Battle of Britain GB 2008 - 21 June to 31 Oct 08

Daywalker wrote:

Darren- Could you add the Spitfire I built to the list too?  Figured it counted as one that sat around for a while waiting to get finished.  Thanks!

Darren, hey while you're at it could you make a slight correction on My Do 17, it's actually a 1/72 Monogram kit.  Thank you sir!

Hi all,

Well, I'm sold on the Promodeller wash! It's a fantastic result, I'd never have expected so crisp and clean a definition in so small a scale, and also that the contrast would feel so 'right' -- amazing! There's been discussion lately about panel washes being more artistic than realistic, a situation where less-is-more, and this certainly feels on the realistic side of that equation.

I see there are four shades -- which did you use, Mike? I'd have thought black would be too stark for 1:72 except over a very dark base colour -- if pursuing other techniques I'd have been mixing a mid-gray.

Got two bits for the Dornier glued together last night. Poor fit on the nacelle halves, they needed reinforcing and will call for a spreader of some sort to match the cowl width. I have the main wing together and will add the nacelles in the next bit of work.

Cheers,

TB379/Mike

Mike,

I used the "Dark" wash (which is kind of a medium-dark gray color) on my Emil which is good for light to medium colors.  I have not used the Black yet, but I think it would work well for darker schemes, here's an F-4 that I did with the dark, I think it would have looked better with the black because you don't get much of an effect here:

Hi Mike,

I see -- I think I'll order some! The gray is subtle... Frankly, your F-4 looks the deal to me, it comes out on the realistic side of the equation, and while the eye has become used to clearly accented panel lines as a modern modelling standard, my eye sees a much more realistic effect here -- it makes me want to pull out something and build it quick!

This shade should also be excellent for USN gray-and-whites... the possibilities are endless. I'll have to watch the use vid at the site.

Cheers,

Mike TB379

PS: That's a beautiful Ferdinand of JG54 -- what was the kit, and what decals???

Thunderbolt379 wrote:

Hi Mike, I see -- I think I'll order some! The gray is subtle... Frankly, your F-4 looks the deal to me, it comes out on the realistic side of the equation, and while the eye has become used to clearly accented panel lines as a modern modelling standard, my eye sees a much more realistic effect here -- it makes me want to pull out something and build it quick! This shade should also be excellent for USN gray-and-whites... the possibilities are endless. I'll have to watch the use vid at the site. Cheers, Mike TB379 PS: That's a beautiful Ferdinand of JG54 -- what was the kit, and what decals???

Thanks, Mike.  It's the FineMolds kit and the decals are Aeromaster's "Luftwaffe Top Guns".

Beautiful work on the Emil, Mikester .

Regards,  Rick

 Wow, that is looking real nice there Mike.  I'm really going to have to step up to the plate with you and Frank setting the bar so high on the 109's.  Thanks for the tip on the wash.  I think I'll have to hunt some down too.  

Hi Mike,

FineMolds and Aeromaster -- gotcha!

The decals arrived in today's mail, many thanks! I checked them against the instruction sheet and found where they go, with the exception  of the white 'B's -- where on the airframe would they end up? I can research the KG3 squadron badge and take a crack at creating it as a custom decal on some white inkjet decal paper I have.

Excellent!!!

TB379/Mike

Mike, I think the white "B"'s are the outline for the red "B"'s, it's a two part decal so you get a red "B" with a white outline.

I'm confused on the squadron badge, I thought I put those in the envelope, should be the red and white shield with the two Maltese crosses on it?

Hi Mike,

Yes! I checked the envelope again and there they are -- the badges.

Ah, now I see! It's actually a black fine B that overlies the heavier white B to create the fuselage code. No worries!

Well, I gotta crack on with this beast. I'm doing some PhD work right now on a gray and cold afternoon in Aus, so I might reward myself with a bit of plastic art... One nacelle half left to scribe! Then I can assemble the port nacelle, mount both to the wing and get some filler into the joint (looks like it'll need it, no way will that gap pass muster as a natural panel division!)

I'm still waiting for that package from Hong Kong, I'm dying for that Tamiya Emil!

Cheers,

Mike/TB379

Hi Mike,

Right, everything's under control -- accessories are on their way too. Vacform clear parts, weighted tires, balkenkreuzers and swastikas. Next I need to go shoppig for paints, and some of that panel wash.

I've scribed and assembled the starboard nacelle. The parts fit is poor, very flimsy, it'll take some superglue here and there. They'll strengthen up when the engines are attached, but that'll be later in assembly.

Cheers,

Mike TB379

Hi Darren,

This is a busy build, and a lot of fun! Could you update my listing also? I'm still waiting on that Emil (any day now, c'mon Australia Post! You can do it!), but I've made a good start on the vintage 1:72 Matchbox Do 17 Z-2, with decals courtesy of Luftwaffle and accessories by Squadron.

Cheers,

Mike / TB379

Thanks Darren, much appreciated!  It was a great kit and one I enjoy building often.  Prolly will do another one for next year's BoB GB!

I don't remember the page it was posted on, but Stan (Phoenix7187) finished his 109 as well.

darson wrote:

Mike RLM 02 is the correct color for the IP before the Germans switched over to RLM 66 and fantastic work on that 109 of yours, you would honestly never know it wasn't 48th scale. Cheers

Darren- Thanks! I had some color pics of the IP but they were restored aircraft, which are always suspect.

Mike, very nice work indeed and like the way its turning out

Steve

OK, she's finished, all of about 2 1/2 days of work, this is a record for me I think! 

Once again "White 2" of 4./JG 51 operating from Marquise, France in August of 1940, piloted by Ofw. Hans Illner.  Illner's combat career lasted until 5 November 1940.  While flying over England in another aircraft he noticed a Spitfire coming in from behind.  As an evasive maneuver he put the plane in a high speed dive but lost the starboard wing while pulling out.  He was obliged to bale out and was captured.

What's next on the agenda?  I have no idea!

 Absolutely astounding Mike! That has got to be near the best 1/72 109 done in 2 . 5 days I have ever seen! I am crazy about your choice of markings as well. Looks concasmigorical fer sure! Yo!

 All the work here is just the best thing since sliced bread! Been all I can do to keep up with the E-mails! Darren may have to take holiday just to keep up!

Outstanding work Mike!!!

2.5 days?  My spinner took longer than that.  Beautiful work there my frind, and the photos are awesome too!

Mike,  Absolutely beautiful Emil .

Regards,  Rick

Now thats some top notch work there Mike! I love that Emil and the markings are a nice choice also.

                                                                           Soulcrusher

Oh yeah Mike. Shes a doozy for sure. Looks spot on from here anyhow. You say you did it in 2 1/2 days. Frabulungtious for sure buddy.

Plenty of time till the end of the GB so hows about another 30 or so?

...Guy

Luftwoller wrote:

Oh yeah Mike. Shes a doozy for sure. Looks spot on from here anyhow. You say you did it in 2 1/2 days. Frabulungtious for sure buddy. Plenty of time till the end of the GB so hows about another 30 or so? ...Guy

Thanks for the comments guys.

Guy- 30 more, huh?  Only if you know a good divorce lawyer (barrister?)!

Well I am still at a standstill! No Airfix Hurricane that I ordered back on the Aug 3 and no decals that I order over two weeks ago from a different supplier! The good new is i made good progress on my  Tamiya Fw190 D for the Fw190 GB. She is already in the paint shop. Stark contrast compared to the Hurricane when airbrushing. On the Hurricane every color separation is masked. On the 190 every color separation is soft edged! Man I better have something in my hands tomorrow afternoon or I'm gonna start kickin' some butts!

                                                                                         Soulcrusher

Hi Mike,

That's a 2.5 day build? I'm absolutely blown away! Your 109s are amongst the best work I've ever seen, and you really give me a standard to aim for! The overall standard of work on this GB is amazing, it's truly publication quality, and I'm very glad to be involved!

Mike/TB379

Almost forgot! Darren than you for updating my info on the front page but i need one more favor from you pal. My Classic Airframe fabric wing Hurricane has risen from the dead! She has been stripped cleaned up and repainted now currenty wating on a very late set of new decals. thanks buddy.

                                                                       Soulcrusher

Actual photografic proof!

Pbbbth.... pplnnvbbber...  sorry for the unitintelligible blather.  Just tying to comprehend how Mike built that Me 109 in 2 and half days.    Outofthisfreekinworld Mike!   

Mine is going to take 2 and a half months at my current rate. 

Holy cow Mike. Stop joking with us, please tell me its 1/48. I cant make a 1/48 look that good. Your build inspired me to do an 1/72 Airfix to go along with my FW-200, someone asked for a scale refrence so I am building Gallands bird. I can only hope mine is half as good as yours turned out. Congrats on a great build.

Steve