Axis Aces Sep 2006 - Jun 2007

Bob: My thought is to leave it as is. The justification is:

a. It doesn't stick out. In fact if you wouldn't have mentioned it I probably wouldn't have noticed it.

b. Considering "a", it's not worth damaging your already nice paint job. It's like declining a penalty on an extra point...never take points off the board and

c. It's on the underside of the wing so no one will see it once it's displayed.

 That being said, if it's really bugging you, do what you need to do. I know sometimes I just have to go back and correct something to get it off my mind!

ok...it's decision time.  When I put the underwing gun cover door on, I thought that it was a big gap.  Kit is designed to make an A-4 version, so there is a different part included for that one.  Well, I proceeded on, not worrying about it until I was putting on the stencils yesterday and noticed that the kit instructions didn't show a gap as big as the one I have......so I'm debating whether to chalk this one up to 'lesson learned' or try to fill it in & repaint that area.  Any thoughts?

espins1 wrote:

Hey guys, I may ditch the pilot in my Bf109G-14.  If I do that I'm going to need to put some seatbelts on the seat.  Are there any sets of just seatbelts available out there for a Bf109G-14? (I would imagine the belts would be the same as on the G-6).

 I don't know who actually has them in stock (maybe  Hobby Link Japan?), but check these out:

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/ISL/Fine%20Molds/AC-18/FM_AC-18.htm

mucker wrote:

ollie wrote:  espins1 wrote: Looks nice Mucker!  I was joking around with the guys that own/run my LHS the other day, that it would be nice if they were open 24/7 because I always run out of a paint when they are closed.  I suggested they put a vending machine out front for just such an emergency.  Paints and glue, im always running out of glue at the wrong time. O and what you guys call a local hobby store in my town would be nice.  Looks like another candidate for Scott's patented vending machines...

hmmm.... the wheels are turning.....

ollie wrote:

espins1 wrote: Looks nice Mucker!  I was joking around with the guys that own/run my LHS the other day, that it would be nice if they were open 24/7 because I always run out of a paint when they are closed.  I suggested they put a vending machine out front for just such an emergency.      Paints and glue, im always running out of glue at the wrong time. O and what you guys call a local hobby store in my town would be nice.

 Looks like another candidate for Scott's patented vending machines...

espins1 wrote:

Looks nice Mucker!  I was joking around with the guys that own/run my LHS the other day, that it would be nice if they were open 24/7 because I always run out of a paint when they are closed.  I suggested they put a vending machine out front for just such an emergency.

Paints and glue, im always running out of glue at the wrong time. O and what you guys call a local hobby store in my town would be nice.

mucker wrote:

espins1 wrote: I was joking around with the guys that own/run my LHS the other day, that it would be nice if they were open 24/7 because I always run out of a paint when they are closed.  I suggested they put a vending machine out front for just such an emergency.  Now THAT's innovation! They'd have to come with a "Born On" date, though...

heh heh heh

espins1 wrote:

I was joking around with the guys that own/run my LHS the other day, that it would be nice if they were open 24/7 because I always run out of a paint when they are closed.  I suggested they put a vending machine out front for just such an emergency.

Now THAT's innovation! They'd have to come with a "Born On" date, though...

Mucker-looking very nice.

Scott-I know what you mean...and my unorganized inventory doesn't help matters any.

Looks nice Mucker! 

I was joking around with the guys that own/run my LHS the other day, that it would be nice if they were open 24/7 because I always run out of a paint when they are closed.  I suggested they put a vending machine out front for just such an emergency. 

...and a few more. I got the pre-shading and the lower surface RLM 76 on tonight. I see a few flaws and will touch up tomorrow. Mainly the front fuselage to wing root: I've missed a gap on both sides. The pictures don't show it well, but I half-arsed the aft fuselage seam and it looks rather poor. I've had a bad cold the last few days and the fatigue is getting to me.

I was miffed becuase I am out of my favorite paint, Color of Eagles, in RLM 76. I'm using Pollyscale, which is another one high on my list, but so far nothing matches the finish of CoE (from my experience).

mucker wrote:

Just so I can prove I'm actually building, here is my progress so far on the Bf109F-4. Nothing spectacular, just plastic and glue at this point. I've had some fit issue with the cowl, but at this point I attribute this to my skill, not the kit. Otherwise it's been a fast, simple build. The tough part will be the camo. If I can duplicate Bob's work I'll be happy.

Mucker-thanks but the camo isn't that hard. Trust me-I'm not that good. The upper was masked off using silly putty-be careful though-sometimes new silly putty will react with paint (in my case, MM acrylic on a Panther tank).  One could use the process I used for the mottle.  The side mottle was accomplished by cutting out small holes in an index card (cut to size to fit the side fuselage) and attached by using blue tack (or other poster putty) to extent the hole out a bit.  Finally, a thinned (very thinned) mix of the base color is sprayed over the mottle to 'tone it down' a bit.  Nothing original, just processes picked up in FSM & the forums.

btw-looking good on your build.

Just so I can prove I'm actually building, here is my progress so far on the Bf109F-4. Nothing spectacular, just plastic and glue at this point. I've had some fit issue with the cowl, but at this point I attribute this to my skill, not the kit. Otherwise it's been a fast, simple build. The tough part will be the camo. If I can duplicate Bob's work I'll be happy.

Part of the decals are on-still need to do the small stencils.  I hate doing the 'wing walk' decals!  The kit decals were very user friendly.  That and a little Solveaset works wonders.

mucker wrote:

OK, Scott, I'm officially opening the box and rolling up the sleeves! I'll be doing the JG54 scheme of the Bf109F flown by Oblt. Max-Helmuth Osterman on the Russian Front in 1942. Osterman ended up with 102 kills in total. It looks to be a fun kit!

Sweet!  I'm looking forward to seeing updates on your build!

Progress has slowed on mine for a bit while I wrapped up some other projects.  I'll be working on it a bit from time to time this weekend, along with my P-38F and my Panther Ausf. A.

bobbaily wrote:

Thanks Scott.  Since those pics were taken, I sprayed a 50/50 mix of RLM 76 & thinner to 'tone down' the mottle a bit more. Picked up that tip from one of the other group builds (think it was Tom        (tho9900).  Seems to have worked.  At least I'm happy with it.  I still need to practice on my mottle, but that will come with practice.....I hope....

Nice Bob!  I can't wait to see the pics! 

Thanks guys.

status update:

Looking good Bob!  

Good luck with the mottling.   That's one of the hardest things to do, I'm slowly getting the hang of it myself.