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

Quick update for today.

I went ahead and got the props sorted out. Since I am using an Eagle products spinner made for the Hase kit on a Zvezda model the prop blades would have needed significant mods to make them work. Doable for sure but more work than I wanted to do. 

This shot shows the difference in the kit prop, which won't work with the Eagle spinner and the resin prop I ordered and the blades for it fit fantastic. Simple luck there for sure. Another nice thing about the resin props is that they are thinner and more realistic in scale thickness.

I also finished up the touch ups that were needed and installed the radiators and flaps in the full open position. Right now the bird is drying from a clear coat. I will begin decals very soon.

Thanks for looking.

BK

Really a super good job, Brandon, the paint work is just spot on perfect. This will be a beauty when finished, I'm gaining lot's of valuable info and ideas from your build, I'm anxious to put it to use when my current project is ready for paint. Thanks for all of the posts, very helpful to me.

Patrick  

That's really nice Brandon, great work on the mottling. Nice yellow nose as well.

Simply outstanding Brandon. Your mottling and splinter work are extremely well done. Beautiful work my friend.

Very nice job on the mottling, you camo looks superb!

Groot

Nice camo work Brandon.  I know how that goes.  I work midnights so on the night before I go to work, to aclimate my body, I stay up all night.  I can get in 6 hours straight modeling time in sometimes.  Just me, Net Flix, and the bench....good times...

Looks like your in the homestretch.....

Joe  

Great job Brandon!  Your mottling looks great.

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.

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

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.

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

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  

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

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!

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

Brandon,

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

Groot

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.

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

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

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

-Andy

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.

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!

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.  ;)

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.

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.