2015 Messerschmitt Bf 109 Group Build

Well done Matt!

Doug

Thanks everyone for the decal suggestions.

Wing-nut thanks for the offer. Will PM

Handi - like the weathering of your 109. Looking forward to the completed product.

Brandon your Avia is looking very slick.

Matt, Emil nd Gustav are going great guns.

Well, guys, I couldn't wait any longer, I just started prep on the Hasegawa G-2. Pictures in due course -- I'll move it along as far as I can, I'm not sure if I need harness for this one off the etch I'm waiting for, or if I can go right ahead... I'll let you know!

M/TB379

Thanks Allen!  I don't know about "fan base", but your words are appreciated.  

Jack, I suppose I need glasses.  That looked like a half naked dude chasing something to me on the decal sheet...LOL.  Homer on a Frederich!....now I'm really inspired!  Thanks a pants load for the research.

Matt, Love the G-6.  I was actually considering Stigler's ride for the G in this GB, but for the life of me I could not ascertain which G he flew.  I had two G-2's, a G-6, and a G-10 in the stash.  I then read an interview over at the 109 Lair where he said it was a K model, so I ultimately decided on Hackl's markings.  That Emil is coming along nicely...I love those yellow nosed 109s. Is that gonna be Priller's ride?

Joe

Here are a few pics of what I have so far.  There are going to be some firsts for me on this one.  First 109 (but not last ), first time using PE and first time attempting mottling - although I haven't settled on a particular scheme yet. 

I learned very quickly that I am NOT GOOD with PE harnesses, lol.  What a nightmare trying to make them look halfway believable.  Luckily for me I had bought a pair of Ultracast resin seats so my harness dilemma didn't amount to much.  I cut out the kit seat and added the Ultracast version.  Some paint and silver sharpie later (lawdog trick) and the harnesses look pretty good I think. 

Overall I'm finding PE pretty fun to work with, and I've managed not to lose anything yet (knock on wood). Like anything else, I'm sure I'll get better the more I do.  It does bring a cockpit to life though.  The rudder pedals were certainly a test of my patience (and eyesight!)

Right side. 

I bent some wire to make the fuel line, but may try something else, depending on how this turns out once it's painted up.

The instrument panel so far; it's like a little model kit in itself. I still need to add some bits but I think I'll wait until the panel is installed in the aircraft so they don't get knocked off or otherwise mangled by accident...which happens frequently around me.  Sucks to be a pitot tube on any of my models.

That's about it so far.  More as I go.

Allen

Brandon: That build of yours looks great. Like Joe (lawdog) said if there's any flaws, I can't see 'em!

Joe (Lawdog): Feel free to jump in with that Zvezda kit! One question: Engine panels open or closed? Say , you never let me know which pic you would like to show in the Completed Builds section. Lemme know and I'll get 'er up and posted. BTW Stigler flew a G-6 at the time of the encounter

Marc: Good or bad.............post 'em. Where all here to help pal!

Allen: That interior looks great! Don't worry as we've all had problems with PE seat belts before.

Jack: Now that's just something else with that  Adamson character and the similarities with the Simpson Character years later! Who knew?

Mike(thunder): I second Dougs motion..... Go for it on the "crazy map" camo scheme!!

Matt: Good 'ol Yellow 2! I have the decals for the same plane. Excellent story BTW for all you who haven't read the book "A Higher Call" yet and an excellent representation of aircraft. Franz Stigler rocks!

As far as the progress on the E-3 , that paint scheme is killer!!!!  I love it!

blkhwkmatt - I like the look of Priller's Emil, particularly the mottling on the wing surfaces.  I'm curious about the the first two images, as I've never seen that style of geometric patterns before.   Non standard for sure - per Eduard's instructions?

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Joe (lawdog) - thanks for the good chuckle.  Adamson use to be the emblem of 4th staffel, but when 8th staffel was formed from it's members, they took the cartoon with them.  I'm just guessing, but it looks they kept a visual tie with the former with the die held in his left hand showing the amount of 4 (three plus one).

I couldn't find an image on the net, but there is hiliarious adaption of Adamson character by 8th staffel on their latrine sign post.  It shows him running with a copy of the Times in one hand and the other tugging the rear end of his pants

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Chanter - nice detail work, and I hear you about the PE harness.  I've learned you have to shape it as best you can outside of the cockpit before final attachment.

regards,

Jack

jgeratic

blkhwkmatt - I like the look of Priller's Emil, particularly the mottling on the wing surfaces.  I'm curious about the the first two images, as I've never seen that style of geometric patterns before.   Non standard for sure - per Eduard's instructions?

 

Jack

Good or bad eh?  Not good... but the patient is recovering.

Finally done getting caught up on myself, fix the stuff I crapped up.

Someone asked if the engine fit with the cowls down. Yes and no. Yes it should, no I was unable to succeed in that endeavor. One of the mistakes I made was not reading the sheet thoroughly. If you are going with closed cowls, you can use the engine mounts on the sides. These are left off and the engine is help in place by the crank shaft in front and 20 MM cannon in the rear where it connects to the fire wall. Of course I had the side must on and a no go. Then I ripped off the mounts and cut the banks of cylinders off to just glue to the inside of the fuselage so the exhausts stuck out. That was the result of not looking at the sheet. The MG barrels were cut off and glued to the underside of the cowl.

For the next time I think he easiest thing to do is simply glue the exhaust to a strip of plates that just covers the space to blank it off and forget everything else.

Then the cylinders had to be carved and carved and carved some more to get the front Part of the cowl on. And the Tenax ran WAY down to where I was holding it and left the kind of finger print that would make a detective breathe heavy.

That got sanded and the ridges that were left filed with some Mr. Surfacer that I use for surface scratched. After the jar settled for awhile I poured of most of the solvent and use the now thick pigment as a filler.

I got the bottom cowl on but there was a lot of trimming and fitting. So much... I just don't think I can talk about it right now.

But here's where it is now. The pit is done ( freakin' amazing with all of the I didn't break of the gun sight reflectors :o ) and the resin upgrades are all in place. the spinner is just tacked din place for the pic and to see the profile. Right choice for the spinner I think.

That looks really nice Marc.

"...left the kind of finger print that would make a detective breathe heavy." - that has to be the line of the Group Build so far.

Allen

Looks like you recovered from that nicely Marc! That pit looks amazing!!!

Matt - ahh, now I understand why I didn't recognize the pattern - you had taken the more complex early war scheme of 70/71, but inserted 02 in place of one of the darker greens.  Also different from Eduard's profile, the upper wing mottle was done with 02 instead of hellblau?  Yeah, based on b/w who knows what exact colours were laid.

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Marc - looking very smart thus far.  As for the errors, well it only shows you are human like the rest of us.

regards,

Jack

jgeratic

Matt - ahh, now I understand why I didn't recognize the pattern - you had taken the more complex early war scheme of 70/71, but inserted 02 in place of one of the darker greens.  Also different from Eduard's profile, the upper wing mottle was done with 02 instead of hellblau?  Yeah, based on b/w who knows what exact colours were laid.

 

You know,I went back an looked at the scheme on the .pdf file again, and I think you are right.  Think that it was supposed to be 65 instead of 02.  Under the light on my workbench I couldnt figure out what the color was and almost went with the light gray (RLM 77), but thought that 02 was the closer match.  I guess the way that I was reading the description, they painted the wings in the same manner as the fuselage sides, hence RLM 02. 

As for the pattern, I matched the date of the bird with diagrams of the "official" schemes and this was the agreed scheme.  All in all, may not be 100% for the accuracy side, but it looks good to me and falls into the "good enough" catagory.

Thanks for the insight, it is appreciated.

<Matt

Marc,

Nice recovery, I am sure that once you are complete we wont even be able to tell there was reconstructive surgery.

Your cockpit looks stunning as well, thanks for sharing.

<Matt

I love the work being done.  

Chanter nice work on the pit.

Wing, very nice recovery on the molded in finger print.

Anybody else sorry for not saying but the quality of the builds is inspiring me to finish up another GB and get working on my night fighter D'

moose

Thanks for the encouragement folks.

I worked on trying to make a decent fuel line out of wire tonight.  I made the basic shape (as in earlier post) then cut out the middle.  Stretched out some clear sprue (thanks to Mustang for the tutorial in an earlier post) then crazy glued it between the bits of wire. 

Painted it up and attached to the side wall.

I called it good enough and buttoned up the cockpit.

I just learned that there was a compartment behind the pilot (luggage? beer?) so I am going to fashion one from the Hasegawa sprue label...I don't have any card stock or whatever you call the blank sheets of styrene.  I have the day off tomorrow and it's apparently going down to -30° C tonight so I don't imagine I'll feel much like being outside. I'm ready for summer.

Allen (thinking warm thoughts)

Looks Good Allen, Very realistic ! Keep up the good work!

Doug

Allen the cockpit is looking good.   I hear you on the warm thoughts. The current feels like temp here is -15F.  Problem is I'm a mail carrier. I cringe going out in this winter wasteland

Starting to make some progress on the Bf109-F-4. A whole new world of small for these old eyes gentlemen. Getting started with new tools and techniques is quite pleasing and enjoyable though. Not happy with the IP decal placement and getting them to lay flat, but it is my first time out so I will attempt to be kind to myself. Put 2 coats of MicroSol on it and it still won’t settle comletely. Have put a drop of Future on each gauge already. Can I put another coat of MS on it, or call it?

Moving on to the wings and putting the fuselage together. Directions are VERY unclear on the correct placement of the 4 radiator covers. Might PM one or two of you for some assistance.

I can’t begin to adequately express my admiration of both the quality of work here and the encouragement given to each other gentlemen. I look forward to learning from some true craftsmen. Thank you to all who took the time to welcome a rookie newcomer, very much appreciated.

Cheers,

Bob aka Radial9

Matt, Excellent job on the early G-6!  I'm working on the same kit right now; however, I am doing it as the late version with the Erla canopy and tall tail.  I only hope mine comes out as nice as yours!!

Chanter- your office scratch built additions look great!

Radial, I had similar problems with the IP on my G-6.  I was finally able to get it to settle down with some decal solvent, a very sharp xacto blade and a coat of future.

Allen: That interior is really coming along. I like the addition of that clear part on the fuel line. I have a 109 build that I did in 1/24th scale and wished I woulda thought of that!

Bob: That's an IP decal? I've been hearing alot of good stuff about the newer IP decals and they certainly seem like the way to go these days. Really convincing outcome on that pit!

Thanks for all the comment guys.

Allan, Bob... couple of nice looking pits going there fellas.

Hey Bob... Generally after the future is applied the microsol would do no more good. I use micro sol, then if need be microset, and if that fails solvaset. I hear a lot of guys talking about using vinegar and to tell you the truth, micro set does have a strong vinegar smell. Personally, I think your IP looks pretty good, But to maybe share a little tip, you can always drill out the instrument dials on the kit IP, then cut a thin piece of plastistruct or acetate sheet, place acetate sheet (shaped to the IP) behind the drilled out IP then paint or mark the holes, then apply decals to the acetate sheet and glue to the back side of the painted IP. This gives the gauges depth and very clean bezel and face edges. Just a thought. Over all looking good though! Glad your finally here and building!

Doug

Bob - I think that cockpit is looking fantastic. Nice job!

-BD-

Excellent work on the interior Bob

Just so everybody knows, I'm still going to build something for this GB. I'm still plugging away on this Dodge Challenger of mine and hope to be finished with it in the next month or so. This whole automotive modeling experience has turned out to be alot more involved than I thought it would be initially! 

Anyhow I'll be starting this 109 build up soon with my brassin engine set from Eduard in 1/48 scale:

a couple of pages from the instruction manual:

and a pic of the base engine assy:

I'm really stoked about this build and can't wait until my bench is cleared for this.

Gadzooks! That' got some detail. Break out the microscope. 

Allen

Really great work going on, guys! Looking forward to getting back to the bench. Was on vacation for a week to sunny and warm Tucson. Came back to grandson in hospital and then granddaughter born yesterday. Grandson is ok now. If you get a chance you need to go to the Pima Air Museum and the Boneyard across the street. I am sure it would be of great interest to anyone hanging out here, plus it was 80 degrees there in February.

Jay

Raider: Some good looking progress on that cockpit!

Brandon: I really like the look of that NMF!

Marc: Looks like you're off to a fantastic start on your F-4! Those exhausts really are a huge improvement! I'd go with Black 8...

Elliott: She's starting to take shape! How's the fit of that model so far? I got Revell's G-10 in my stash and I'm wondering how much swearing and cursing is involved in the assembly. BTW, did those decals I sent you arrive at your place?

Handi: I'm lovin' the weathering!

Matt: Both your G-6 and E-3 are absolutely stunning builds!. That wing camo pattern turned out beautifully!

Allen: Nice work on that office!

Bob: Same goes for your 'pit! Particularily that IP decal looks flawless from here!

Joe: You and me seem to be thinking very much alike regarding our Royal Class builds. Eduard had a 25% off special yesterday and I got me one of those resin engine assemblies as well...