2015 Messerschmitt Bf 109 Group Build

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

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

Jay

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-

Allen many thanks.  You are very kind.

Joe

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

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

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. 

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.

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.

 

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

We'll get right on that mug Allen. Give us a day or so and we'll have that goin' for you.

Bish: I just always thought the 109's and 190's had black for a spinner. I guess there is a rare exception.

Chanter: It's been my experience that you do have to drill the recievers out to insert the gun barrels into.

I've seen the spinners vary. Depending on the unit,timing,availabilty............

And could somebody pm me about how to order the coffee mug?,or point me back to the part of the thread it was in?

This thread has grown so much I don't have time to look for it.

DB, I like the look of that, interesting scheme. Don't think I have seen that before.

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.

Chanter, the Hasegawa cowls fit the best if you leave a gap at the top, then fill it with stretched sprue to replicate the hinge. No sanding necessary that way! To fit the master gun barrels, just make sure the required length of the barrel is showing through the cowling opening once they are mounted. You'll need to check refs carefully, cause if you go by the way Hasegawa did the guns, they made them too long. Hope that makes sense...

Tuco and Wingnut - beautiful work.  I love winter camouflage and yours are spectacular. 

"70" - that is really nice paint work on your K.  Obviously you're not new to LW builds.

Joe - like your cut away P-40, your 109 is really something to watch take shape.  I don't have the imagination for much more than slappin glue to plastic, so I appreciate the talent involved in what you do that much more.

BrandonD - nice paint work!  That's an interesting technique you use, I like it.  Did you use Tamiya for your RLM 76, and if so, what mix did you use?  You can see in my pic below I'm trying different mixes but haven't hit anything good yet (the paint smears on my instruction sheet)

T-Bolt - Great progress.  I'm watching yours closely, as I'm building a Hasegawa too, and just dry fitted my cowls and was dismayed by the gaps.  Everything else so far seems to fit great so it was disappointing. 

On the subject (sort of) of cowls, I am using Master Gun barrels, and cut the original plastic guns down by the required amount.  The instructions say to simply use CA glue to stick the metal barrels in place.  The metal barrels seem to be stepped down a bit...does that mean I'm supposed to drill out the plastic barrels to insert the metal ones?

Thanks!

Allen

Wing nut - I love that one all over, but the weathering on the wing walkway is particularly nice!

-BD-

OK, so I got started on Galland's Bf-109E this week, since I'm waiting on the Alclad clear coat for my Buchon. I took pictures as I went. I am not too thrilled with the cockpit, but I built it straight out of the box (this is the Tamiya kit). This was my first time using an instrument panel decal, and I think I learned some things I'll change next time.

Anyway, once the cockpit was done, I put the plane together, and it was a really quick build. After that, I sprayed the whole thing Tamiya flat black. The two separate nose pieces are not yet glued on, as they will be yellow and easier to paint if I leave them off for now.

I started with the light blue underside/side color, sprayed the base coat, then the white shading coat and then the blend coat. After that, I masked it and then shot the RLM02 on the wings and top of the fuselage following the same three-layer color process. I made the RLM02 per Tamiya's instructions of a 1:1 mix of RLM gray and khaki.

Once I get out and get some olive drab at the shop this week, I'll paint the RLM71. Tamiya calls for it to be mixed 1:1 olive drab and khaki.

-BD-

Jay it never hurts to give it a shot.  

Joe

fightnjoe

Jay with the way it sits right now I am not sure I can get those weld lines in.  Going to try but just not sure.

Joe, maybe just the right side  since it's more visible. I wouldn't be too worried about it. Only 109 nerds like me would notice. It will look good either way and there is always the next one, at least for me anyway

Jay

Handi appreciate that.  

Marc many thanks.  

Jay with the way it sits right now I am not sure I can get those weld lines in.  Going to try but just not sure.

Brandon thanks.

Many thanks to all for such kind comments.  

As for the other builds....wow.  Simply stunning what some talented people can do with plastic and paint.

Joe

I see what you mean in the new pics. I've had the "too Green" Black Green also, generally do close to the same thing with a dark wash to tone it down, Either way, Bravo on your completion! Very sharp looking!

Doug

OK, really done this time.... I think...

Fixed the "way too green"? on the spinner and props by layering on some transparent coats of thin black Vallejo, added some exhaust staining and weathered the exhaust pipes since they were too shiny.  Different backdrop and camera = better photos.

Mustang, not trying to give ya extra work but if oyu want to, next time you update the front page pick any one of the new pics you like

She's coming along nicely, Mike!

Jack, I got my colors for the K4 off the back of the BF109 part 2 book. It has an artist rendition of that 109 in the lower picture on the back. Figured if he coulsd make it look that way why not me?

Another two completions!!

Marc - great job on the winter scheme.

I think this is the first I've seen prop blades such a bright green, very unique!

70 - splendid job with the K4.

Haven't studied late war Luftwaffe  much, so the brown/green camou is another novel aspect presented here.

regards,

Jack

Tuco, thanks for pointing out to joe that exhaust seam. I realized after mine as provided did not have them, so...... I was lucky in that I just snapped them into place, great friction fit. A little persuasion with the tip of a blade popped them right out. Fixed them this morning. Amazing how such a little change can alter your perception of something.

Thanks Guys.  And to you Mustang for running a fine GB.  And good work on the G-2.

70..   Mmmmm, nice.

I just got through going through all 91 pages of this build in an effort to catch up and either get everybody's name down that's not on the roster or to make sure I've got everybody's completed pics posted. If I'm missing anybody just let me know and it'll appear. Sorry this took so long folks and we'll get it all worked out.

wingnut: Your pic is posted pal! That sir is one good lookin' F-4 you've got there. Thank you kindly sir for being in this GB and hope you'll stick around for another build bud.

lawdog: Your pic is posted as well and both of your entries are in que for being added on the build roster.

70gtvert: What a nice build that Fujimi K-4 turned out to be! The paint work looks stunning! I don't see those Fujimi kits just everywhere.

falconmod: If you'll post the completed pics I'll get you on the Completed Builds section as well bud. Again 72nd scale.....................how do you guys do it?

Wow - these are some awesome builds!

I love the winter camo, the half-winter camo, Joe's engine, Thunder's progress on the Hasegawa, and really everything else in here.

Great work, all!

-BD-