2015 Messerschmitt Bf 109 Group Build

Thanks again guys, and lewbud I fully agree about these new tool Airfix kits.  Some very fine pieces, but are a pain to get free of the sprues without breaking - I think we need those little razor saws to get at them.

1 - as was just discussed, some really thin pieces in this kit.  The mast antenna broke in half while attempting to free it from the sprues, so had to cut up a new one from some sheet plastic.

2 - only aftermarket used so far is Master Model brass machine guns/cannons.

3 -  there was some incomplete detail where the control cable attaches to the rudder.  Fixed, again with some thinly cut sheet plastic.

So just have to mask up the canopy and wheel wells and can start shooting some primer.

regards,

Jack

Looks good Jack!  Started my E-4 today, nothing pic worthy yet just getting the pit together.  She will have one thing my new tool Airfix P-51's don't have, and that's a control stick.  Managed to get it free without breaking it in half.  I love Airfix's new stuff, but those heavy sprue attachment points on delicate parts are a major pain.

Jack that looks super!!! And this is 72nd scale?????Excellent work on the pilot!!

Bit more update on the 72nd Emil:

1 - shot of the pilot before encasing him in glass.  The figure needs to be seated in place before joining the fuselage halves.  I opted to wait till afterwards, and had to chop off his boots and carve his rump a little to fit him in.

2 - the pilot armour did not include the upper curved portion, so added a strip of sheet plastic 010" .  The kit part was also thinned to about a third of it's origninal thickness.

3 - center and aft section of canopy in place.  For the gun sight, the clear glass is created from a section cut from a plastic baggie.

4 - the kit includes a separate set of the main landing gear for the wheels up position, but didn't utilize it as I didn't like the look - there is a solid block of plastic between the bottom of the door and wheel.  So hocked some tires from a Tamiya kit and just used the regular landing bay covers.

regards,

Jack

Thanks,Mustang.

Dude I hate to hear that kind of uncertainty Allen. Been there and done that man. Take it day at a shot bud. Great to see you 'round.

Still here,lurking.Not much building goin on.Problem at one of my jobs.Not sure how much longer I will be there.

I hear you on that moose!! lol

Heya Joe!!!! For a while there I didn't spend as much time on the forums due to just not hitting the bench enough. I'm finding a better balance these days it seems. I'm also not under the gun of a show right around the corner. It's really good to see you round these parts as well buddy!

Still around myself.  

Just a ton going on and not much time to post anything.  I still keep somewhat current with the updates from everyone.

Joe

Don't have to rub it in.  I have Fridays off.  Nice when the kids and wife are at school.  I get some gaming in and bench time.  Just not a lot of time during the week.  By the time my wife and I get the kids in bed I have about an hour or so before bed.

But on the bright side the new job is one I can see retiring from in 20 years and the pay is a heck of a lot better.

That equalls more kits ( just don't tell my wife)

Kim

Dang Johnny ! Two at once eh? Will be watching! Good to see you as well pal.

Well if it aint good ol' moose!! Man do I ever here you on the changed work hours. I used to be able to get up every morning at 4:30 and have a couple of hours at the bench. Now I wake up at 3:30 every morning to hit the bench for 45 minutes to an hour. Job changes can do a number on benchtime. The good news is that I'm off 3 days a week now. Sorry I won't rub that one in too bad.....

I am still here as well.  Just lurking in the background and watching the great builds going on.   Struggling on another build.  My new job has changed my hours and finding it hard to hit the bench.

Kim

Was able to get some work done on the double build. All the flying surfaces and ordnance pylons are attached

Man I'll tell you Mike, that's the attitude to have. It just seemed like a freekin' ghost town in here for a bit. Glad to see everybody chiming in.

 You know fellas I have to apologize here a bit. I got off on an automotive modeling kick in November of last year and am learning so much cool stuff and having so much fun at it that I pretty much switched from aviation to automotive here for a bit. At first I thought I could build my truck that I'm working on and my 109 side by side. After 7 months of building this truck, that aint happening. I will , however, be here non-stop to facilitate this group build because I do enjoy seeing all these awesome builds and having a great group of folks around in which to build these masterpieces. You guys rock! Your GB host, Joe

Thanks everyone for the encouragement, and Mike, I went back to check your build of the same kit.  If it turns out near as well as your's did, I will be more than satisfied.

Here is my solution for the missing wing root detail.  I had thought of using a strip of plastic sheet, but there isn't anything thin enough for the scale.  I suppose I could of sanded beforehand, or even afterwards once glued to the fuselage, to arrive at a proper thickness.  I know from working in the past with the Evergreen product, it tends to curl up when sliced really thin.  Combined with liquid cement, I'm not sure if it would of been more mess than anything else.

1.  Four layers of masking are taped together, and then cut into strips to make a masked trough for Tamiya's liquid surface primer.

2.  Brushed on three layers, waiting about 2 mins each time as well as another short wait before removal of tape.

3.  After drying overnight, a few passes with some fine sandpaper.  A sewing needle is used to create holes for the final details.

I think the primar stage will really tell how successful this solution was.  Also, once painted, the root areas is dark while fuselage is light grey - so that helps give the illusion of separated detail.

regards,

Jack

Jack,

That IP is nuts, but fixable. The one that gets my goat is the wing root issue. HOW do you miss that during QC. That's gonna be a tougher fix. You can handle it though. Looking forward to the build.

BK

Great to see you handi!!

Keep up the great work everyone,, been watching from a distance but still here man!

It's great to see all the recent posters in here. It's nice to know that the upgrades haven't run you guys off. I thought everybody had folded up shop and left the way things were going.

Man Jack that sucks!! Hang in there pal and I'll be watching for the remedy here......

Finally got something going on the bench for this one.  Because of the back log of BG's, I opted to go to a smaller scale in hopes of a quicker build - not so as you will see ...

Still an Emil and the Airfix brand, but in 72nd scale.   This is their newer tool, first problem being the IP decals which are too big.  Easy fix though, just trim them after application.

After some research, the above was confirmed by others.  The next blemish to discover was the wing root detail was missing on the starboard fuselage, but beautifully rendered on the port half section.

Last one isn't that much of a problem (usual to putty and sand this area anyways), but the engraved panel lines on both fuselages just trail off to nothingness:

Any Seinfeld fans out there, they will get this;

regards,

Jack

Lookin' forward to it John!

Rigidrider

Bish... Excellent finish! I figured that with what you were able to do with a 72nd that you could really shine with this one (32nd) . Really a super build!  Hope you will consider more large scales.

Doug

 

Thanks Doug, i do have about 10 more in the stash, so this definatly won't be my last.

Good to see you back.