LetLetLet ~ Warplanes

Let Let Let - Warplanes => Aircraft Modeling => Topic started by: Second Air Force on May 03, 2020, 10:37:42 PM

Title: Bf 110B
Post by: Second Air Force on May 03, 2020, 10:37:42 PM
I made up my mind to start on this kit after years and years of thinking about it. I picked up two Fujimi Bf 110 kits many years ago and built one for our LLL group build. The other kit, with a very comprehensive resin cockpit set, went onto the shelf. Always in my mind was to construct it as an early machine with Jumo engines. Digging in the spares box I found a 1/72 engine from an S-3 Viking that didn't survive the years. Looking at the engine halves, I found that the cowlings were perfect for the rounded radiator intakes used on the Jumo power units. The top of the cowling on the left has been reshaped (the Jumo cowl was not as humped up) and the new lower section spliced in. The lower part of the cowling forward of the radiator is from a Jumo powered Bf 109 kit.
 
The wingtips are rounded on the early machines and I found a pair of Otaki Corsair outer panels to provide these.
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: No.1 on May 04, 2020, 06:04:30 AM
 :-clap :-clap
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: modellius on May 04, 2020, 12:13:28 PM
Seems promising my friend !
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: Second Air Force on May 05, 2020, 12:11:51 PM
Thanks, it's a fun conversion (so far).

No photos, but I've fabricated the intake scoops and oil coolers for both engines and started on the second engine cowl. After that I must begin removing the radiator baths from both wings--a job I haven't quite engineered yet!
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: draken35 on May 09, 2020, 03:31:04 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: Second Air Force on May 10, 2020, 01:56:36 PM
I spent a few pleasant hours yesterday working on the wings and engines once again. As the photo shows, I simply cut out the radiator housing from each lower wing and filled the hole with sheet styrene and a bit of filler. At the start I was not sure how this would be done, but in the end it was really quite easy to get everything lined up just right and smooth. Once the radiator baths were eliminated I assembled each wing and installed their new Corsair wingtips. Then it was just a matter of installing the carburetor inlet scoops on top of each nacelle and adding the oil coolers under the wing. The oil coolers are modified from the coolers left over from my many Hobbycraft/Academy Bf 109B kits. Then I primered everything and set both wings aside so I can start on the easy part, the fuselage.
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: draken35 on May 10, 2020, 02:21:01 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: No.1 on May 10, 2020, 04:04:27 PM
Like the original :)
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: modellius on May 14, 2020, 01:02:02 PM
Splendid work !
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: Second Air Force on May 16, 2020, 10:47:14 PM
Thank you!

Here are a few photos of further progress, starting with the cockpit. The first owner of the kit also bought a True Details resin cockpit and it was an easy build. Just a little trimming was needed to get a good fit and then a coat of RLM 02. After some detail painting, the cockpit was fitted to the fuselage. Also, before closing the fuselage halves, I widened the rear portion of the fuselage by adding a tapered shim on the upper seam.

After the fuselage was ready I added the wings and tailplane and then sprayed the RLM 65 underneath.
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: No.1 on May 17, 2020, 05:53:20 AM
Cockpit look excellent!!
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: draken35 on May 17, 2020, 07:25:53 PM
Nice progress!
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: modellius on May 17, 2020, 09:17:30 PM
Excellent details, well done mate !
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: Second Air Force on May 20, 2020, 02:02:29 PM
Thanks!

Time for painting stage.
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: draken35 on May 21, 2020, 09:01:50 AM
:-ok
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: Second Air Force on May 22, 2020, 01:22:00 PM
One failing of the old Fujimi kit is lack of detail of the landing gear. As a replacement I will use the excellent Scale Aircraft Conversions metal gear set that is designed for the Dragon Bf 110 kit. It will fit perfectly with only the addition of a locating pin to attach it to the Fujimi wheel well ceiling. The wheels and tires I'm using are from the Eduard Bf 110C series.
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: No.1 on May 22, 2020, 02:35:56 PM
At least it will stand strong!!!
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: draken35 on May 25, 2020, 07:23:49 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: Second Air Force on May 27, 2020, 12:11:41 PM
Here's a first picture of the finished project, I'll take more when time and the weather allows.
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: No.1 on May 27, 2020, 12:27:28 PM
Good! Rain in your area?
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: Second Air Force on May 27, 2020, 11:09:32 PM
Yes, rain each day this week! Friday will finally dry out, but my garden vegetables love the rain!
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: Second Air Force on June 05, 2020, 11:34:46 PM
Here are some photos of the finished Jumo-Bf 110B. I forgot to mention earlier in the build that the propeller spinners are from the Airfix Bf 109E with some modification and the propellers are thinned down Fujimi parts from the kit. Decals came from the spares also.

This airplane flew during the Polish invasion with 2 ZG1.
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: No.1 on June 06, 2020, 05:04:38 AM
So rare and excellent subject!!
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: Second Air Force on June 06, 2020, 03:40:31 PM
Thanks! This is one of those projects that I have wanted to complete for a long time. I hadn't thought the Jumo version had seen combat until I dug into the research recently. That revelation and the photo of this airplane really pushed me to go forward!

I'm going to post the picture of the real thing even though I don't know the original source. I apologize to whoever put the photo on the web.....
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: draken35 on June 07, 2020, 04:16:55 PM
Well done my friend!
Title: Re: Bf 110B
Post by: modellius on June 14, 2020, 07:43:22 PM
Excellent work my friend !