LetLetLet ~ Warplanes
Let Let Let - Warplanes => Aircraft Modeling => Topic started by: Second Air Force on May 28, 2012, 01:26:50 AM
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I've decided to start a new thread on the early Messerschmitt Bf-109 family. These early versions are quite interesting and have a combat record that isn't spoken of much. Both Hobbycraft (Academy nowadays) and Classic Airframes have produced Jumo-powered machines in 1/48 scale.
The Classic Airframes kits are very nice and quite accurate.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0005.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0006.jpg)
Both an early kit with extended leading edge slats and a later version with the "normal" slats have been produced on a short-run basis as was the norm for Classic Airframes. They are also quite EXPENSIVE nowadays, being more of a collecible than a model kit. They are also quite superb and accurate, especially the resin cowlings and interior parts. In my C kit I also found a set of the early long slats as an optional choice. I've only test-fit this and it is somewhat typical of a short run kit, needing a few tweaks here and there to get a perfect fit.
The Hobbycraft/Academy kit is much more plentiful and fairly inexpensive.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0093.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0115.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0118.jpg)
The Hobbycraft kit suffers from some inaccuracies in the cowling and firewall forward area that should be corrected for an accurate machine. Lynn Ritger performed a nice upgrade of the existing kit parts by filling and scribing panel lines and gun troughs. On this project I'm thinking of doing some kitbashing to achieve the desired accuracy.
More updates in a few days......
Scott
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Just one question- did anybody make prototype of Bf 109V1?
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This will be great topic!! :-clap
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Just one question- did anybody make prototype of Bf 109V1?
No.1,
Sorry I didn't post this earlier, but YES there are options for the Bf-109V1! MPM made a 1/72 full kit as stock #72029 and Replicast made a resin complete kit in 1/48, stock #48001.
I feel strongly that I'll end up building a V1 somewhere down the road, whether I find a kit or scratchbuild the Kestrel nose I don't yet know.
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All right mate :-ok
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Here's a small update on the early Messerschmitt project.
First, the accurate resin bits from the Classic Airframes kit that I'll be incorporating into a Hobbycraft/Academy (I'll refer to it as the H/A kit from now on) Bf-109B.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0171.jpg)
Now a couple of photos of the two cowlings, both mounted to Hobbycraft fuselages. Notice that the kit cowl is far too short, thus putting the guns and gun troughs too far forward. Also the cowl must be shimmed in the back to match the fuselage opening. Additionally the exhaust outlets are far too short on the H/A kit. These flaws can be fixed with filler and rescribing, but this is a lot harder than using the CA cowl. To fit the Classic Airframes resin cowl I simply cut off the plastic of the H/A fuselage and carefully fitted the CA cowl. Note that this conversion will be a B model and the Hobbycraft radiator bath is fairly accurate. When I convert one to a C/D I'll use the deeper CA radiator bath also, scrapping the entire fuselage forward of the wing on the H/A kit.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0164.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0165.jpg)
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Nice fit mate, very nice :-clap
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I assembled the cockpit sides and did some modification to them also, then painted RLM 02.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0178.jpg)
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:-clap
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This Hobbycraft/Academy kit has a simplified radiator bath and wing interface. I preferred to open the radiator exhaust flap in the same way that the Classic Airframes kit is designed. With that in mind, I cut out the flap section of the fuselage halves. Next was to fabricate the exhaust ducting from styrene. Finally, the leading edge of the wing/fuselage section had to be filed and sanded to give a smooth radius where the air flows past. After this it was a simple matter to glue the duct to the wing center section and fit it to the fuselage opening. The first photo shows the H/A wing at top and the CA wing in darker grey.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0209.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0210-1.jpg)
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And finally it fit perfect :-ok
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:-ok
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The fuselage halves are now glued together. Next was to make the small baggage compartment hatch on the angled bulkhead. Pretty simple, but often overlooked. Additionally it covers up a portion of the seam in that bulkhead!
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0218.jpg)
I should mention, since I'm working on this area. that one of the problems with the Hobbycraft/Academy kit is that the cockpit opening (from front-to-back) is quite a bit shorter than any other 1/48 Bf-109 I've run across. I'll show this in a little better detail later.
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Thats good mate :-ok
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I mentioned the "greenhouse" area being a bit short on the Hobbycraft/Academy kit. Here are two photos of the H/A canopy sitting on other manufacturers' fuselages.
First, the new Airfix Emil:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0221.jpg)
Next, the Tamiya Emil:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0225.jpg)
The Classic Airframes kit also has a longer opening. However, for a shelf model, the H/A greenhouse won't look too bad, especially if the canopy is opened. This highlights another drawback to the H/A kit in that it only comes with the one canopy, all in one piece. Vacuform or spares box, I reckon.
Back to the actual build, I had to do something about the lack of detail in the radiator inlet. First I cut some plastic screen material I have on hand to simulate the radiator. Next were two diagonal braces from stretched sprue and the characteristic drain tube that runs down the middle of the inlet.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0230.jpg)
Next was to lengthen the leading edge slats. The airplane I'm building was a very early Bf-109B with the long slats. Rather than model them open I decided to simply fill the inboard line of the original slats and scribe new extended sections.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0219.jpg)
Next up was to begin assembling the major sections so that I can fill/sand/prime the airframe. I must say that this H/A kit has a pretty nice fit in most areas, the wing joint being quite nice on my sample.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0233.jpg)
All in all it's been fairly relaxing so far. Once the primer is satisfactory on the airframe I'll fit the new C/A cowling and match up the C/A fixed-pitch propeller.
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Surgery again...
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Nice job Scott! :-clap :-ok
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Small progress, first on the plexiglas. I contemplated vacuforming a new canopy set but finally decided to use kit parts. This is really a "practice" build of the H/A kit after all. So, I used the razor saw to carefully trim the front and rear canopy pieces from the hinged section, then used .020 styrene to restore the front and rear frames that were lost during the sawing.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0234.jpg)
Next the canopy parts were masked and installed. With just a little more preparation this will be ready for paint.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0235.jpg)
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:-ok
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Good fit :)
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Before painting starts, here's a shot of a stock H/A fuselage next to the modified version. The radiator bath exhaust flap is simply a piece of .010 styrene sheet bent to fit.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0236.jpg)
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I guess nit will get some red filler?
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Red filler goes everywhere! :-jump Honestly, the worst fit on the H/A kit is where the radiator bath intake fairing fits up against the fuselage. There's a bit of a gap on both sides that requires careful filling. On the next one of these I'll probably add a little styrene shim to the fairing so the gap is removed before gluing it together.
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This past weekend has been very busy with not much time for modeling, but here's a small update on the first Jumo '109.
Small parts first, then a shot of the initial paint covering.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0269.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0267-1.jpg)
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Frame is perfectly painted :) But why silver?
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Good job! ;)
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A start on the second H/A kit, this one to become a C model. I'll use the entire CA resin nose on this one so that the deeper radiator bath can be added. First step was to cut off the appropriate parts of the fuselage, then fit the resin firewall forward. One nice thing is that the CA and H/A fuselages mate up nearly perfectly in dimension.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0271.jpg)
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I know you can make it :-ok
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Thanks, mate. Oh, by the way, you asked about the silver on the first machine--you can (accidentally :-red) see it peeking out at the top of the photo, perhaps this will answer the question.
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Here's the first of my early Bf-109s, a combination of Classic Airframes cowl, propeller, and cockpit parts with the Hobbycraft/Academy kit.
This model represents one of the very early '109s shipped to Spain for combat testing and development. Depending on the reference source, this airplane was either a pre-production Bf-109B-0 or one of the first B-1s. The airplane was often flown by Herbert Ihlefeld and lastly by Franz Janisch in July of 1938. These first machines appear to have been prepared in an aluminum finish (some sources suspect a clearcoat over bare metal, but it seems possible that aluminum lacquer was applied instead) and saw combat almost immediately after arrival and training.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0296.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0294-1.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0297.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0300.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0296.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0303.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0295.jpg)
There are others in the pipeline and I'll update as they progress. ;)
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Nice result mate, very nice :-ok
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Thank you! It was a fun build and gave me experience in this conversion that'll be handy later.
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Excellent,i like it!! :-clap
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On to the second conversion, this time a Bf-109D.
The C and D used a larger radiator so the "chin" scoop and radiator bath are somewhat larger than the B series. The Classic Airframes kit I have is the C/D and so I'm applying the entire firewall forward from the CA model to an Academy B. The first step is the same as the first conversion, cutting off the cowling section. Then the upper cowl from the CA kit is fitted. Once the principal fitting is satisfactory the cockpit assembly is completed and the fuselage halves glued together. Then the wing goes on to help with aligning the new nose. The next step is to securely tack-glue and tape the new upper cowl to the assembled fuselage. Then the H/A radiator bath is removed.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0308.jpg)
After trimming off all the unneeded styrene the next step is to fit the CA lower cowling with radiator bath to the fuselage, matching it carefully with the new upper cowl. Once I'm satisfied with this fit, the lower segment is glued in place and some filler used to fair it to the wing root area.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0309.jpg)
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Hhhhmmmm.... if you plan to do Spanish version again I think I have interesting sample for you ;)
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I will be doing at least one more Spanish machine, probably more if your sample isn't the same airplane! ;)
I forgot to mention on the earlier post that I've opened up the three vents in the forward upper cowling on this one. The first model was a very early machine and these vents did not yet exist. After opening the vents I fabricated a false engine block that will be visible through the openings.
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And how about this one?
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Great eye, No.1!
I've given a lot of thought to this splinter. I have wondered if the colors were the same as the bombers sent to Spain--RLM 61, 62, and 63 on wings and stabilizers with 63 on the fuselage. Many possible choices here.
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I think about this three colors too but instead of green can be easy RLM 02, in this way we should consider Ian Huntley research where he state that used colors on top are lighter grey.
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I think about this three colors too but instead of green can be easy RLM 02, in this way we should consider Ian Huntley research where he state that used colors on top are lighter grey.
Lighter grey as you state should be RLM 63. We can think this camo was locally applied amd may also be made of Spanish colors... which were not the same than German ones. That was the case for many He 51 after the end of the civil war. Is the date of this photograph known ?
Jicehem :-wave :-wave :-wave
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I accept all of your points mate. Date of image is not known but it is known that Spain get some specific colors for their airplanes, in first time that was three color (Ocher, Green and Brown) and later in service remained only two of them. One page with images of this colors:
http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/2008/06/02/museo-del-air-at-cuatro-vientos/
In this way is possible that lighter new color is sand and dark one is green and all of this over pale grey. Just wait some moment to find article made by Ian Huntley, he give excellent remarks about this subjects.
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I also agree, JC.
In fact, regarding when this photo was taken, I am of the opinion (for what it's worth, bear in mind) that this picture may have been taken after the airplane was handed over to the Spanish forces. My reasoning for this is the slight discoloration just in front of the numeral 6 where the top hat insignia would normally be (if in Legion Condor service). That is a tenuous supposition, but something I offer as a possibility until or unless we ever find solid documentation of a date.
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All right, check out download section :))
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Huntley's article identifies the pale grey (Perleweiss) used in between-war Germany, and that alone is a great find.
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This pale grey is used as overall color too :))
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Huntley's article identifies the pale grey (Perleweiss) used in between-war Germany, and that alone is a great find.
I don't think so, beacause Perleweiss was certainly RLM 67 and was not used to paint military planes... It's also possible this light grey could be L40/52 Hellgrau. The very light rendering of those paints is due to surexposition of the photograph or a bad reproduction of the original (to high a contrast).
Jicéhem :-wave :-wave :-wave
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Most likely you're right, Jicehem.
Could RLM 67 have been used on the V 1 and other preproduction '109s? This subject is sort of puzzling to me, a rather new 109 researcher, since there is so much conflicting information out there...... :-think :-paper
Thanks,
Scott
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L40/52 Hellgrau is pure civilian color and possible in use as overall finish until... 1935?
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L40/52 Hellgrau is pure civilian color and possible in use as overall finish until... 1935?
No, mate, sorry. L40/52 was also used as exterior paint on He 51, all He 70s and He 111s which included civilian and military planes. Even if the codes seemed to be civilian, they were really military ones. This color (and others which were not RLM colors) was used until the appearance of the first L.Dv in 1937.
Jicéhem :-wave :-wave :-wave
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So until 1937 :) All right, I know this paint, this is clear grey and interesting that it could look on some images very light and on some medium!!!
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Changing the subject a little to the color red......
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0324.jpg)
This one will be simple, standard Luftwaffe splinter scheme!
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The splinter was sprayed on today, next will be clear gloss.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0330.jpg)
Both this and the K on the GB thread are now at the same stage, so I took a photo of both together for fun:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0331.jpg)
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It look great to see side by side early and late machine! Very strange that after introducing heavier engine that tail surfaces remained the same.
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Good! :-clap
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Here's the finished Bf-109D in pre-war Luftwaffe splinter:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0341.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0342.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0344.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0352.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0354.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0347.jpg)
The decals came from the Classic Airframes kit sheet and represent a nearly new machine not long in service.
I've got a few more of these in my mind to build in the near future. ;)
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Lovely work mate :-clap :-ok
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Beautiful mate!! :-clap :-clap :-clap I like it much!! ;) :-clap
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No sense in showing the earlier stages of this since it's the same as the first two, but another early '109 is nearing the painting stage.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0580.jpg)
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Hope you have make final decision about painting :)
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Not exactly! Spanish markings for certain, but exact machine I am undecided. I don't really have the right decals to do the splinter-painted airplane yet.......
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Maybe you can try to cut them by your self, at least this is just fuselage numbers?
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That is true. However, there is a decal sheet with numerals and markings used by the Spanish Nationalists. Also if I looked through my kits there might be enough decals to do the 55 for this ship. Time for more box-opening and digging!
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Box digging :)) Sometimes very interesting sport :-ok
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Paint scheme on this one is finalized. The splinter painted ship 6 55 will come later, when I get more decal selection.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0594.jpg)
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Look great!! :-clap
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Lets see :-ok
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Hi mates,
Very nice and useful threat!! I have two Jumo Bf-109 that I have not finished yet. They are in building process, I hope re-take them soon, when I finish my D.520........
This will help me a lot
Cheers :)
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Great news on your Jumo machines, memitus! Post photos and build updates of them whenever time allows. :-cool
Scott
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Here's the finished Bf-109 B2 in the markings of the Spanish Gruppo "Morato", 5-G-5, after being handed over to the Nationalists after the Legion Condor disbanded. This is one of the often-photographed machines, having been the mount of two J88 Gruppe Kommandeure, Gotthard Handrick and then Walter Grabmann. Judging from the photos available, the airplane was overhauled and repainted after the Germans handed it over.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0631.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0612.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0610.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0614.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0618.jpg)
I must voice my opinion about the great quality of maintenance that the Nationalist mechanics appear to have given their airplanes. In all the photos I've studied it seems the Spanish really kept their machines in fine condition, at least from the external appearance.
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Great finish mate :)
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Very nice!
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Beautiful work mate,as always!! :-clap :-clpap
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I've just found a second photo of the Spanish Civil War machine with the splinter wing camouflage, 6-55! :-tri This photo has differences from the one on page three of this thread so more research is ongoing. I've also got a kit and enough decals to attack this project. :-jump
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Love clasic Airframes,have almost all the models...good choice of subject,very nice detailed building...have a question only.
Wont you do some washing? Some oil stains,or wethering panels?
Since you have done such a nice construction effort,the truth is that the only thing that caches the eye in the end is the coat of paint and wethering.
Unless you desire your models clean,so...up to everyone's appetite. :-roll
Well done once again.
:-salut
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Thanks for the insight and question on weathering! On this particular theme of Jumo Bf 109s, I've found a lot of really clean examples and only a few of the trainers look really "used". I'm probably somewhat lazy on weathering at any rate as I'm doing these just for the fun of the build.
On this last subject, the Spanish seem to have repainted the airplanes after taking them over from Legion Condor, hence the clean finish. The next one will also show fairly clean appearance.
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I've spent a little more time preparing the "nose job" on this one. The trimming has been finished and the C.A. cowling fitted:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_1909_zpsff20dfe6.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_1909_zpsff20dfe6.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_1911_zpsa1df6a8e.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_1911_zpsa1df6a8e.jpg.html)
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I almost forget that you make sample copy of nose cowling ;)
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:-clap :-clap
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:-ok
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Tonight I relaxed and fitted the resin cockpit sides to this Spanish machine. Also the radiator outlet flap was removed and the ductwork was fabricated and attached to the lower wing.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_1925_zpsadc59c0e.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_1925_zpsadc59c0e.jpg.html)
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Must say that I am impatient to see it completed :))
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:-clap :-ok
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Must say that I am impatient to see it completed :))
Sorry, I've got so many other chores that my modeling time is short! I'll be able to concentrate on this build once I get the weeds removed from the vegetable garden......they grew nicely during our week away from home!
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Vegetables, food :)) :)) This is most important my friend :-ok
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Yes, potatoes are almost ready to be harvested, and we've also picked our first tomato. :-ok
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Congratulation mate :)) Hope you did not have problems with pest ;)
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No pests to speak of--no bugs on potato plants as we usually have. I do have to be careful that gophers don't dig under the potato hills and steal some, also our local deer like to nibble on tomato plants sometimes. This year they probably won't do so since other foliage is still nice and green.
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The nose-job is continuing now that the Hellcat and P-40 are completed:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_1982_zpse23fc736.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_1982_zpse23fc736.jpg.html)
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You are amazing with all of this projects :-ok
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:-ok
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Thanks, friends! Y'all are the inspiration for all these builds.....
I had a one-day holiday today (July 4) here in the U.S. and was able to do a bit of painting on ship #55. In the morning, while having coffee, primer was painted and flaws corrected:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_1983_zpsa2e90899.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_1983_zpsa2e90899.jpg.html)
We then spent the majority of the day doing other things, but the wing and tail surfaces received their splinter scheme just a little while ago:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_1985_zps53080be1.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_1985_zps53080be1.jpg.html)
These old Hobbycraft Bf 109s fit well enough that I can now paint the fuselage and then assemble the wing to it later. Just some touching up with putty and final painting will be all that is needed.
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Yeaaaahhh!!!! This is the moment I am waiting for!!!!
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Nice camo rendering!!!
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Thanks friends!
Final assembly of major parts is accomplished and final painting of the wing/fuselage joints done. Then I touched up the paint in those areas and have applied the gloss coats before decals. My decals are from various Academy, Hobbycraft, Aeromaster etc. sheets.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_1990_zps7579e663.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_1990_zps7579e663.jpg.html)
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Beauty coming up :)) :-clap
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Beautiful indeed!
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You're both too kind! :-flo
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I have just gone back in this thread and found that No.1 first posted a photo of ship #6-55 almost exactly a year ago. Here are some photos of my finished "splinter" machine:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_1996_zps5e057221.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_1996_zps5e057221.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2009_zps79c40f1c.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2009_zps79c40f1c.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2000_zps1b1c2d32.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2000_zps1b1c2d32.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2006_zpsf205996d.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2006_zpsf205996d.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_1999_zps8ac48ba8.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_1999_zps8ac48ba8.jpg.html)
And a comparison of the original photo (overlaid with No.1's wing profile) and the model at much the same position:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/splinter_zps10bfb322.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/splinter_zps10bfb322.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2007_zpsa9e3082c.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2007_zpsa9e3082c.jpg.html)
Now I think maybe another training machine or a night-fighter for my next Jumo!
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Great!!!!
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Ho ho ho, i like this!! :-clap :-clap
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This is excellent reference work and guide to the future builders ;)
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Great work and beautiful colors !!! :-obey :-razz :-salut :-clap
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Excellent work 'Second Air Force'. Please continue your J/88 theme builds.
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Just to inform little crew of this forum- Drumstick is excellent informed about this early Bf 109 and you better ask for advice before start your build ;) Welcome aboard mate :-ok
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Yes, welcome Drumstick!!!! I've fallen in love with the Jumo Bf 109 and it's good to hear you're so well informed.
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Okay, it's time to start a "pioneer" Jumo powered 1/48 109. This Ventura kit was first made available before any other and has always been on my list to own (and build).
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/VenturaBf109B001_zps22b7c420.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/VenturaBf109B001_zps22b7c420.jpg.html)
Inside the box is a short-run injection molded kit. Mine is marked "1990" on the inside of the lower wing. Now there are more modern kits of the Jumo machine available today, but I also want to build this early one!
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/VenturaBf109C001_zpsd83dec8f.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/VenturaBf109C001_zpsd83dec8f.jpg.html)
I removed the two fuselage halves from the large sprue trees and offered them together as a first test-fit and am quite happy with the initial impression:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/VenturaBf109C002_zps69899f57.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/VenturaBf109C002_zps69899f57.jpg.html)
There will be a lot of parts that I'll source from my parts box on this one as the smaller bits look rather rough. More later!
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Ancient build, this will be so interesting :-ok
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Here are some of the parts from the spares box that will be incorporated into this kit:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/VenturaJumo002_zps4012a30e.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/VenturaJumo002_zps4012a30e.jpg.html)
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I've started a little work on the cockpit of this one. The sidewall panels are courtesy of the spares box (Hobbycraft) and the cockpit floor and seat are from the Ventura kit. I'll continue to add styrene bits as needed to complete the interior:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/FlapsDone009_zps4d1df98e.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/FlapsDone009_zps4d1df98e.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/FlapsDone008_zpsf873e934.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/FlapsDone008_zpsf873e934.jpg.html)
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I feel this will be fast :)
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No, this will take some time! The kit is definitely of a short-run style with really large "molding stubs" and takes quite a bit of cleaning up before assembly. On the other hand, I've test-fitted most of the major parts and the fit is quite nice. It'll be enjoyable to build, just to say I've done so! This is also good practice for the Ventura Bf 109G-12 two seater in my collection.
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Interresting build, really! :-ok
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Thanks, friends!
I've decided to use some more of the original Ventura elements rather than spares-box parts. The horizontal stabilizers are actually quite nice and the main landing gear doors were easily trimmed to proper dimensions. You can see the extra thick sprue attachments, especially on the one gear door. It was simple to just saw off the stub and then use files and Dremel tool to sand the extra plastic off. I've found this kit was manufactured with a really easily worked plastic, easy to file and sand but yet not extremely brittle. I should also note that the trailing edges on the wings and tail are quite thin, even thinner than "normal" kits in many cases!
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ventura109parts001_zps897955c5.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ventura109parts001_zps897955c5.jpg.html)
After working out some other issues I offered the wing to the fuselage. This proved somewhat tricky in that the upper wing surfaces were too long to fit without an overhang at the tips. The best result was to glue the lower wing in place on the fuselage and let it cure. Then I test-fitted each upper wing part and trimmed off excess material at the wing root until good fit was achieved. This worked out just fine and the final result is like any average kit:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ventura109parts002_zpsf337fbdf.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ventura109parts002_zpsf337fbdf.jpg.html)
Now some extra filler in places and some sanding. Primer isn't too far away:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ventura109parts004_zpsec9fb6f2.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ventura109parts004_zpsec9fb6f2.jpg.html)
In the photos you can see the small addition of styrene sheet on the back of the cockpit where the "glove box" is located. This is really all the additional detailing I did to the fuselage exterior, the rest is pretty much kit parts.
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:-ok
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As well the molds are far from perfect, the result is great!
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Even though these molds were designed for low-pressure injection, the final product is still quite nice. When I first opened the kit box I wondered what I was getting into, but it has actually been a pleasure. Much easier than a vacuform, yet more skill demanded than a "normal" kit. The only glaring problems are the landing gear legs and wheels. They could be used with much cleanup and work, but I have plenty of wheels in the spares box.
I also must make a correction to an earlier post of mine. I have a G-12 in the collection and mentioned that it was also a Ventura kit. I pulled it off the shelf and realized it was made by Falcon, not Ventura. The kit is molded in much this fashion, though.
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Okay, I'm back from a short trip to visit family and this machine has been sprayed with first coat of primer. I have to say that I am thrilled with the quality of the engraving on this--especially nice for a short run kit. Whoever built the master and molds for this one did a great job!
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/VenturaPrimer003_zpscc7b6424.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/VenturaPrimer003_zpscc7b6424.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/VenturaPrimer002_zps1bddc6da.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/VenturaPrimer002_zps1bddc6da.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/VenturaPrimer001_zpsa7670806.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/VenturaPrimer001_zpsa7670806.jpg.html)
I did build up my own struts for the horizontal stabilizers from Evergreen stock and added an Airfix windscreen assembly, but everything else you see is straight from the Ventura box!
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Little update is always important ;)
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:-ok
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I've been short of time for modeling lately, but I did manage to do some more spraying on this machine:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ryanpainted002_zpsfe6c7209.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ryanpainted002_zpsfe6c7209.jpg.html)
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Excellent work on camouflage ;)
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Finishing this little project has taken a bit longer than I had planned...... Here is the finished airplane, again modeled after a training machine. The photos I have of this one shows it in very fresh paint (likely just out of overhaul) with the left gear and wing damaged from a ground-loop. The available info on the LEMB database shows this to be a BF109B assigned to Zerstorerschule 1.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Venturafinished002_zps2cefc24d.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Venturafinished002_zps2cefc24d.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Venturafinished004_zps6684d88a.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Venturafinished004_zps6684d88a.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Venturafinished006_zps0cb618f9.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Venturafinished006_zps0cb618f9.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Venturafinished010_zps8ae02beb.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Venturafinished010_zps8ae02beb.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Venturafinished007_zps05e21467.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Venturafinished007_zps05e21467.jpg.html)
This short-run Ventura kit was actually quite nice to build even though it takes some extra effort to clean up the molding stubs and such. I did, however, use a number of spare parts from my bins, including a full Airfix canopy set, SAC main gear legs and Hobbycraft/Academy propeller, cockpit sidewall panels, main wheels, tailwheel and oil cooler. All in all, this was a fairly fun build and this looks very nice next to the other Jumo 109s in my growing collection.
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Excellent!!!
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I couldn't resist a photo of all three Jumo pilot-trainers lined up. I so enjoy the training programs!
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/F-13Start001_zps14e5c49a.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/F-13Start001_zps14e5c49a.jpg.html)
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:-ok
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Nice collection, and very interesting as well :-salut :-ok
Ernie
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I like it !
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:-wave :-salut :-salut :-salut :-salut :-salut :-obey :-obey :-obey
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It's over a year since anything new has happened here, time now to start another early 109!
This one will be a late-model Jumo with deep radiator bath, so the entire Classic Airframes-style nose is being grafted onto the old Hobbycraft fuselage:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Swiss%20Dora%20001_zpscsq8qdir.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Swiss%20Dora%20001_zpscsq8qdir.jpg.html)
First test-fit:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Swiss%20Dora%20003_zpswova2qvb.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Swiss%20Dora%20003_zpswova2qvb.jpg.html)
Assembly going forward. Notice the two small white fairings on the engine cowl--these were a modification made by the Swiss to accomodate the cowl guns they used:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Swiss%20Dora%20004_zps4nmypmk0.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Swiss%20Dora%20004_zps4nmypmk0.jpg.html)
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Welcome back to subject :-ok :-clap
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Excellent !
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Thanks, friends!
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Primer day:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Wilma%20Blooms%205.2.15%20001_zps3yxegw1i.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Wilma%20Blooms%205.2.15%20001_zps3yxegw1i.jpg.html)
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And progress well :))
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Looks great! :-ok
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Fixing the flaws found by priming now....
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I've skipped some steps on this one, right to the finished product....
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Swiss%20Dora%20Complete%20001_zpspat4uvqx.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Swiss%20Dora%20Complete%20001_zpspat4uvqx.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Swiss%20Dora%20Complete%20002_zpsombneoxu.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Swiss%20Dora%20Complete%20002_zpsombneoxu.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Swiss%20Dora%20Complete%20005_zpstgioo5fx.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Swiss%20Dora%20Complete%20005_zpstgioo5fx.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Swiss%20Dora%20Complete%20008_zpsqzutjbrm.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Swiss%20Dora%20Complete%20008_zpsqzutjbrm.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Swiss%20Dora%20Complete%20004_zpsgb85llzk.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Swiss%20Dora%20Complete%20004_zpsgb85llzk.jpg.html)
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This one is great :-ok
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Thanks! More information later...
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:-ok
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Thanks, mate!
Time to finish the story of this build, I reckon. The decals and masking templates for this Swiss machine came from the excellent Kagero book Messerschmitt Bf 109 A-D Models by Mariusz Lukasik. Really it's mostly paint, the decals being the fuselage codes and servicing placards. Kagero includes masking templates and full measurements for masking in three scales as well as decals for five machines.
The airplane represented is a Bf 109 D-1, W.Nr.2302 as it looked in July of 1945. According to the caption in the book, this machine was not disposed of until 28 December of 1949!
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Best builds are those made by good reference material and this last build is absolute proof of that- congratulation again!!
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superb !