Revell 1/32 Messerschmitt BF109G-10 "Erla" as flown by Erich "Bubi" Hartmann

This is amazing! I can't believe how fast you are building this kit.  It looks like I will have to add one to my stash.

WOW, that's some great looking kit and your doing a grand job with it. Revell really are pulling out all the stops with there current 32nd kits.

Revell 1/32 Messerschmitt BF109G-10 "Erla" Build Update #3. So guys, after building up the plane and cleaning her down with Isopropyly Alcohol, it was time to move into the painting stage. I masked the wheel wells, air intakes and air filter intake with damp tissue and masked the cockpit and exhaust stacks with Tamiya tape. I also temporarily located the undercarriage doors/covers to act as masks, but also to get them painted at the same time the underside of the plane was airbrushed. As always, the plane was primed first using Model Masters Grey Primer and when that was dry, I mixed XF-1 Flat Black with XF-54 Dark Sea Grey and pre-shaded all the panel lines and rivet detail areas; While that was all drying, I then airbrushed Tamiya XF-54 onto the masked canopies. I used this as a substitute for RLM 66 which I couldn't get hold of. When it was dry, I airbrushed clear coat over the canopies and some other parts to seal the paint in and then removed the masking tape from the canopies to check the result: I then moved onto airbrushing the underside of the plane, along with the drop tank, using RLM 76 Lichtblau. I toned it down around 10-15% with white and when that was done I added more white and airbrushed some highlights onto random areas. I let that all dry for an hour, then laid everything that was completed so far onto my table to check how things were looking: I now had to mask the upper side ready for airbrushing the two camouflage colors, and therefore I used my usual method to do this. Using the painting guide, I measure the plan view distance from wing tip to wing tip and then take that same measurement on the model. Using those two dimensions, I divide the largest number by the smallest number to provide a scale factor. I repeat this process with the side elevation views measuring the length of the plane and getting another scale factor. Using my photo-copier, I set the zoom ratio to the scale factor calculated for the distance across the wings and place the plan view face down in the copier. I then took a couple of copies, one of the starboard side wing and one of the portside wing, then laid the plane on top to check if the scale had come out correctly. I repeated this for the side views. Everything looked good and so I now had my own paper masks ready to move forward with painting: I wanted to airbrush the light color first, the Grau-Violet RLM 75, and so I carefully cut the dark areas of the paper masks out then taped them in place on the plane. I then airbrushed RLM 75 Grau-Violet onto the exposed surfaces. I tone the paint down by 10-15% with white and when completed, I added more white so that I could airbrush some highlights on top in random areas. I allowed the paint to dry for a while, then carefully removed the paper masks and then checked the paint work on my table: Next, I moved onto airbrushing the DunkelGrun RLM-82 to complete the two camouflage colors. Using the paper masks again, I cut out the lighter areas and used them to mask over the previously airbrushed Grau-Violet. I then used RLM-82 Dunkelgrun toned down about 10-15% with white and airbrushed that over the exposed surfaces. Again, I added more white and randomly airbrushed some highlights. When that paint was dry, I carefully removed the masks and checked over the paint work: It was now time to add the mottling to the fuselage sides. Three colors were used, the two upper camouflage colors; RLM 75 and RLM 82, along with RLM 02 Light Olive. This was my first time airbrushing mottling onto a plane, so I was a little anxious about screwing up what I had already done. It requires a lot of control with the airbrush to maintain a gentle flow of paint so that you don't squirt a puddle onto the surface: After that was completed, I wasn't sure if I liked it or not? I then painted all the trim tabs red, along with a 3mm wide black band that goes around the front end of the fuselage behind the propeller spinner. I then took all the masking off the plane, temporarily located the canopies which were such a good fit, they sat in place, laid everything out on my table and took some photos: Well, that's it for this update, my next one will be the "Final Reveal" as all I have left to do is clear-coating, decaling, light chipping, weathering, filtering, final assembly and matt/flat clear-coat. In the meantime, if you'd like to see my YouTube "Build Update #3" video for this update, here is the link to that: https://youtu.be/6c6coKE9XI0 Thanks in advance for looking at this thread, watching the video and commenting, much appreciated! :) See you at the "Final Reveal"! Cheers! :) Martin

That's okay mate! Are you a YouTube modeler and do I know you from there?

Cheers,

Martin : )

Hey BlackTulip, you must be a Erich Hartmann fan with that name?! By the way, I'm UKguyInUSA and I've just finished painting her, so I'm about to post my "Update #3" report!

Cheers,

Martin : )

Thanks Andy, much appreciated....about to post my "Update #3" report! Cheers, Martin : )

Thanks Brandon, much appreciated mate! Cheers : )

Thanks Toshi, much appreciated! Cheers : )

Thanks Joe, much appreciated! About to post my Update #3 :)

Speechless, outstanding work.

Ty for the wonderfully detailed W.I.P.  Such A professional job, you should work for FSM.

I am impressed with this Revel kit and have plans to purchase it in the future thanks to your post.

Not sure how I missed this one.  Revell aparently makes one heck of a large scale Gustav.  Fantastic work so far and thanks for taking us along.  

Joe

Holy CRAP!!! Your'e moving right along on this one. WOWZERS !!!  Nice work, SIr!!!

Revell 1/32 Messerschmitt BF109G-10 "Erla" Build Update #2. Well, once the cockpit was painted and buttoned up, this thing literally flew together and everything went together great. But, I did come across some errors in Revell's assembly instructions; incorrect numbering on a few parts, no note to inform you that 4 holes have to be drilled into a panel that fits onto the bottom of the fuselage into which the drop tank carrier rack locates into. Also, there are a few variations of rudder, a couple variations of vertical stabilizer and a couple of variations of panels that go underneath the fuselage, but, there are no references indicating which ones to use depending on which version you choose to build, paint and decal. This is explained more in my "Build Update #2" video to which the link can be found at the end of this update. Time for assembly work! I started off by gluing the cockpit tub into the starboard side fuselage half. I then glued the portside fuselage onto that and taped it until the glue had set... Next, I fitted the upper engine cowling into place followed by the air filter on the side of the fuselage and then the underside oil cooler air intake housing.... I then fitted the upper wing inner sections onto the fuselage sides, starting with the portside, then the starboard side.... Next, I fitted the underside wing sections into place, starting with starboard side and finishing with the portside.... Following the underside wing sections, I fitted a couple of access panel to the underside of the fuselage. There are two versions of these, but Revell doesn't indicate which versions to use depending on which version of the planes you're going to build... Next, I fitted the two upper wing end sections into place and taped them until the glue had set... I then moved onto gluing the vertical stabilizer in place, then fitting the two rudder halves around the hinges of the vertical stabilizer, which allows the rudder to be movable... After the vertical stabilizer and rudder, it was onto the horizontal stabilizers and elevators, and again, the elevators are moveable... She was beginning to look like a plane now... I then moved onto the main wings and fitted the flaps ailerons and elevators, again, the outer two on each wing can be posed and the inner flaps are moveable... I then moved onto the leading edge slats and glued them in the open position as this plane will be modelled with the wheels down and canopy open and not in flight... Next, I fitted the drop tank carrier plate to the underside of the fuselage, but came across a problem. The panel that it locates into should have 4 holes drilled into it for locating the carrier plate pegs into, but, there are no instructions in the assembly guide informing you to drill holes. This is assembly instruction #35 in the booklet. I therefore, used the other version of panel as a drilling template to do this, then when the 4 holes were drilled, I could glue the carrier plate in place.... After the carrier plate was fitted, I moved onto fitting the rear wheel well cover plate... I then glued the air intake slats into position, they are painted black in this image... it was now time to start masking things ready for cleaning and priming the plane. I started by temporarily locating the undercarriage doors into place using putty... Masking the canopy, front windscreen and bullet proof shield... Followed by masking the cockpit tub, the exhaust stacks, the air intakes and filter intake. When that was done, I cleaned the plane down using IsoPropy Alcohol... I had now reached the end of my build stage and was ready to move onto the next stage, priming, pre-shading and painting which will be seen in my next build update report #3... Thanks for following this build and for leaving any comments, much appreciated. If you'd like to see my YouTube "Build Update #2" video, here is the link for that: https://youtu.be/BrAI3x3R14U Until my next update, have a great weekend and happy modelling! :) Cheers! Martin

I am definitely interested to see how this build goes together, it looks like a fantastic (and relatively inexpensive) kit.  Looks like you are doing wonders with it already!

Groot

VERY nice start! Cockpit looks great. Great job with the pics too:) Looking forward to seeing more.

Revell 1/32 Messerschmitt BF109G-10 "Erla" Build Update #1. Hello Chaps, The following is my "Build Update #1" for this Revell 1/32 kit that was new tooling in 2014. So far, everything has gone together great and there are some nice details within the cockpit. The Build Begins! First step was to wash all the sprues in warm soapy water to remove any injection molding release and cleaning agents that might have contaminated the surface of the molded parts; After letting the parts air dry, I then began to assemble the cockpit along with other sub-assembly components: Next, I drilled out the ends of the forward machine guns then assembled them into the upper engine cowling: I then airbrushed a black base coat onto parts whilst still on their sprues, then when that was dry, I airbrushed RLM 66 black/grey onto the internal cockpit parts: I then airbrushed RLM 02 onto various parts: I then airbrushed Tamiya XF-16 Aluminum onto wheel wells and wheel well walls, along with the propeller blades: I then added highlights onto the Aluminum paint using Tamiya X-11 Silver: Next, I started on the detailing and assembly of the cockpit: Followed by airbrushing the propeller blades with RLM 70 Schwarzgrun, then assembling the propeller: I then gave all painted parts a gloss clear coat prior to adding a dirt wash: When the gloss clear coat was dry, I then mixed a dirt wash using black oil paint mixed with mineral spirits to a watery consistency: I then worked on the assembly of the cockpit tub: After assembling the cockpit tub, I fitted the wing spar/brace beneath the cockpit tub: This was followed by fitting the exhaust stacks into their locations: The last thing that I did was to add a dirt wash to the radiator air intake assembly: And then, I laid everything that I had completed onto my work-bench to see the progress so far: Well, that's it for this update, the next step will be to start assembling the aircraft. In the meantime, if you would like to watch my YouTube "Build Update #1" video, here is the link: https://youtu.be/V6FlSDkaUvM Until the next update, thanks in advance for watching and commenting, much appreciated! Happy modeling and have fun doing it! Cheers! Martin :)

Sorry Martin I jumped the gun!! didn't realize it was you who was reviewing the kit!!

Joke on me!!!

I am sure it will be an awesome build!!

Check out you tube a couple guys built this kit and did a awesome job!!! They take you step by step.

AlexModeling and UKguyinthe USA

Holy parts Batman! Can't wait to see you get started:)

-Andy

Looking forward to watching this one.

BK

Now this is a very cool intro to a WIP!  Can't wait to see the rest of your build.

Toshi

Looks to be a magnificently epic build. I believe I will quite enjoy following your build up of this bad boy. Very nice and detailed intro.