Aces on the Wrong Side of History GB - 2018

Probably my last update for the next month or so, since 'work' is getting ready to seriously impose on the modeling time for a bit. Can't be helped.

Basic fuselage work is done, with the fuselage itself assembled and seams cleaned up/rescribed. Since the fuselage is a carry-over from the company's earlier -F model, some molded fuselage details like fuel-fill and access hatches had to be done away with, some re-positioned, and some new ones scribed in. I added the prominent circular compass hatch on the lower port side, for example.

The kit's optional 'tall' tail was a pretty good match shape-wise for the one indistict photo I have of the real a/c I'm portraying, so no drastic reshaping was required. But it appears my bird had the smooth wooden-construction rudder, so the prominent ribs molded on the kit piece had to go. Likewise the upper and lower trim tabs; many versions of the tall tail had these, but as best I can tell mine had only the Flettner tab ...for which an actuator arm will be added, in due course. Horizontal stabs had the same heavy ribbing---and a company logo---that likewise had to go.

The kit came with large holes in the aft cockpit bulkhead, to allow the kit canopy's fairly sturdy 'peg' style hinges to pivot; I filled these and sanded off the kit's barey-visible baggage hatch outine, and replaced the hatch with styrene with photo-etch brackets. (A bit more to be added there, after painting.)

I still haven't quite decided whether to use the kit's canopy---which, while thick, is clear and nicely-molded---or whether to go for the Radu Brinzan photo-etch version I have in the stash. We'll see.

Once the fuselage is wrapped up, I'll tackle issue of the bit of dihedral that needs to be added to the wing assembly...and start detailing-up oil coolers and landing gear wells.

Thanks to all for following along.

Tomcat: Very nice start on your 109...and lots of other cool projects, as well!

Bruce:  Very nice work thus far!

hogfanfs

Yes this PE kit replaces a lot of the detail. But, it's the first time I've used a pre-painted set. A part of me thinks I'm cheating. Then, I almost got carried away and started adding the painted piece before painting the base RLM. The external set does really add some nice details, so I'll try to get some of that done soon and show you guys.

I used to have that 'cheating' sensation as well...then realized that there are far more projects than time to do them, and the tradeoff---making the project look that much better---is worth the 'cheat.' (Plus, I spent decades scratchbuilding cockpits and instrument panels, literally gauge by gauge: I have the satisfaction of knowing I can do it...but it doesn't really bother me any more not to have to! )

@Tomcat,

I took a look at the video, nice start on the 109! And I will second Waggish, the dry brushing really does make the IP pop!

@Clint,

Yes this PE kit replaces a lot of the detail. But, it's the first time I've used a pre-painted set. A part of me thinks I'm cheating. Then, I almost got carried away and started adding the painted piece before painting the base RLM. The external set does really add some nice details, so I'll try to get some of that done soon and show you guys.

@Bish,

Thank you, sir!

Thanks!  

Nice work on the PE there Bruce.

That’s some mighty fine cockpit detail!

Well, I finally started on the G-2. Here is the kit I'm building:

The Eduard PE purchased for this build:

And the decals for Grislawski's G-2:

What's been completed so far:

I have to say, I'm really enjoying working with PE. I have a bit more to finish on the cockpit before I start shooting the paint. And then several of the painted PE panels will be added. 

Thanks for looking and I hope to have another update soon.

Greg,

Wow! that cockpit is outstanding! Bravo!

Tomcat, your drybrushing was SUPER effective on the IP! Looking good!

I've tried embedding images into this forum and it simply doesn't work, so I've uploaded a video on my youtube channel showing my progress on my 109.  Constructive criticism is welcome!

https://youtu.be/CNqwRApiKhk

Greg, that cockpit is looking incredible, especially given what you started with!

-TheWaggishAmerican

aeroplanegripper

Greg, I echo the comments here, that cockpit looks awesome. Well done. I love the detail and the weathering, that is a well used office.

Much appreciated!

Greg, I echo the comments here, that cockpit looks awesome. Well done. I love the detail and the weathering, that is a well used office.

Thanks, Tony & Rambo. I always liked the 'cobbled together' look of the 109 cockpits!

Thats a lesson in how to do it Greg, amazing work. 

Cheers

Tony

My Mersu cockpit is pretty much done.

I figured the molded detail on the kit's cockpit sides would paint up decently, so I left most of it intact...just adding styrene bits for handles and deep-relief features, some thin-diameter solder for various lines, and the assorted add-ons the Eduard etch set provided. Here's a 'before and after' of the port side:

Same deal for the starboard side...though I did scratchbuilt the distinctive oxygen regulator from a sprue disc and some small-size rod and tube (with an Eduard faceplate):

Not completely 'buttoned up' yet, but here's the finished cockpit 'effect' (minus the not-yet-added shoulder harnesses):

On to fuselage work.

TheWaggishAmerican

Greg, that 'pit is looking INCREDIBLE! Those Eduard sets are fantastic! How does the printed color compare to your paint for the pit? I've always wanted to give these pre-painted photoetch bits a shot, but I'm peterified that the match will be painfully obviously different.

Thanks!

The deal with Eduard and their pre-colored sets seems to be a roll of the dice. As you might see in my previously-posted photos above, the colors in this set look dead-on to me...and I've been looking at a lot of 109 cockpit photos recently. On the other hand...I've got some older pre-colored sets of theirs...probably from when the process was fairly new...where the colors are just weird: 'baby blue' Luftwaffe cockpits and slightly orange-tinted RAF ones. It seems like they might have gotten those color issues dialed in a little more accurately, now.

As to matching, I tend to mix my own colors much of the time, so it's not a big issue. (Besides...if you look closely at photos of original aircraft...you'll often see a slight 'mis-match' in colors in the real thing! Manufacturing processes being what they are, components from different sources and production runs were frequently installed in the same aircraft; they obviously weren't as careful about 'accuracy' as we modelers are....)

gregbale

Now that my WW1 Halberstadt is done, I can devote a bit more time to my Mersu, as the Finns called the sturdy Bf109.

The Eduard etch set I'm using was actually designed for the Hasegawa kit...

Greg, that 'pit is looking INCREDIBLE! Those Eduard sets are fantastic! How does the printed color compare to your paint for the pit? I've always wanted to give these pre-painted photoetch bits a shot, but I'm peterified that the match will be painfully obviously different.  

kyleSD70MAC

I'm in. I'll be making his "White 3" Me 262 instead, using the Tamiya kit. 

Welcome, and added! You don't see too many people build Stigler 262, it'll be an interesting project!

-WaggishAmerican

Bish

Nice job on those belts Greg. They sou7nds as much fun to put together as HGW belts.

 

I've got one of the HGW sets I'm saving for the Revell 109G, but figured I'd thin my backlog of older 'accessories' first. They look about the same level of cross-eyed and fumble-fingered difficulty!

Nice job on those belts Greg. They sou7nds as much fun to put together as HGW belts.

hogfanfs

@Greg,

Wow! Your cockpit looks, well, upea!

Kiitos paljon!

I appreciate the props, guys.

Hashing on with more cockpit fun. I'm using one of Radu Brinzan's neat harness sets for the first time:

I decided to add a tea colored wash to the paper-fiber 'belty' bits, just to put a little age and wear on. (The original yellow-tan color is on the right):

And after an hour or so of threading tiny bits through tinier openings (with my Optivisor knock-off and two pairs of locking needle-nose tweezers), they're ready for the seat-pan. The nearly-finished  'tub,' with Quickboost resin control stick added, and rudder pedals, cannon-cover strap and floor-mounted control box detail from the Eduard etch set:

@Greg,

Wow! Your cockpit looks, well, upea!

I'm in. I'll be making his "White 3" Me 262 instead, using the Tamiya kit. 

Greg, lovely work on the pit, thats looking very nice.

That IP is very good Greg.

Cheers

Tony

Rambo

Greg: Great job on that gun sight, did you do anything to the 3d bits on the IP to make them less flat looking? I will add drops of white glue to the PE levers and repaint.

Thanks.

I'll generally just ignore the flat switch and lever bits in the etch set...unless they're a complex shape of some sort...and just replace them with ones made from sprue and/or bits of styrene rod or strip. But yes, like you, I use white glue for knobs and handles.