

Also bought two books on the Battle of Britain as well as Il2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey for xBox. I just can't get enough "dakka-dakka". 

I just think they're the coolest planes ever. It was an innovative airframe (even though they were cramped and was generally dangerous to fly), flown by some of the best interceptors in history, and always a sight to behold when they drop in behind you. My favorite would have to be the G6, but I think the F2 is close enough, the other models in the shop were Emils.

As for plans for the model:

-planning on making an antenna aerial out of a piece of spruce warmed over a candle.

-I would love to do NMS (I am obsessed with this 109 G6 build in 1:32) but don't have an airbrush, so if I foil the model, what are some ways to do it (thinking of doing it panel by panel for optimal detail, and easier to apply the glue nicely), and if I scuff it up in one direction to simulate brushed metal, how well will paint stick?

-This model has some engine detail, which I would want to show off in the finished display (under a clear case, since I want to keep it looking nice). I'm thinking of displaying it with the gear up and banked simulating a low flyby. Would it make sense to have one side of a cowling omitted? (Maybe it fell off mid flight due to combat damage or lack of maintenance?)

Either way, just day dreaming about the build a lot, don't have time to actually sit down and start yet. Engineering school work has been keeping me busy. 

Nice kit, just watch the wingroot gap. I built the same kit and it had a big gap that needed allot of filling and sanding. Maybe a fuselage spreader would have been better.

Also the nice engine does not fit inside the cowling, had to cut off some bits to close the cowl.

Theuns

Howdy Atl,

Based upon your self description of lack of experience, I'd stay away from the NMF for the time being. It is definitely a great look, and that G that you linked to is beautiful. That said, NMF shows every flaw, and so I'd think a paint job would be a bit easier to pull off at this stage.

If you want to push forward with foil, I;ve had good luck with Bare Metal Foil, it comes with adhesive attached and a couple of shades so you can get that different panel by panel look.

Good luck and post up your progress!

Welcome, not familiar w/ICM kit but your choice of subjects is the best.  Some consider the Friedrich as the best dogfighter in the 109 stable.