Messerschmitt BF109 GB 2012

If I may, I would like to get involved with the group build.  My contribution will be this kit, in 1/72 from RPM in Poland, with markings from DP Casper’s decal sheet for “Operation Dynamo,” the evacuation of the BEF from France in 1940.  It’s the only kit of the E-1 I could find, and seems to be out-of-production now.  RPM also sold it with markings for the Spanish Civil War, but that seems to be gone, too, now.

The construction going on here and the results obtained have been motivating.  It’s been several years since I did anything with Messerschmitts, so I thought I’d get my hand in and gain some practice.

Well come on with it brutha!  Looks like a good kit to me.

Cool, never seen that one..... being 1/72.

Thanks, guys.  I appreciate being able to participate. 

Here are the pieces, detached from the sprues and waiting to be cleaned up.  You can see that the cockpit details are pretty sparse and somewhat crudely cast.  It’s hard to discern here, but the clear canopy also has some mystifying bumps on the interior side which will be impossible to clean up. 

The molding of the kit is inconsistent.  Some of the lines are sharply cast; others kind of soft and lacking clear definition.  Still, over all, it looks to provide a fairly good representation of the plane.  I don’t plan on modifying it too much, since I want to preserve the manufacturer’s look, including the idiosyncrasies.

They don't show up here, since I didn't detach them from the sprue, but it looks like RPM included some parts to upgrade this E-1 to E-3 standards.

Quick update on my Swiss Miss. Sprayed the cockpit tonight and started some light weathering work:

Soon to be heading into detailing land, including placing individual bezels on this Eduard IP...

Not looking forward to it at all, but it should give it some solid depth! And since I'm still out harnesses I'm kind of dragging my feet a bit...

Working on the parts now, and accomplishing painting of the interior parts.

Among the things to clean up is this little anomaly.  On the starboard side of the fuselage, where the locator pin fits for the stabilizer, there is a little collar or bump.  The bump is missing from the port side.  The bump will have to go.

This seems to be typical with the kit--some things very nice; other characteristics not up to par. 

Wow thats big! Are you sure Trumpeter didn't have a hand in the manufacturing of that kit?? Looks like alot of stuff I had to deal with. LOL

Is bigness an issue with Trumpeter?  I've never built any of their aircraft--just a 1/700 ship that the cat proceeded to knock off the mantlepiece and on into oblivion.

checkmateking02

Is bigness an issue with Trumpeter?  I've never built any of their aircraft--just a 1/700 ship that the cat proceeded to knock off the mantlepiece and on into oblivion.

Now here is a shot of the inside of the landing gear doors. Now I'm fairly capable of anything but I gotta say this was a test of my patience, will, and of trying to break my habit of swearing.

I will say this checkmateking, you are doing that kit some justice. It is looking good. I didn't mean to grumble. That wart on the tailfin reminded me of my Trumpeter experience thats all.

That is a serious case of ejector pin marks.  I don't think I've ever seen so many in one small space before.

Thanks for the comment, Mustang.  By tomorrow I should be able to post some photos of the cockpit area--which is undistinguished at best.

Here is the interior of the cockpit.  I painted it RLM 02, with details picked out in black and silver.  It’s not so obvious in the photo, but I dry-brushed highlights and applied a pin wash in acrylic black.  Don’t know why; it won’t be visible when the canopy goes on.

This photo shows the pin wash and highlights a little better.  The instrument panel has been installed.  It has no details at all—just a flat piece of plastic.  There is no decal provided for it either.

The many gnarls and knobs are obvious, but fortunately they are all on the interior and won't be visible after I close up the fuselage.

Looks like they opened up the engine bay. Noticed no cowlings molded into the fuselage. Did they happen to supply the engine or is it a "glue the cowlings on later" kit? I'm kind of surprised they didn't throw a decal in for the IP. Are you going with the scheme on the box or got something else up your sleeve? Interested in seeing this one come together.

I've built the Trump kit, most of the injector marks (short of the flaps) are actually pretty well hidden. There are a ton though!

Hi, Mustang: the cowling is a separate piece to be added later.  Test fitting shows it situates pretty well in place.

There is no engine.

The paint and decal scheme will come from Casper's 1/72 "Operation Dynamo" (Dunkirk) sheet.  I used markings from the same set for a Revell/Germany Spitfire (awful kit) and Hurricane (not much better) earlier this past summer and fall, and was pleased with the way they worked.

From the net, here's some artwork for the plane.  I did some research on the plane, and identified the pilot.  I will post some information on him when I finish up and offer up the completed build.  Thanks for looking.

The large scale kits are completely impressive and I admire them and all the detail you all put into them.  They're just too big for me, and I'm afraid I would lack the patience and perseverence to finish one.  I haven't moved beyond 1/72 for decades, except for two forays so far into 1/700 for aircraft carrier and battleship models.

The little collar around the stabilizer mounting pin has been removed. 

The final project for tonight was the horizontal stabilizers.  Something I’ve done for years is to install the horizontal stabilizers before I close the fuselage.  There’s a whole lot more “grabbing” space for the glue to cling to at that point.  I smear tube glue (Testors) into the locating slot from the inside, then push through the tab on the stabilizer.  Next, I coat the whole mess with liquid cement.  Before it dries, I use a protractor to set the angle of the stabilizer at 90 degrees to the vertical fin.  Once the whole assembly is dry, it’s not going to fall off during subsequent handling, masking, etc.

It seemed to me that the tail wheel might be a problem in the future.  You can see the white stress mark where it is molded to the fuselage.  I could foresee this breaking off somewhere down the line—plus it looks a little long (tall) to my eye.  I plan to cut it off entirely, drill a new mounting hole and attach it separately later.

Look at those noxioius bumps and other appurtenances!  I'm not sure I won't have to grind some of them and the locator tabs down in order to get the fuselage to close completely.

Next project will be to assemble the wings and fuselage, sand and rescribe the obliterated panel lines.  Might take a couple of days.

Thanks for looking.

checkmateking02

The large scale kits are completely impressive and I admire them and all the detail you all put into them.  They're just too big for me, and I'm afraid I would lack the patience and perseverence to finish one.  I haven't moved beyond 1/72 for decades, except for two forays so far into 1/700 for aircraft carrier and battleship models.

Checkmate... I agree with Mustang ... Once you do a larger scale you will love doing the detailing. Shoot, try a 1/48 first, My favorites are the 1/32 scale. And besides... If like me, as you get a bit older (was trying not to say it but it slipt out) You'll need a micro scope to do 1/72 scale!  And yes... please do join in the FW190 Butcher Bird Build. Looks like its going to be a killer build!

Doug

rigidrider

Thanks, guys, for the votes of confidence.  

As for 1/24, I actually don't have the room for them.  I already have about 25 completed B-17's taking up space, plus a couple of B-24's.  Then there are the assorted P-51's, P-47's, a few 109's, lots of Spitfires and Hurricanes.  I stick with 1/72 because of the consistency of the scale--and I've got a stockpile of kits that might--probably will--outlive me!  Cuz, yeah, I am getting older too!

As for the FW group build, I do have two partially completed 190's gathering dust for more than four years.  But they are so far along that I don't think they fit the parameters.  I started to paint them, then put them away and didn't get back to them.

I appreciate your comments.  Now, back to the 109 at hand.

Ok guys. This is the finished pictures of what I have built. I appreciate all of you guys help with this because I got stuck alot of times with this thing. Here goes:

Meant to put these other two in there instead of the same thing twice.....sorry.

No overhead lighting in the pics. Will work on it. Not the photographer I wished I was.

                              No apology needed,,  looks great! 

It came out beautifly Joe... I'm proud of it too! (LOL) You did a great build.

handiabled

 

 

                              No apology needed,,  looks great! 

Great looking build!

Magnificent looking 109, Mustang.  That must be one of th 1/24 variety?  Outstanding results!  The camouflage splotches are not easy to achieve, but you've done them well.

mustang - really like the 1st and 3rd photos in that second set - excellent work!

regards,

Jack

Nice work, mustang. The finished product looks great!