1/48 Bf109F-4 Zvezda COMPLETED !!!!

Brandon, don't worry about it. I think we all get frustrated at times. Quite often we get a lot of views but very little comments. Who knows why. Often I flick through and just skip subjects I don't have an interest in. Other times I will try and comment on everything. I think we all need to make more of an event, especially in the WiP threads.

Hi Ho Brandon! Sorry that I'm late to the party but, I'm here now to tell you that you are doing one fantastic job on that there Zvezda 109. Simply marvelous work so far.

I'm afraid that I'm rather guilty of not showing my presence as often as I should on the aircraft forum. Like others I often have to pick my priorities when I get on and that is nearly always keeping up with my GBs. Yet, once and a while I take some time to get here and catch some awesome planes.

You know, another reason for the slack in responses may be about timing. If other members are like me the springtime is a very busy time for me what with yard work, gardening, hiking, fishing and just breaking out of the winter doldrums. But, maybe things will pick up now that summer is on. It will for me as it's 106 degrees here in Moab, Utah and that lends for increased bench/forum time.

I am really happy that you did not give in to your urge to withdraw your WIP. Also glad to see you let the highly rude and misplaced comments go and are moving forward.

You're doing great things in a great place.

I got bent out of shape for no good reason and what I needed was to be told "get bent". It got me to see this in a whole new light from a different point of view. I am truly blessed to have anyone stop by and say anything. To have all the support I get here in this forum is nothing short of an honor. I stand in the shadows of awesome people. Thank you all for your kind words.

I am nearly finished with my other 109 build for the Aces GB and I will be posting the pics of it completed within a few days. Hope you enjoy it also.

Thanks guys,

BK

JOE RIX,

PS: the temps here Sat were 110, 102 today and the next ten days are 100+. I live in Nampa, ID. So I can surely feel your pain.

Hey Brandon, I personally hated this kit but your doing a fantastic job on it.  I look forward to the finished plane.  I'm about to give the Hasegawa Emil a whirl for the 109 GB, after I build Robert Johnson's Half Pint P-47-C.  

It's interesting that you had the nerve to say what I've been thinking for months, perhaps longer.  I'm also considering stopping my WIPs here for the same reason.  There just doesn't seem to be any interest .  It only takes a couple of seconds to say you appreciated a particular tip it or thanks for the info.  I personally enjoy sharing my knowledge with others so its nice to get feedback.  See my P-40E thread and you'll see what I mean. It may very well be my last in here.  If nobody cares why bother right?  I just wanted you to know your not alone in that train of thought .  Theres no need to apologize and I will always follow and comment your builds...

Joe

Joe,

I think the most important thing I am taking away from all this is that I am guilty of not taking enough time to comment on the threads others have taken the time to post. We post because we are proud of our work or we have questions or answers and wish to pass along tips that others may find useful. When someone, anyone, takes the time to post I think it is just curious to make an attempt to let them know we noticed. Being overlooked or ignored is a horrible feeling and I don't want others to feel that way about their threads. I will be much more involved in responding to the many threads that get posted. Now, it's just not feasible to post on all of them, but an attempt should be made to notice those that might not be garnering much attention, simply out of courtesy.

With regard to your threads, Joe, I am always following them. I will make sure I am commenting as well. Your work has always impressed me and it motivates me to do better in all my modelling. Don't feel like what you are posting is not worth it, it is. I totally owe it to you an everyone else here to tap you on the shoulder and to say "hey, that's pretty darn nice. Thanks for posting." 

BK

Well, I don't think either of you should take it personal if there seems to be fewer comments on your WIP posts.  Perhaps it's the time of year (I have three kids running me everywhere this summer), or member transitional fatigue (made that one up) or in my case, I've just had builders non-inspiration for about a year and just don't check into as many of the FSM forum threads that much (heck I've got a Stuka sitting half built for a GB I just couldn't bring myself to finish).  But with the well documented level of skilled work the two of you have exhibited here, the lack of comments is not from a lack of admiration from other members, that I can assure you.

Dang Reasoned! I don't think I've seen such a good point made regarding this subject. It's good stuff like this that draws me to these forums.

Reasoned

But with the well documented level of skilled work the two of you have exhibited here, the lack of comments is not from a lack of admiration from other members, that I can assure you.

Reasoned:  True story! lol  I was just reviewing Joe's SBD-3 WIP he did a while back and the page has some 17,000 damned views.  Must be doing something right.  ;)

Brandon, and Lawdog, you both do such nice work that I often don't know what to post.  It seems inadequate to just say nice work, but I usually can't figure out anything better.  It's like radio, maybe.  Ya just gotta believe!

Brandon, I can't believe I haven't commented on your build yet. I've been following along since the beginning, and it's astounding work, I'm particularly impressed with your engine.  I can't wait to see the paint on it.

Love the work Brandon! Cockpit looks beautiful. Can't wait to see the paint!

-Andy

Also wanted to say I'm with the other guys on the posting subject. I don't always comment even though I'm blow away by you guys work. Seeing you and Lawdog put up a new WIP is like when I get my Finescale Magazine each month...I just can't wait to dive in and see the beautiful work. Really these WIP's are better b/c we do have the opportunity to get tips and feedback from you guys and vice versa. So with out rambling on for too long...keep up the great work!

-Andy

Thanks guys,

I have to say you all have re-invigorated me to really get going again and post my work as I go. Thanks for the overwhelming support.

This kit will be in primer this weekend and paint very soon.

BK

Ok, so I am ready to commence painting. I have a color rendering of the bird of Hermann Graf, yellow 1.

I am still looking for reference photos. This bird in particular has a very complicated camo scheme. It consists of 6 colors, one is yellow nose, but then RLM 74. 75. 76. 02. and 80. it will be JG52, May 1942 Russian Front version.

Graf had several aircraft and downed 212 enemies. This particular yellow 1 apparently had a handful of camo modifications over time. I will be painting it the most flamboyant version. I find it a really neat scheme. I'm not posting an image, you'll have to watch it come life with me. 

These first two images ARE the one I will be painting. The photos really do NO justice to the colors this plane was painted. I CAN'T WAIT !!!!!!

This is a later 109 than the one I'll be painting. Happy fellow he appeared to be. 

This is one of his later 109's.

In this image his plane in the one on the right of the image.

Brandon,

 What you've got thus far looks really awesome, particularly the engine.  How did you do the rust on the exhausts?

Groot

RobGroot4,

The exhaust is painted using Alclad Exhaust Manifold paint using several light coats. Then follow that up with some Model Master Rust is a few spots to give it a layering effect. Once the paint overall is done I will use the Tamiya Weathering kit "soot" to blacken the ports and fuselage.

The Alclad is very thin and smooth so it gives the manifold the proper tone for the look, but it looks to uniform so the MM Rust is more 3D in its appearance and those two work very well together to give it a rusty burnt metal look. Thanks for looking and the positive comments.

BK

I have not come across that Alclad colour before. I rather like the look of those exhausts. Its a bit hard to tell under the rust, but is the Alclad a dark grey colour. And did you brush paint that on.Thanks.

Don't mean to belabor the WIP subject, but.....

I was following this WIP with great interest because I am about to embark upon an Zvezda F2, which will be by first Zvezda and first Messie. I can't explain why I had not commented until now, but I guarantee I'd have jumped in sooner rather than later.

I'm glad you are carrying on here, Brandon. Selfish of me, but I could really use the insight for my own purposes.

Bish,

The Alclad color is hard to describe. It goes on just like aluminum or chrome. It is dark red/rust color with metallic bits that are black and some grey. When it dries it gives the impression of a used exhaust manifold on a car or truck that has some color from heat and a touch of rust. On its own it doesn't look quite right, it's too smooth. So with the MM rust it suddenly comes to life.

BK

Thanks. I like the effect you have got, going to have to get some of that.

I made some great progress today. I managed to get the priming done along with the pre-shading. I then painted the wing tips, cowl and fuselage band. After letting them dry for a couple hours I masked those off and laid down the primary color of RLM 76 under the bird and all along the side and tail.

I post shaded the yellow (RLM 04) by reducing the color about 30% with white. This lighted up the yellow to a more realistic, field applied and used look.  I also post shaded the primary RLM 76, but since it is so light I didn't reduce the color any and just painted each panel separately and then sprayed overall to reduce the pre-shade to a point I liked and then stopped. Nest I will begin painted the individual mottled colors on the fuselage. Once that meets me satisfaction I will then paint the upper wings RLM 75/76.

Thanks for looking guys.

BK

Boy Howdy! You aren't just a kidding about you having a good day. That's about the amount of progress I might make in a couple of weeks. And some excellent looking progress you did indeed make. Everything looks smooth and clean so far. Nice!

Ye, that is some days progress. Looking forward to seeing the paint go on.

Loving the RLM 02.  If you wanted to add a bit more zing to it, try adding a smidge of red to it.  I look forward to the camo...

Joe  

Brandon,

 Thanks for the info on the exhausts, I will definitely be using that!  I love how you got the rust color to have that grainy, rough appearance, it looks perfect.

 Very nice job on the yellow, that color is such a pain!  I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the camo.

Groot

I sat down today to do only some touch up work on the wheel wells and radiator inlets/outlets. I took plenty of time masking it all up and then spraying RLM 02 in all the correct areas. And, since one of the mottled colors is RLM 02 I went ahead and applied it while I was there. Why not, right?

Next thing I knew I had been sitting at my booth for a few hours, my back is screaming, and the mottling is done. 4 colors make up the camo on the side. Well, guess I'm off to start the splinter camo on the wings now, then I'll begin laying down some paint for the insignia'a using my stencil kit.

Your mottle job looks great as does the rest of the build so far.

Okay, my back says I'm done for the day. The splinter camo is done. I only have two places that need a bit of touch up. Next will be the insignia painting. I'll work on that tomorrow.

Great job Brandon!  Your mottling looks great.