2015 Messerschmitt Bf 109 Group Build

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

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 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 done Matt!

Doug

YES!!! Go For It!

That's a serious Simpsonism! I wonder if the original creator's estate got a dime?

I just remembered -- I have markings for a "crazy roadmap" scheme in my spares box, they were an option in the Tamiya E-3 kit I built in '08 (IIRC), the sheet was a Cartograph special, so top quality... With my current AB skills I *might* be able to consider it!

M/TB379

Allen,  Thanks for the kind words, yeah, the first attempt I made was less then acceptable,  but you just have to try, anf practice until you get the results you want.

Jack, thanks for the info! Very cool, and yes, the resemblance is k7nda notable isnt it... Doh!

D'Oh!

Joe - great choice of marking from 8th Staffel JG26 - I have an Emil marked similarly, but is languishing in a box unfinished due to some weathering hiccups.

Anyhow, their symbol is from a Swedish wordless cartoon strip named Adamson,created by  Oscar Jacobsson and was based on the misadventures of this character.  It was also published in the States as Silent Sam.  The staffel was sometimes referred to as Adamsonstaffel.

Notice the resemblance to Homer Simpson?   Hmmm....

regards,

Jack

I don't even know where to begin.  There are so many fantastic builds going on in here, and so much activity...I thought the Butcher Bird GB was busy!

Doug - you nailed that Road Map camouflage.  Thanks for bringing it to life.  After watching your progress, I have an idea how to do it, but am now confident that I am not ready to attempt, so thanks for saving me the frustration. Haha!

Brandon - that's a beauty you've got going on.  I love all the unique builds happening and that Buchon is really sweet.  Alclad is another thing I've stocked up on but not attempted.  lol.  so many ambitions, so little courage it seems.

Joe (Lawdog) - you've got a pretty big, well earned fan base around here.  I know my favourites section is chock full of your builds and tutorials.  Looking forward to more.

I managed to get some bench time with my shiny new mug at my side.  Will post some pics of progress later.  I just felt the need to catch up here and chime in before I get further behind.

Allen

Brandon that is looking pretty  darn sweet.

Joe normally I would 'bring it on" but boy howdy am I ever screwing this build up.  

The "Work smarter nor harder' principle is not be applied here in any way , shape or form.  Bad choices, bad mistakes, bad technique... see a theme developing here?  I'll put up pics of all the "bad" soon.  I am still trying to unbad stuff.  

Brandon, That looks stunning.  If there are flaws I surely can't tell. 

Fightnjoe:  That DB is excellent. 

Jack:  I'm all humor...perhaps too much. Things in this life that scare me are listed in the following order:

1. Spiders    2. Needles  3.  Ghosts .......then perhaps aliens

Raider:  No worries, your amongst friends.  They banned most of those knuckleheads.  Most of us realize these are plastic models afterall, and treat them thusly.  I happen to fall into the "f--- it close enough" catergory..   Looks like your off to a great start. 

Wing Nut:  I guess we both will be doing dual group builds.  We'll do them in tandem yeah?  Lots o' copy and pastage.... 

So thats a segue into a question.  Permission to build another for this fine Group Build? I've read nothing but good things about the Zveda Frederich series so had to grab one. Look what showed up on my doorstep yesterday......

I will be doing a JG 26 bird, namely Gustav "Micky" Sprick's yellow nosed F-2. Sprick had 31 kills before being KIA during combat with Spitfires on June 28th 1941. I am however curious to who the half-naked, club-wielding dude is on the fuselage side. Kinda scares me...

Joe

Thanks everyone for the kind words on the finish, but I assure you, it's just a glamorous camera angle. The starboard wing (at least the inboard portion) is kind of a mess. Fortunately, the decals help hide some of the issues, and I'm liking it more now.

So the decals are on, the masking is off, and the hardest part was putting on the stripes from the cowl. Took TONS of micro sol, and I actually had to cut the decals around the cowl bulges, then paint over the slits. AlcladII says not to use solvents, but Micro Sol didn't do anything to the paint job.

Just a bit left to do - paint the wheels, paint the tail wheel fork, dirty up the main wheel struts, paint and add on the landing gear doors, paint and add the rockets and their pods, then add the miscellany, like the pitot tube and the armor plate in the canopy before gluing it on (it's just sitting there for the photo).

Looks like a plane, though!

-BD-

wing_nut

With 13 votes (46%) the winner is Yellow 6

freem

Glad to see a Hobbycraft 109

Jeff  Glad to see a Hobbycraft 109!! Looks like a good start on  the 'pit to me.  Got almost all of the HC 109s in my stash and I think they are decent kits.  Much is to be learned with this bunch that's for sure!

Since I am getting closer to primer and no new votes being cast, although I don't think it would make a difference at this point.  The half votes are for the guys that just couldn't make up their minds. I know I couldn't LOL. If those 2 had tied for 1st I would have made the final call which would have been Black 8.

Black 1 - 0

Brown 13 - 2

Black 8 - 4 1/2

V-03 (Hungarian) - 6 1/2

Drum roll...

With 13 votes (46%) the winner is Yellow 6

Handi really like how the prop looks.

Piers, I have pile of Luftwaffe sheets.  I look for a 6 for ya.  just gotta remember to look for a 9 as well to double my chances of finding one.

Jeff. Welcome aboard. Nicest guys ever. Especially this GB.

Jeff, welcome to our Merry Band of Plastiholics!  As everyone has said before, this is a great group of people on this site.  I too have run into some "less than helpful/desirable folks" on other forums.  I'm glad I'm here and everyone is so nice.

jelliott:I generally get people asking me good questions about modeling and very few have given me any static (at least to my face..lol). Most folks think its cool but won't do it.

Piers: It's great to see you in here and am very much looking forward to your build. .

handi: Man I've gotta say I really enjoy each and every one of your builds. This 109 of yours is really breathtaking in terms of paint and detail! Keep up the good work good buddy!

Jeff: We're all glad you're here and don't worry about anyone here. First off there's nobody here that will give you any junk or crap and secondly if somebody ever does, we'll take care of it. You're in good company here bud!

Hey Lost,

Try microscale.com for German letters and number for the Luftwaffe.  I bought some a few months ago and they are pretty nice.

There's some really great work getting done here.  Gonna throw my hat in the ring one I get a few other GB models done.

Steve