Bf-109: Reich Defender GB The End

Daywalker wrote:

hk- To be honest, I had similar troubles with the last set of Eagle Strike decals I tried to use for my 2008 BoB GB 109E.  They were uber-thick, and took MANY applications and slits along the panel lines to get them down and mostly silver-free.  I was not impressed with their quality, and ended up using only the squadron emblems and side numbers.  The rest were the Tamiya kit decals and went down very well.

That sure is a fine looking build, Frank. Nothing really captures the rugged, tough looks of the 109 better than an E. Later models like the G look more refined, kind of like a Porche. Older models like the E remind me more of an old Super Bee or something. Call me weird.

Sounds like the decal problem may be normal for that maker. How I typically use Future on decals is this. I don't spray the whole airframe to prep before the cals. Instead, I use a brush and apply the Future to the area where the decal goes just before applying the decal. While the Future is still wet I apply the decal right in the wet acrylic, adjust to taste and let it dry. There is no need for a decal solution when I do this. So far, that is. I do this on prop decals a lot. After the acrylic dries I spray the whole airframe with Future like I normally would then go about the finish as normal. I've found that if I don't spray the whole thing with the clear before I apply the flatcoat that I can see the edge of the Future underneath. Spraying the whole thing evens out the entire airframe and makes the finish uniform.

In the past this has worked well on a few problem decals. How it would work on larger markings I have no idea. If I give it a go everyone will be able to see the results as I'll post them here.

hk- To be honest, I had similar troubles with the last set of Eagle Strike decals I tried to use for my 2008 BoB GB 109E.  They were uber-thick, and took MANY applications and slits along the panel lines to get them down and mostly silver-free.  I was not impressed with their quality, and ended up using only the squadron emblems and side numbers.  The rest were the Tamiya kit decals and went down very well.

 That's cool when everyone gets back in swing I am sure they know more about that AC than the people who built it.

 I'd be a little leary of decaling over wet future unless there is some technique I missed somewhere. Even if you  didn'y mar the finish it seems like straightening or adjusting their position would be very difficult. Best bet is to just trim them as close to the color as you dare. Lose as much film as possible and using a warm damp cotton cloth apply a firm pressure to push out any bubbles and get them to conform.  Setting solutions are ok but may react adversly to some decals or even to the future in some cases. I use them as a last resort. But I use them.  If you got a wet future plan I don't know about holler it out I'll try anything. LOL It's just how I am!

Thanks Aaron. Yeah, that's the box. From all I've seen I thought the guess was correct. Unfortunately I have no refs for this plane, just what the decals came with which was lame. I picked the plane just because I liked the looks of it but if there is any known history of it I'd be interested to know.

Since you brought up the decals I need to mention they were kind of a pain to work with. Eagle Strike. I'm not so sure I wasn't the problem though. I glossed the plane with Future, very nice and shiney but it took three attempts to finally get rid of the silvering. A couple of sessions of cutting and bubble popping even followed the flat coat to get rid of most of the problems. They seemed thin enough though I've worked with better. For whatever reason the silvering just about whipped me. I have two sets left and plan on using them so I'm considering applying them over a wet coat of Future next time. I've done it on small decals and it's worked great but never tried it on a whole decal job. Could be interesting.

Thanks for the complements.

 Very Very sharp looking! HK Shooter!  Your saying that is pretty much straight out the box! WOW! pretty dog gone good. The paint job and decaling are 1st rate!  Were you talking about the battery box above the pilots head on the rear bulkhead?  From what I have read it was fairly common in late G models so I'd say it is a good guess.

 Looks the part. I missed does it have any history or did you choose it for the cool markings?

As there is plenty of time left in the GB I may do just that, Frank. Once I get my kits in hand I'll get back to you and let you know what I'm building so you can add it to the list. One kit is a G-10, IIRC, and the other is a K-4. I'll let you know what I decide.

Thanks for the kind words, Frank, and thanks for running a good GB!

Thanks guys, glad you like it so far!  Hope to do some more work to her soon.  It's crazy busy at work, so may be a little bit yet.

Mike- Black 13 is coming along beautifully!  Glad you choose those markings, they are beautiful.

Gary- I think it would be alright to join up with that aircraft.  I really like what you have done with it so far, and judging from your previous work this one will be the Dog's Bollocks as well.   Just give me the scale of the build and I will add you to the list.

hk- Nicely done!  Have never seen those markings, always nice to see one you haven't viewed before.  I updated page one to show your completed build, thank you!  glad to see you're interested in more, I'd love to have you stick around and even build another 109 or tow, or three...

I'm calling this one almost done. I may add the antenna before it goes in the display case so it's not exactly done.

The Academy 109G-14 is a decent kit. No real fit problems but the cowl panel with the gun troughs was reworked. As shown before, I deepened the throughs but when I installed the panel the fit was wonky. I glued it in, filled the panel lines and rescribed afterward. Much better looking.

Work was done in the wheel bays by thinning the plastic and opening the holes. Detail was added to the upper surface of the interior of the wing skin, also shown earlier.

No extra work was done to the cockpit and I even left out the pathetic gunsite. I did add a battery cover though I'm not sure the plane had one there.

The canopy fit is OK but the insert Academy has the builder install is a PITA. There is no provision to locate it but for a 2mm measurement in the instructions. The part does not fit the interior of the canopy well and does better with some reshaping. I used clear part cement to glue it in, not the greatest result in the world.

I added the cowl support to the opening in the oil cooler with streched sprue. I also made a new pitot tube with the same and replaced the kit part. The tail has both trim tabs, something I'm not sure is correct for the wr#. I liked the looks of them so left both of them and painted all the tabs red for a splash of color.

OK kit, good for the bucks. Could use a new interior and some major surgery to move the flaps and radiator doors. I used MM paints throughout with Polyscale flat coat. No weather is applied as I've begun to become bored with it. It will give me something to do in the future but for now I'm laying off the weathering for a while.

Mucking around with this 109 has me wanting to do some more. The plane is facinating with it's history and wide use with many different and obscure airforces. Therefore I have two Fujimi kits on the way. I better hit the books on the different variants though. I hear the Fujimi kits have all the panels, doors and lines for every model molded into one kit and I'll have to fix those I don't need. Time to buy some books.

 Ah yes but it doesn't end there Guy!!!! Carefully tuning my dials to locate frozen hole in the wall Wisconsin I once again ventured under the bed into the vortex.  Brrrrrr it is blooming cold here! At least it looks as if some one is out with the snowblower!  Now to take advantage of the situation! Hmmm this workshop is strangely well organized? Can't find anything it's so neat. Ok here we go... no aftermarket parts in sight this fellow must scratch a lot of his own details!?  Well grab and go! Not a lot to choose from there. Seems this fellow only has a one track mind....

 The whole basement is just full of beer and corsairs!

Wings and Things that is just too cool!. I think you will have a 3d picture for sure!

Hoyhoy`l

Seeems I`ve been left at the post and only just got round to reading and follow up. Would you mind if I used this.

It`s somthing thats been sitting at the back of the shelves for a year or more and this GB just might give me the push to finish it. It`s the Hobbycraft G-10 painted to represent the Croatian a/c that surrendured to the USAAF at Falconara, Italy in `45. It`s based on the photo below and I`ve done some figures, but got bored scratching off detail from Tamiya German infantry.

The aim is to have around 20-25 figures on the diorama based on the photo so lots to do.

Cheers

Gary

You vile Drug addled swine, wheres me quickboost stuff gone. One of the Elves mentioned a naked man in my room but it wasnt anyone for the gf SO I PRESUME IT WAS YOU!!.

The elves are in councilling now, I hope your happy soldier.

Great work on the pit Frank. What am i talking about. thats freeking awesome.

...Guy

 Aha! Caught you all sleeping! Too much holiday merriment I Fear!  In my enhanced enlighted psycodelic mind set I have developed the emmulating ennuciator hooziwhazit!  This allows me to traverse space and time in order to raid the stashes of unwary modeling types!  Of course I wanted the first try to go for distance so who better than Guy to be the guinea pig!

 So under the bed i WENT. Passed the library of Hugh Heffner references onto the quatum quark porthole created. Just enough space to grab a few handfuls but I think it was very sucessful!  I also  nipped his tea cup as to prove I just didn't go out and buy what he had!

 So there you see a genuine English cup of the Good Queen. If I had been thinking I shoulda nabbed the pot!  A spot would do me well right about now!  Cheerio!

Daywalker wrote:

LOL, I'm on it! Worked on the IP today, got it painted now just have to wait for the white to dry so I can add some lenses.

Hmmmmm still fuzzy after sleeping of the last 2.5 days.  White paint drying. As in this is painted and not a prefab?  Good thing I got all these pain pills cuz I won't remember it ot be jealous later. Mikester that 1/72? Is wowzers. To get such a complicated sheme to look right at that scale is very inspiring to me.  Inspired to take another pill.... not to worry this is anti biotics for the infection  or blood bacteria or something. Sounds like a cool name for a metal band.

I really want to be working but everytime I sit in my chair I end up falling asleep. zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. I awoke to find several boxes of fresh deliveries, Dee piled them on me in hopes of getting me motivated to wake up.  Haven't made it through the packageing tape yet....  

 Well my fever has gone away. I woke up all hot and sweaty but that is becaude it was 80F outside today!  Had my windows closed so it got very warm.  Somebody tell the weather it is Christmas!

Hopefully I can get back to it soon.  I have developed a virtual space and time ennuciator that allows me to reach under my bed into others stashes. Guy that Aires and Quickboost stuff looks like a proper test!

Frank, that IP is just scary!

Does the artificial horizon wobble when you move the IP?

Mike, nice progress. The camo looks great.

Karl

Decals and wash applied...

Thanks John, I appreciate that!  At this pace, I should have her all done in time for the end of "Bf-109: Reich Defender IV".

soulcrusher wrote:

No opitivisor pics! Everytime Frank posts his optivisor pics I have nightmares for a week!                                                                                   Soulcrusher

OK, as a Christmas gift to you Mike I am NOT going to post them (this time!).

No opitivisor pics! Everytime Frank posts his optivisor pics I have nightmares for a week!

                                                                                  Soulcrusher

LOL, I'm on it!

Worked on the IP today, got it painted now just have to wait for the white to dry so I can add some lenses.

Daywalker wrote:

You can say that again Mike!  I'm still plodding along with the cockpit on mine, and these fellas are already painting!  Man, I'm WAAAAAY behind the curve. Looking forward to your pics!

You better pick up the pace buddy.  I start my Christmas break tomorrow and then I hit hyperdrive!

You can say that again Mike!  I'm still plodding along with the cockpit on mine, and these fellas are already painting!  Man, I'm WAAAAAY behind the curve.

Looking forward to your pics!

Looking forward to the pics, Guy!

I've managed to get some paint on mine as well (finally) and should have something to post pretty soon too. Frank, I think our resident 109 guru is going to be pleasantly suprised upon his return. There's some great stuff on display here already, and more on its way!

Aaron, is at the dentist. I feel he may be down for a couple of days but not a lot holds that guy back. Expect him Gumming for the build shortly LOL.

Frank, Ive been off today (Shopping mainly Boooo) but ive managed to get the pit started. All going well ill post some pics later.

...guy

Aaron- Sorry I forgot to mention this before, but great work on the office!  You're turning into a regular 109 o' phile.

Mike- Nice looking paint work!  She's a looker.

Guy- Glad to hear your parts finally showed up!  Too bad it wasn't in time for your day off.

Anyone seen Stan around?  I know he's busy, but I miss him already.

Great looking paint job Mike. It's really taking shape, great progress.

Steve

Lookin' real good Mike! I like the softer demarcation between the colors.

Guy, that's a sweet looking set for sure. Should look awesome when painted knowing your abilities!

HK, you gonna post some pics for us? Man you guys are making amazing progress. Mine's been slow but steady, but with the wife heading out of town on friday for 4 days I hope to have some major progress to show in the next few days (fewer distractions ).

Keep up the great work, guys!

Oooooooo, nice. Looking good.

Applied some decals tonight. Applied all the big ones and after they dry I'll apply the stencils.