Axis Aces Sep 2006 - Jun 2007

Thanks for the comments guys, Darren, I had the same reaction to the resin tail (what the fa?) To make a long story short, Last Nov, I was given the kit *free* by the local LHS owner but it was an unboxed kit he had just bought as part of a collection (I guess he was feeling generous).  The collector had bought a resin tail for it to replace the kit tail but he had totally removed the kit tail from the rest of the peices so the LHS owner also gave me the resin tail so I had a complete kit.  It is supposed to have a more accurate shape.  In the long run I ended up accidentally breaking off the trim tabs so it isn't very accurate any more!, resin is soooo delicate!  As for the kits, the G is the 1:72 Hasegawa G-6 with Hartman decals, Barkhorn decals and one other ace.  The other is the very nice 1:72 Heller Bf-109B/C.  It actually had side wall details where the Hasegawa didn't!. 

Bob, for the seat belts, I used masking tape and the hardware/buckles are actually just pieces of tape painted darker with silver pen for the metal look. I used this great article from Hyperscale.  http://www.hyperscale.com/features/maskingtapeseatbeltsrf_1.htm

Silentmodeler - this is what I came up with for the three aces you listed from your 21st Century Toys kit.  I used this site to get the statistics, great list. It is unreal how many high scoring Luftwaffe Aces there are....   

 http://www.axishistory.com/index.php?id=7886

Frank Liesendahl - 5 kills

Max-Hellmuth Ostermann - 102

Viktor Bauer - 106

I hope that helps. 

Wow, I disappear for a day or two and so much happens!  Hopefully I won't miss anything here in my post:

Chris - again, outstanding work on Hartmann's Bf109G-14, I saved your pictures to use as a reference for mine, if you don't mind.    I'll add your Bf109F-4 Trop "Yellow 14" Marseille to the front page, as well as a link to your finished build.  Is your f-4 the Hasegawa kit?

Bob - wow, awesome job on your FW190!  Your paint and finish are superb!  I admire your perseverence with all the extra work!  Great job! 

Jay - your 109 is coming along nicely!  I'm getting 109 fever again and will work on my G-14 for this build while I also build my Bf109D for the Spanish Civil War build.  Glad to see you're back in action here, looking forward to seeing more updates amigo! 

Lot's of great work here gentlemen, and thanks for participating. 

p.s. Silentmodeller - Yes, that kit will work fine for this build.  I have some great references on German Aces (especially 109 pilots) so as soon as I get done doing a couple of things for my lovely wife, I'll post I'll dig up what I have for you. 

Thanks Bob, the reason I asked is that I using mostly Gunze acrylics these days and was curious to see if you were using the same as I like the level of contrast you get between the RLM 74 & 75.

Cheers

Darren-Thanks.  I used Model Master Acrylics, thinned with Testors Acrylic thinner, Future & Model Master Acrylic Flat.   RML 74/75/76 w/Krylon white primer.

I'll take another top shot & post later this week.

FeldMarSchall, Jay & Chris-Thanks.

Jay-nice work on the 109's-I especially like the tape belts.  What do you use for buckles/hardware?

WOW...I step away from my computer to make a Home Depot run and all these update pics!!!  I'm blown away!  Amazing 190 bobbaily...and jboutin, incredible progress pics...please keep us posted!

Aloha,

Chris

Wow! some great builds Mokulele and Bob.  I finally have some progress pics, they've been on my camera for the last two weeks and I finally got them off.  The actual builds haven't progressed much beyond what you see here as I have been trying to finish a Spitfire Mk9.  Have a look see anyway. This is a Bf-109G I will be doing as one of Hartmans.  The other one in the double pic is a Bf-109B I am doing for the Spanish Civil War GB.  The only thing I added to this little kit is the tape seat belts.

I'm done.  The Hasegawa kit was a mixed bag-a lot of good detail & fit, but too many cross-ap's, i.e., one kit for many variants.  The gun holes had to be drilled out, the underwing gunbay doors had areas that needed to be filled & sanded (which I didn't realize until the underwing was painted.  At that point I decided to cut my losses....).  Also, the left (port, starbard, whatever) wing walk decal shifted a bit on me....Also, the landing gear was a bear!  When all is said & done, I would build the same kit again...next time a little more alert.  However, the new Eduard A-5 is setting in the stash with no 'cross variant' mods necessary....

Anyway, any & all comments are welcome.

Scott-thanks for running this GB-it's been fun. 

Thanks bobbaily!  I appreciate all the comments!! 

Silentmodeler, for the exhaust staining I start by airbrushing 2 colors (by colors I actually mean tinted thinner...thinner with only a drop or 2 of color)...first an earthy brown then black.  I build up each color very slowly until I get the look I want.  I then brush on a touch of rust (or a shade of orange) pastel from immediately behind the exhaust going only a little ways back.

I'm sure if you did a search for 'exhaust staining' you'd find a better way to do it.  I'm kinda new to this hobby and am learning everyday.  Most of the tips I got were from this forum and Floyd Werner's DVD.  I can't wait to see your progress.  Don't forget to post pics ASAP!!!

Scott, please put me down for another contribution to this awesome build:  1/48 Bf109 F-4Trop 'Yellow 14' Marseille.

Aloha,

Chris

Darren-nice progress.

Chris-outstanding job!

and also chris   NICE job on weathering on the side of nose by exhaust pipe,   how do u do that?  im still little awakard on it but im getting there

Thanks Scott and Bud!  Your encouragement has given me fuel to start yet another Bf109.

Silentmodeler, I believe Liesendahl was an ace and a recipient of the Luftwaffe Knights Cross.  I'm not an expert on the matter so I could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time...hehehe).

Aloha,

Chris

hey again

I was at store and saw a Bf-109 aircraft and in 1/32 scale from 21st century toys which i never hear of that company. so i got it at good price.  Now....  im wondering if this Bf 109 fit this group build?  Im not very familar with the german aces.  if so  does Bf-109f-4/b and pilot is Oblit Frank Liesendahl Staffelkapitian was one of aces?  let me know thanks  hopefully i got the right one  if not  then i can use it for my extra projects

as for pilot  it also have Bf 109F-2  flown by Lt. Max-Hellmuth Ostermann and Bf 109F-4 flown by Oblt. Viktor Bauer Staffelkapitan  let me know too thanks

WOW, Sweet Build there Chris........

Now I know the build / weathing / and the over al look of this Build is GREAT..... BUT, I think the MOST Outstanding thing on this build " at lest to me" is the seat belt haning off the side.

Bud

Wow, great job Chris!  I'm always impressed with your builds and this one is no exception.  Great job on the winter scheme, perfect weathering and your base adds a really nice touch!  

Nicely done amigo! 

P.S.  Seeing your completed build makes me want to get back to work on mine (I'm doing that same plane and scheme).  I've had to put it off to the side for a bit while I catch up on all my other group builds with looming deadlines.

Thanks Darren!  I started to do the research on backdating an A-8 to an A-7, but the doctor said I was allergic to research.   I only got as far as movement of the belly rack.  Thanks for taking the time and posting the correct panels to cover too!  You da man!

Anyway here are those pics I promised.  They are of Hartmann's winterized G-14 (in the books as a G-6):

I've been tempted to finally tackle one of my 1/32 Hasegawa G-6s.  Seeing as how Scott graciously extended the deadline on this GB, I just might...

Aloha,

Chris

Chris thank you for the kind words and of course you can use whatever you want from my build, that's what this hobby is all about.

Cheers 

Wow Darren!  I have the same set of decals and will be doing the exact same build as yourself.  If you don't mind, I'd like to use your amazing work as a blueprint for mine.  Outstanding job!!!  I too can't wait for the updates.

I just finished my 2nd Hartmann Bf109 today.  As soon as I take some pics I'll post them ASAP! 

Aloha,

Chris

Looking forward to the pics Darren. 

Time for a little BUMP on this thread and a small update.

Unfortunately the weather here has been very humid lately and as I'm trying to paint the 190 it's making things a little difficult.

I've done the pre-shading now and have finished painting the RLM 76 on the lower wing surfaces and fuselage.  I'll post a couple more progress pics once the main 74/75 camo.

Cheers

Thanks guys, I know there is not much to see but I just wanted to get a couple of shots in before I seal her up and begin painting.

Cheers 

Darson: Wow...that's coming along nicely. I consider those "teaser" shots...keep the pictures coming!