2015 Messerschmitt Bf 109 Group Build

Nathan, thanks for the tip on the cowl.  As far as the gun lengths go, I'll start looking at pics to make sure I get the lengths right.

Joe - I'll try and drill out the existing guns to accept the metal barrels...they're pretty skinny though!  I'd better avoid coffee before attempting.

Allen

Chanter

Joe - I'll try and drill out the existing guns to accept the metal barrels...they're pretty skinny though!  I'd better avoid coffee before attempting.

 

Allen, I always find it better to enlarge the hole in stages. Start with a smaller bit than you need and go up in size from there.

Bish

Nice work Marc.

Now this bring up a question. Were 109 spinners always black green. All the model instructions I have seen seem to say black, and most of the profile pics show what looks like black as well. I have painted mine black, on this build and my 72nd 109 a while back, and no one has suggested it is wrong.

I know bomber spinners were black green, but 109's and 190's I am a bt confused about.

They varied Bish. Only prop blades were specified RLM 70 for single engine fighters. Most spinners were just black, but some pics do show them matching the lighter colored blades. The unrestored 109G-6 in the Auzzy war museum shows it real well. Brett Green did a write up on it on Hyperscale. Everything is in original colors. 

Thanks guys, That means I can now stop pulling my hair out. I thought I had been getting it wrong all these years.

Thanks, SS! I'm trying to do a bit every day, in fact hoping to have her to the point she can be set aside today.

Chanter -- you're right, the Hasegawa cowl design is not friendly. The G-2 seems to be the same engineering as for the F I built last year, but that one also suffered from fuselage warping that magnified the problems. This cowl came together surprisingly easily by comparison, I also don't remember the K-4 having the same engineering, but something much better -- by my memory could be acting up!

The canopy parts for the G-2 turn out to be badly scratched -- does anyone have any experience with getting replacements from Hasegawa? Or can anyone recommend an AM alternative??

Cheers, M/TB379

Allen many thanks.  You are very kind.

Joe

Well, I got my paint today and mixed up the dark green. Now the splinter pattern is done, and I just have the mottling on the sides of the tail and fuselage for the camo. Just... Then the yellow on the nose and rudder.

This is the first time I've done a camouflage scheme with the airbrush, and I have a few small parts at the wing roots to touch up where it's a little too sharp on the curve where it meets the RLM 65. I'll probably brush that to just round it out and maybe spray mottling nearby so the tonal crush hides any imperfections on the coverup.

Anyway, she's looking like a 109 now, and I just need to get my Galland figure started so she can go places.

(Note that this is the Tamiya E3 kit, and I am going to paint it in the scheme of Galland's E4 because, to me, a JG-26 109 needs a yellow nose, and I think the mottling will be an interesting challenge. I have an E4 canopy from the Eduard Bf-109 E7 I picked up today (oops, another 109...).

So how am I doing? I was worried the RLM 02 was a little too green, but next to the dark green, I think it looks like it should.

-BD-

Looks great Brandon! Just the right amount of preshading showing through.

Jay

Well, I've reached the punctuation point in the build -- everything is on that can go on at the moment, with the possible exception of the shoulder harness. The G-2 is structurally complete with most of the detail painting done. The scratched canopy -- well, I've written to Hasegawa USA, if I can get a replacement clear sprue for this kit I'll be much happier. The canopy and armoured headrest would have been the final parts to go on anyway, now she can be set aside while the masks are in the works. I have a Tamiya Challenger to be going on with...

M/TB379

Brandon Mike excellent work.

Brandon: That splinter camo pattern looks great as does the paint. That pre-shading is just the right amount. And ummm......looks like you've let the cat outta tha bag with the next 109. lol

Mike: The point just before masking and priming!! Awesome!!!  Good lookin' build so far bud!

Joe: I meant to tell you the last time I posted to you about the effects of those vinyl tires that came with that 109 kit of yours on plastic. Go resin all the way with the tires. The vinyl tires will eat the plastic wheel centers through the years due to a chemical reaction between the plastic and vinyl.

Here's an example of a car that I had to pry off of the plastic display base!

The car (and try not to laugh. I built it when I was 14 or so...lol):

That I had to pry off of the base. Notice how far in the tires had sunk/ eaten through the base :

Marc: That turned out really sweet! I love the weathering!

Brandon: Those colors look magnificent! You got the perfect amount of preshading going on too!

Mike:Seems like she's almost ready for some paint!

Joe: Damn, now that's some deformation on the base! Thanks for giving us a heads-up on it. I think I have to get me some resin wheels...

Joe it's a Cuda  I don't care if you were 14. cool ride

I used to own a '71 if I only knew then what I.know now

Well folks here I am, much calmer, much more relaxed, very grateful.  I am here to proclaim that other than two lines (one for the fuel cell and one for the booster) I am calling the interior done.  

It is not perfect by any means.  I am missing the detail on the exhaust pipes (not going to try it.  I will just mess it up).  The guns are off in color.  There are other things but I am comfortable with it.  









All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.



Joe

Joe, that is simply amazing. I can't wait to see where you go from here with it.

-BD-

Well, I'm calling this one done. I didn't really weather it because it's a peacetime plane, and I liked the clean look of it.

Here she is, the Spanish Hispano 1112 M1L Buchon (that's a type of Dove, in Spanish). It's maybe the ultimate Bf-109 variant, bing a Bf-109 G body with a Merlin engine, two Hispano cannon and a bunch of rockets.

This is the 1:48 Hobbycraft kit, and I learned a lot on it (namely, don't touch the thing once you've started the Alclad process, and don't overdo it on the finish coat).

I guess go ahead and use the first image in the gallery. Sorry about the ultra low-tech backdrop. Better remember to put it back on the bed :)

-BD-

Ok, quick update on the Bf-109 E4 tonight.

I got the mottling done, and that alone was worth buying the 0.2mm airbrush setup. I'd still like to get better at it and figure out a way to shade it. I'm not confident enough to post-shade it with smoke or anything, and that wouldn't probably be that noticeable once the decals are on anyway.

I noticed the splinter pattern on the fuselage is a bit high for an E4, but I did find some photos of Galland sitting in one where the splinter pattern is where mine is, so I didn't go all OCD and repaint that part.

I also painted the yellow bits, and it really is darker/deeper in person than in these photos. And no, the cowl isn't glued down yet. I need to re-black the engine, drill the barrels of the cowl machine guns, paint them and install them before that happens. I also need to touch up the prop blades where I scratched one to the bare plastic. Then the spinner hub can be glued on.

It's really falling together at this point. I just need to paint the landing gear doors, wheels and legs themselves, add the tail wheel, paint the canopy rails and wait for my decals to arrive.

-BD-

Brandon D... excellent work on both!

tempestjohnny

I used to own a '71 if I only knew then what I.know now

Joe: Man you've got nothing to be ashamed of with that creation. Exhausts details off....ha! Gun color not correct............whatever! You've got enough good detail crammed into that thing for four builds! It all looks great and I wished my Trumpeter build turned out half this good! Refer back one page though in case you missed the bit on the tires in your kit.

Brandon: Don't worry about the backdrop here. I'm still using white posterboard for mine with a jicky set up for lighting. Your Hispano is jaw dropping! I like the fact that alot of the lesser known or lesser seen 109's are being built here. I'm learning alot! I'm anxiously watching for more progress on that beautiful E-3 you're workin' on and I've got your first pic posted in the intro as requested.

wingnutt: I've posted your corrected pic in the intro as well. I wasn't thinking at the time I posted it but the corrected prop looks a lot better. It compliments the rest of that great build. Thank you for your participation and hope you'll stick around for another.

Brandon - very unique scheme and shape of this Spanish version, nicely done!

On your E4 build, yes the height of the demarcation on the spine could vary from unit to unit.  So this only matters if you intend to create a specific aircraft.

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Joe - like others have said, that engine scratch building (as is the whole interior) looks awesome!

regards,

Jack

After 3 109's since Christmas (1/24, 1/32 & 1/48) I am taking a hiatus and am working on a Hobby Boss 262. BUT....after that I want to do Gallands 109 E-4. Who makes the best 1/48 and 1/32 (1/35?) E-4? And best aftermarket decals for his bird?

For 1/32 you would definitely want the Cyber Hobby kit and Eduard for the 1/48 IMHO. The CH E-4 comes with Galland's markings.

Jay

Eduard for the 1/48 like Jay said. Hands down

Awesome looking builds there Brandon. I really like the Spanish bird, always nice to see something different. And great work on the E-4, can't have enough of the yellow nosed you know whats.

Joe, some really stunning modelling there. The engine looks great and some really nice detail in the rest of the fuselage. Keep it coming.

Joe: Holy smokes, that interior is truly a work of art! Your attention to detail is simply awe inspiring!

Brandon: That Buchon is looking great! It sure is something different with the Merlin and silver finish. I also love your camo and masking work on the Emil!

We got a modelling show here in Vienna next weekend. The best part about that one are the vendor's tables: Aires is gonna be there with everything at 20% off. I think I'm gonna use that opportunity to get stocked up on 109 AM goodies...

Brandon lbve the Buchon.  The blue belly with the silver looks great.  The E-4 looks great too.  I've seen E's with the camo high up in the spine like that.