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Messerschmitt BF109 GB 2012

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  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Monday, November 19, 2012 8:23 AM

Again, this is a 1/72 product from RPM in Poland.

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Monday, November 19, 2012 8:17 AM

Below are photos of the finished product.  I used a dark blue pin wash to emphasize the recessed panels in the RLM 65 areas.  I used a straight black pin wash in the 02 and 71 areas.  These were mixed up from Apple Barrel craft paints (cheap and easily available).

The aircraft is not identified on the Casper decal sheet, but research on the web shows it to be the personal aircraft of Staffelkapitaen Oberleutnant Fritz Losigkeit.  He commanded 2./26 at Werl (where’s that?) in March, 1940.  Here’s his photo.

He seems to be famous enough to have his bio on Wikipedia, which says he claimed his first aerial victory on 28 May, 1940, and achieved four more by 15 September, 1940 (BoB Day) during the Battle of Britain.  He was born in 1913, survived the war, and died in 1994, age 80.

From this site

http://wingsfinearts.worldsecuresystems.com/darryl-legg/abbeville-boys-jg-26-the-luftwaffe-trilogy

in his own words:

 I was born on 17 November 1913 in Berlin, where I received my schooling. Right from the beginning, I wanted to become a pilot, often busying myself constructing model airplanes. In 1930, three years before graduating from school, I began glider training in a Berlin Aero-Club. As a means towards becoming a pilot, I joined the German State Police, as an Officer Cadet, in April 1934, the academy later being taken over by the Air Force. My pilot training began in 1936 and I was promoted to Leutnant. Following qualification as a pilot, I was posted to the Reconnaissance School at Tutlow. Then, on 15 October 1936, was transferred to JG132 “Richthofen” where I learned elementary fighter tactics.

On 15 March 1938, I was posted to Spain, to the 3rd Squadron of Fighter Unit 88, 3./JG88, under Oberleutnant Galland, to fly the He 51 ground attack biplane. Galland was later replaced by Molders who, leading the second flight on 31 May 1938, witnessed my aircraft being hit by anti-aircraft fire near Villar. I bailed out at very low level and landed in no-man’s land, the remainder of my comrades flying repeated missions close by to deter the enemy from approaching me. However, I was taken prisoner, an unpleasant experience, as we were considered to be mercenaries; I was lucky to escape death. I escaped in February 1939 and finally returned to Germany via France.

On 23 September 1939, after a short holiday, I was then given command of 2./JG26 “Schlageter” in Cologne. In May 1940, we moved to the Channel Coast at Audembert, near Wissant, from where we flew operations against England, often up to 5 missions per day. During this period, I received my 100 missions golden clasp and Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class. I remained with my 2nd Squadron until 17 May 1941, with promotion to Hauptmann on 1 March, after which I was sent to Japan as a diplomatic courier. However, when Germany attacked Russia, I could not return home, so I was attached to the Japanese Army Air Force, where I flew fighter tactic missions on the Mitsubishi 96 and also trained Japanese pilots on one of three Me 109s.

After an eventful sea journey in a blockade breaker, I arrived back in Berlin on 16 January 1942 and was attached to the Staff of “General of the Fighter Arm” for the Channel Breakthrough of the German Fleet. After a short spell of operations in Norway, leading a specially formed unit tasked with the protection of the battleship “Scharnhorst”, I was ordered to form a new fighter Gruppe in Berlin, IV./JG1 (later I./JG1), in March 1942 I led this Gruppe in the West as Kommandeur until 31 May 1943. Our tasks included attempts to intercept British Mosquitoes and combat missions against American bombers, including the B-17 “Fortress”, which often had a powerful fighter escort. On 1 March 1943, I was promoted to Major. I then spent the short period 1 to 23 June 1943 as Gruppenkommandeur I./JG26 in the East, before they were transferred back to France.

On 24 June 1943,1 took over as Gruppenkommandeur IV./JG51 “Molders” on the Central Eastern Front. The Battle of Kursk soon developed into the Battle of Orel which started on 5 July 1943 and, on 5 August, it fell to the Russians. During this period, we were involved in very heavy fighting with a constantly strengthening enemy, and we were often not able to replace our losses. In November, I was awarded the German Cross in Gold and, on 1 April 1944, I took over as Kommodore JG51 “Molders”. I remained in this command, with my Fighter Wing constantly moving westward, until 31 March 1945, when I received orders to transfer to Czechoslovakia to take over as Kommodore JG77. On 28 April 1945, I was awarded the Knight’s Cross. A hectic period of operations in Czechoslovakia followed, where I was ordered to form a special unit from all available aircraft of all types, for ground attack operations. I was also frequently a Gefectsverband Leader, a special formation designed to intercept a bomber force with fighter protection.

On 8 May 1945, I gave the order to fly westwards and we entered American captivity in Regensburg. I had flown 750 missions in East and West, and scored 68 aerial victories, of which 11 were in the West, including a B-17 bomber.

Also on that website was a jollier photo.

I've sometimes had problems with Photobucket if I put too many pictures in one post, so I'll spread the rest over a couple more posts.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Thursday, November 15, 2012 3:36 PM

Paint progress:  undersurface, RLM 65.

Wheel wells:  RLM 02

Fuselage spine:  RLM 02

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 10:08 PM

While the paint is going on and drying, I gave some attention to the small, fiddly bits.  Here’s the landing gear.  I airbrushed RLM 66, based on the 1/48 Eduard kit review, published in FSM in September this year.  It was hard to tell, but that’s the color apparently used by the reviewer.

I brush painted the tires with a lightened acrylic black (Apple Barrel craft paint) and highlighted the raised surfaces of the gear legs and the tires with a dry-brush and used a black acrylic wash in the recesses.

Here are the last of the remaining small parts.

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 7:35 PM

PilotSpike

Effectively. I did a race car model 20 years ago or so as a teenager but didn't make it a hobby or get any real skill out of it. I decided to try my hand at this for real last year when I found myself in dire need of a hobby that wouldn't care if I could only spend an hour here or there.  So, yeah, effectively this is my second model in a new hobby to me.

I didn't tell you earlier but good job on your plane man. Dude you are about to enter into a world of endless possibilities with scale modelling. Youre doing great!

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    February 2010
Posted by PilotSpike on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 2:28 PM

Effectively. I did a race car model 20 years ago or so as a teenager but didn't make it a hobby or get any real skill out of it. I decided to try my hand at this for real last year when I found myself in dire need of a hobby that wouldn't care if I could only spend an hour here or there.  So, yeah, effectively this is my second model in a new hobby to me.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 8:17 PM

There are exceptional results happening on this build.  They are good motivation to improve.  I appreciate seeing them

Back with my E-1, another little glitch is this bar (or whatever it is) that passes down the centerline of the wings.  It doesn’t line up with the end of the bar molded to the rear fuselage.  I cut a piece of styrene rod, glued it in and sanded away till it fixed the mismatch.

The wing-fuselage joint also needed some work.

After I finished up with that, I moved on to the canopy.   Here it is, masked and installed.  I merely state the obvious that I used little strips of masking tape, and then filled in with MicroMask.  I attached the canopy with diluted white glue.  If you look closely, you can see the odd bump in the molding inside the canopy, right where the windscreen meets front and side glass panels.

Wings are now installed, gaps are filled (I used diluted white glue as a filler around the wing roots, stabilizers and engine cowling).  The wing root on the port fuselage was longer than the wing itself and had to be sanded down.  The starboard wing and wing root lined up nearly perfectly.  Go figure. 

To mask the propeller back plate, I first wrapped it with a strip of masking tape, then pushed some poster tack over the top of it.

I re-drilled the gun ports.  What I didn’t know before starting the project was that E-1’s carried two machine guns in the wings, not the 20mm cannon.  Some E-1’s were upgraded to an E-3 configuration before the Battle of Britain, but from what I found on the net, the particular plane I’m building was not altered, at least at Dunkirk, the time frame for the markings.  Model building is educational. And thanks to Jack, for the lesson on how to turn an E-3 into an E-1.

I'll be putting the paint on next.  I estimate each color will take a day to apply and dry, so maybe three days total.

Thanks for looking.

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Monday, November 12, 2012 10:31 PM

Reasoned

Pilot Spike very nice looking Emil!  Only the 2nd one. Surprise

Joe, I absolutely love that cannon and want to marry............. oh well, you all know. Wink

HAHAHAHA . Holy Crap! yeah I do! Thanks for the comments buddy, Joe

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Bent River, IA
Posted by Reasoned on Monday, November 12, 2012 10:08 PM

Pilot Spike very nice looking Emil!  Only the 2nd one. Surprise

Joe, I absolutely love that cannon and want to marry............. oh well, you all know. Wink

Science is the pursiut of knowledge, faith is the pursuit of wisdom.  Peace be with you.

On the Tarmac: 1/48 Revell P-38

In the Hanger: A bunch of kits

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Monday, November 12, 2012 8:38 PM

Thanks Geof. It took me forever to find something I could scratchbuild belt links with!!!! Finally I settled on the aluminum tape. Holy crap! It took me 3 hours to fabricate the first one because the aluminum tape I cut was either too wide, too long, not long enough.......... Jeez I finally cut the stuff just the right dimensions and tada! It was perfect. I had alot of walls to hurdle with this kit but after 10 months it yielded a decent build. As I mentioned in the "does your wife support your hobby" thread my wife just looks at me , smiles and says,"Youre crazy." and really appreciates the time put in to this thing. Any how with all of that said, setbacks, "walls" , or whatever I wanna call them, one thing is true: I had a blast building this thiing. Thanks again Geof.

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • From: Colorado Springs
Posted by Geof on Monday, November 12, 2012 7:02 PM

mustang1989

Thanks to all for the comments on the birdie. I thank all of you who are constantly giving me ideas as well as the conversations back and forth. It's great to be able to talk with and identify with people who are in this hobby.  I forgot to add the pics of the wing cannon and ammo belt that I detailed. The rounds are made out of 1/35 scale 40mm rounds cut down in length and the belt links were made out of aluminum tape that I cut out , painted and applied to the rounds. I installed the belt assy onto the aircraft and weathered them a bit. I was happy with the results. Again thank you guys for being here, Joe

SWEET! I didn't see this when it was posted! Nice work Joe!!

Photobucket

On the Bench: Tamiya's 1/48 A-10a Thunderbolt 

In the Hangar:  Hmmm???

 

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • From: Colorado Springs
Posted by Geof on Monday, November 12, 2012 7:00 PM

John,

Second model ever?? Well done!

Photobucket

On the Bench: Tamiya's 1/48 A-10a Thunderbolt 

In the Hangar:  Hmmm???

 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Monday, November 12, 2012 4:17 PM

Somehow missed the photo of the underwing cannon, Joe.  Nice detailing.  Haven't seen anything like this before.  Creative use of those 1/35 size shells.

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Monday, November 12, 2012 3:59 PM

Nice looking 109.  Good effect with the extended wing slats.  

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2010
Posted by PilotSpike on Monday, November 12, 2012 3:50 PM

Well it took a long time to post, I actually finished in August. I have no photography setup so the photos are not all that great.

With respect to the model though I am very happy, especially considering its really only my second one.

John

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Monday, November 12, 2012 12:16 PM

Thanks to all for the comments on the birdie. I thank all of you who are constantly giving me ideas as well as the conversations back and forth. It's great to be able to talk with and identify with people who are in this hobby.  I forgot to add the pics of the wing cannon and ammo belt that I detailed. The rounds are made out of 1/35 scale 40mm rounds cut down in length and the belt links were made out of aluminum tape that I cut out , painted and applied to the rounds. I installed the belt assy onto the aircraft and weathered them a bit. I was happy with the results. Again thank you guys for being here, Joe

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Monday, November 12, 2012 2:47 AM

Actually the E-1 and E-3 shared the same canopy style.  The difference would be in the wing armament.  The  E-1 had machine guns in the wings, while the E-3 had 20mm cannons,hence the visible barrels.  

To backdate, you'd have to remove the underside cannon bulges and relocate the holes for the machine guns (they were more inboard in relation to the cannon).  Luckily the original ejection chutes are still visible.   Topside seems to be ok for detail.  I imagine  the lines for the panel on the wing leading edge (where the cannons were located) would have to be filled in.

regards,

Jack

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Sunday, November 11, 2012 8:17 PM

Thanks for the comment, Jack.

Shock and awe at 19.99!  Not worth that much, I don't think.  I got mine from Squadron several months ago, and it was much cheaper.

You may be right about the moulds; the kit apparently dates back to the mid-90's, and has its roots in a 109T put out by a company called FACE.

www.scalemates.com/.../product.php

I wonder:  can an E-1 be back-dated from an E-3?  I understand the two had different style canopies, but that some E-1's were upgraded.  I still have at least one set of E-1 markings from Xtradecals BoB sheet.

On the other hand, another RPM kit would let me make more corrections.

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Sunday, November 11, 2012 4:46 PM

cmking02 - man that really looks to be a bear of a kit, but appears you are wrestling it into proper shape.

I'm always cautious of lesser known manufacturers.  I don't know if the ill fitting parts is a lack of quality control during casting, or second hand molds (perhaps both).   I spotted this kit on Amazon with an asking price of 19.99 while the Tamiya E-3 was only 11.04  - I hope you got a better deal.

regards,

Jack

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Sunday, November 11, 2012 12:50 PM

Unfortunately, what it didn’t occur to me to check, was whether the hole for the shaft was properly sited.  It wasn’t, and neither was the backing plate big enough to cover completely the front of the fuselage.   Live and learn.  If the kit becomes available again, I’ll know better next time and take steps to correct it.

I made some seat belts out of masking tape and added them—my only concession to upgrading the cockpit.  I found inconsistent sources on the web for the placement of the shoulder harness—some showing the belts coming over the seat back; others through the seat.  I chose the latter.

Next up will be attaching the wing to the fuselage.  From test-fitting, I can see that this will take some fussing and filling and sanding.

Thanks for looking and for your comments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Sunday, November 11, 2012 12:44 PM

Thanks, Geof; this too is good to know.  Actually, it's now so dark in there ya can't even see in.

Well, what with all this excitement on other threads, I almost forgot the Messerschmitt.

The engine cover is a separate piece that sits on top of the lower fuselage and exhausts.  And of course, the propeller shaft has to pass through, which means it (the shaft) has to be trapped between the upper and lower engine cowl.  I decided to glue the cowl down first, then pass the propeller shaft through from the back, and attach it with the propeller backing plate.

But first, you can see that the upper half of the cowl overhangs the lower half.  This will need to be sanded flush.

Engine cowl and backing plate finished.  I stuck some masking tape on the end of the paintbrush in the foreground, picked up the prop shaft with it, and fiddled around until the shaft came through the hole.  Then I pushed on the backing plate and glued it with superglue.  I only added the cockpit after getting the propeller backing plate on.  It took some minor surgery on the interior fuselage sides to get the cockpit to settle in.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: MN
Posted by Nathan T on Saturday, November 10, 2012 9:48 PM

Pzl thats cool, working on painting up 3 109s off and on, I screwed up the upper wing crosses on one so it stalled my builds for awhile, but I can always post pics after I correct the screw up.

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Bent River, IA
Posted by Reasoned on Saturday, November 10, 2012 8:56 PM

pzl66

Sorry gents for the long time departure. I have been checking in and after reading some of your posts I will be turning this GB into an on going build. No end date! Want to join? Just jump right on in!

Yes

Science is the pursiut of knowledge, faith is the pursuit of wisdom.  Peace be with you.

On the Tarmac: 1/48 Revell P-38

In the Hanger: A bunch of kits

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Saturday, November 10, 2012 6:00 PM

This is fantastic news as I don't see myself being done at the end of the year.  I've also several other 109 subjects I want to do, and recently received Zvezda's 1/72 F-2 ... looks to be a real gem of a kit.

regards,

Jack

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: AZ
Posted by Luft Modeler on Saturday, November 10, 2012 5:51 PM

Sorry gents for the long time departure. I have been checking in and after reading some of your posts I will be turning this GB into an on going build. No end date! Want to join? Just jump right on in!

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • From: Colorado Springs
Posted by Geof on Saturday, November 10, 2012 3:20 PM

Some good looking work going on here guys! Checkmate, don't fully close up that hole. It a primary intake I'm pretty sure for the oil cooler. If anything it should have a little vertical "fin" in the center... Looking forward to seeing the rest of the build.

Photobucket

On the Bench: Tamiya's 1/48 A-10a Thunderbolt 

In the Hangar:  Hmmm???

 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Saturday, November 10, 2012 10:51 AM

Thanks for the information, Reasoned.  My interests run more to color and markings than technical aspects, so it's good to get educated more on these things.

I'm assuming that the intake under the nose is also some kind of air intake?  At any rate, there is a gaping hoe there, so RPM kindly and thoughtfully provided a little square piece of plastic to close it up.  I painted it black and glued it in. 

Result:  no peek hole.  The nose has been sanded and re-scribed to accentuate some of the shallow panel lines.

As always, thanks for looking and your comments.

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Bent River, IA
Posted by Reasoned on Saturday, November 10, 2012 10:14 AM

Looks good checkmate, those are radiator intakes under the wings.

Science is the pursiut of knowledge, faith is the pursuit of wisdom.  Peace be with you.

On the Tarmac: 1/48 Revell P-38

In the Hanger: A bunch of kits

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Saturday, November 10, 2012 9:42 AM

Here is the fuselage and wing assembly finished up.  After sanding, I re-scribed the panel lines prominently into the fuselage so they would be deep enough to hold a pin wash after painting.  Fit was pretty good for both assemblies.  The panel lines are a little wide, but a little soft and not very sharply delineated.

The underside of the wing shows those two little box structures installed (I don’t know what they are; some kind of intake?). The wheel wells were painted RLM 02, then highlighted by dry-brushing, followed by a black acrylic pin wash (Apple Barrel craft paint). 

  

Thanks for looking.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2009
  • From: Laurel, MD
Posted by Tucohoward on Saturday, November 10, 2012 7:18 AM

Nice work, mustang. The finished product looks great!

The Mighty Mo says no.

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