Gigant

I've recently completed a model of a Bf110E (G9+L(Ludwig) N(ordpol) as flown by Heinz Schnaufer in his early days with NJG1:
 



 
But I also saw some artwork by Ron Cole of the Bf110 plus a piece of the actual aircraft which was salvaged in 2006:
 

 
The fragment is 4.5 inches by 3.0 inches and fortunately had become detached from the glass in its long journey from the US to England, fortunately because I was able to see the RLM02 finish on the reverse side!
 

 

 
I'd like to find some way of being able to see both sides, as a researcher as well as a modeller this type of thing fascinates me.  
 
 

Some more work. A quick stop whilst my 2 year old boy demonstrated unusual attitude recovery. He even makes engine noises which is pretty cute.
 

 
I plan to incorporate a couple of the changes to the kit as Peter suggested. Whilst trying to keep it as out of the box as possible, there are a few key things which I can't let slide for the purpose of putting something different into our local ‘single media' category. Enhanced category it is.
 
The kit featured long axles that poked a couple of mm out of the uncovered wheel hubs for ease of fitting I guess. This would render the model a bit unrealistic when finished, so I cut them off and installed wheel covers over the hubs as per my reference pic.
 

 
As part of the process of making up a new one, I beefed up the nose gear leg by drilling a hole right through the length of it, then cut the oleo out, fitted a new brass oleo over some thinner brass tube and the inserted it into the holes. I also fitted a brass rod axle. The nose gear leg of the real thing features a spray deflector behind the wheel which is another omission from the kit. I fabricated a new one from brass rod and will fit the thin deflector plate soon. Also visible is an exhaust pipe that I have made from plastic tube. These small details should really make the kit look great when finished.
 

 
It's looking pretty good for a 61 year old kit.
 

Sorry for the lack of updates, just finished this lovely model. I added the rigging, an anti collision beacon and the long antenna under the fuselage since the last update. Better studio photos soon!
 

 

Finally got Tamiya’s gorgeous Spit Mk.XVI finished today. It’s in the Rongotea scheme from the kit, 485 kiwi squadron but using some of the Lifelike decal sheet to correct some inaccuracies in the kit decals. Barracuda cockpit sidewalk, gun sight and door, Yahu instrument panel, otherwise OOB. Painted in MRP mostly. 
 
 

As a builder, I would say for the following reasons:
The subject is not glamorized by any famous fighter pilots making any high-visibility kills. As a dedicated interceptor, the F4D was unsuited to the multi-mission capabilities soon in demand, so it had a short career in Navy and Marine Corps service. The Fisher kit's list price is  $259.85.  The Fisher kit is resin, in addition to being brittle, not a fun material to work with if you have to do any serious cutting, grinding, etc. If I were to try this lesser-known subject, I would start with the old Lindberg 1/48th kit, which lists for $14.99, although I am sure it wouldn't be an eye-grabbing show-piece like yours!

Thanks for all of the nice comments guys.
 
Bill, a rare bird indeed. Just don't  see many of these built. Why is that ? 
 
Bill W. Luck won't  help at the contest. Skill and dedication  rule.
 
Mongoose, stars were individual decals. Took 5 minutes  to put them on. Didn't  have too be too concerned  about placement  because no 2 planes were the same.
 
Gigant, photography  wasn't  so special, natural light  is always the  best.
 
Dan

If you want to "play it safe" just buy a "pre-loaded shopping card" that you can get at any major supermarket, etc., and give yourself a "limited allowance".

Now remember, PayPal has a debit card option...

Here is a small distraction during my Me 110 build. I have been wanting to do this scheme for a long time but could not find any decals for it . The Sillouette cutter made it possible. I initially thought the colors were Rlm 78,Rlm79 but thanks to members on this forum I obtained hopefully the correct interpretation.  I also wanted to post another model but I decided to use the wife's phone with a better camera. To my horror I could now see all the dust not readily visible to the naked eye !!! Maybe tomorrow.
 
The most obvious correction and changes were made to the Hasegawa kit. The spinner was re-profiled on a Dremmel, gun troughs moved for the G-2 and cartridge chutes filled. The step in the slat recess  was filled with plastic card and lead foil belts added. Tail wheel fairing was cut out and shaped and a new tail wheel scratch build. The main wheel angle was corrected for a G-2 and Airies wheels used.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Enjoy
 
Nick
 
 
 

If you want to "play it safe" just buy a "pre-loaded shopping card" that you can get at any major supermarket, etc., and give yourself a "limited allowance".

I really have NO CHOICE but to cool it on shopping for larger stuff anyway, unless I find a deal just way WAY too good to pass up since I'll have to pay to ship anything I buy that's big home. That will have a tenancy to offset that killer deal sometimes.

Now remember, PayPal has a debit card option...

PLEASE let them not accept debit cards in the vendors room! For my poor wallets sake!

I've heard that putting rubber items in the fridge or freezer helps stiffen them up, and make them more amenable to sanding. Haven't tried it myself, however, and I'm not sure how practical this would be for your situation.
 
Kev

Here is my Fisher Skyray. Done just in time for Phoenix.
 

 

 

 

 
Dan
 
 

Excellent work with the checkering!

hello, my last new built :
 
 












 
 
voila voila !

Great finished model. I currently building this model (my first WNW kit) in the Britmodeller Great War GB.
 
I am afraid, it wasn't steel, it was Aluminium! I think you got some numbers mixed up
 
The Junkers J.1 and J.2 where built with steel and mainly spot-welded, but ended up too heavy with poor climbing performance but a great top speed of 170km/h.
 
Junkers then changed to using Aluminium on the J.3, but as this development wasn't funded by the military, the aircraft was never finished.
He then used the Aluminium building method he developed when working on the J.3 in producing the J.4 (Army type J.I), which was the first (nearly) all metal constructed aircraft built in quantity.
 
From then on all his upcoming aircraft used Aluminium as the construction material including the J.9 (Army type D.I). Looks to me you confused the Junkers J.1 with the Junkers D.I.
 
There is an excellent new publication on Junkers' early aircraft development by Aeronaut Books in two volums and they are an interesting read.
Cheers, Peter

Not surprising, since both companies are pushing their LS kits, while Hasegawa almost seems like it has exited the category. When was the last REALLY new Hase kit in our scale? Everything seems like reissues and mostly of Japanese aircraft. For you IJA and IJN fans, it's good. But there aren't many Japanese fighters I'm that interested in, while the new 2-engine bomber from ZM looks awesome to me because it's so different.

I'm with the Mikester; I have to open my garage to ventilate when painting and the heat and threatening rain have the humidity a bit high. That and the freaking mosquitoes put me off modeling during the day.
 
Also a bit too sad to model today after the Dragon DS plastic discussion at armorama.com, where many of us are discovering the disintegration of that crap is Italeri rubber tires all over again. The wheel well inserts to my Dragon Bf 109-E4B have become brittle and broke into pieces. Can't even think about all the track I have to eventually replace. I bet all the bobbleheads they make are perfect, though. Priorities and all.

Thanks for sharing such a nicely finished build with us!

my last kit, enjoy :
 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

This arrived today, and is a kit that I've wanted for a very long time, but never seemed to get around to purchasing. Through a deal with a fellow LSP guy (thanks a ton, Mike), I've now finally got one. The kit also included some nice Eduard stuff, so I'm already ahead of the curve there.
 

This is looking good - sounds like they are gonna have some French pilot figures available too:
 

Wrong scale.   I left out the minor detail that I want it in 1/32.