Messerschmitt musings...

[Derek B]

Hello All,

 

Just needed some advice and good steers here please? (forgive me if I have already asked this previously - just shows that I am still interested). I like the Bf 108 Taifun and wouldn't mind looking at this as a future project (although I bet at least one other producer is doing exactly the same already and has nearly completed theirs!). Basically, what are the best overall refrences for this aircraft, and is there any recommended 1/32 Bf 109's out there that can be used as a basis for conversion/parts?

 

Like-wise, I have the Airfix 1/24 Bf 109E waiting for ideas - so if you have a list of 'wants' for this aircraft, let me know what's on your minds?

 

Many thanks

 

Derek

[CharlesMetz]

Derek,

 

The two books specifically on the '108 that I know of are:

 

Taifun, by Hitchcock (Monogram Close-Up series, No. 5; Monogram Aviation Publications [uSA], 1979; 32 pages) -- AIRCRAFT TYPES INCLUDED: Messerschmitt Bf 108 (Me 108) "Taifun" (XC-44, Nord 1000); COCKPIT DETAIL: Bf 108B-1 (p. 6-9, 11); MISCELLANEOUS DETAIL: Bf 108; MULTI-VIEW DRAWINGS: Bf 108A (p. 21), Bf 108B-1 (p. 22, 23), Bf 108B-2 (p. 21), Bf 108C-1 (p. 21), Bf 108D-1 (p. 21) ; GENERIC CAMOUFLAGE PATTERNS: Bf 108B-1 (p. 22, 23); GENERIC MARKING PATTERNS: Bf 108B-1 (p. 22, 23); SPECIFIC MARKING PROFILES: Bf 108B-1, Bf 108B-2, XC-44, Nord 1000 (p. 18, 19)

 

and the especially wonderful:

 

Messerschmitt (BFW) Bf 108 B-1, by Przymusiala and Karnas (Militaria in Detail series, No. 10; Militaria [Poland], 2001; in Polish and English; 50 pages) -- AIRCRAFT TYPES INCLUDED: Bf 108A, Bf 108B; COCKPIT DETAIL: Bf 108B-1 (p. 11-17); WHEELWELL DETAIL: Bf 108B-1 (p. 30); MISCELLANEOUS DETAIL: Bf 108A engine [Hirth Hm 8U] (p. 47); Bf 108B canopy (p. 9, 18, 37), cowl (p. 8, 9, 26), engine [Argus As 10C-3] (p. 10, 20-24, 47, 48), engine mount (p. 49), exhaust (p. 25), fuselace structure (p. 48), anding gear (p. 27-29), oil coolers (p. 25, 32), propeller (p. 10, 31), tail (p. 35, 36), tail structure (p. 49), wing (p. 33, 34, 38), wing slats (p. 38), wing structure (p. 50); CUTAWAY DRAWINGS: Bf 108B (p. 47); MULTI-VIEW DRAWINGS: Bf 108A (p. 39, 40), Bf 108B (p. 39, 41-47), Bf 108C-1 [side view only] (p. 39), Bf 108D-1 [side view only] (p. 41), Me 108 project [side view only] (p. 41)

 

However, others that provide useful Bf 108 details include:

 

Deutsche Flugzeugcockpits und Instrumentenbretter - Teil 3; Dreißiger Jahre: Heinkel - Siebel, by Cohausz (Cockpit Profile series, No. 3; Flugzeug Publikations [Germany], 1998; in German and English; 51 pages) -- Bf 108 [and Nord 1002] cockpit detail (p. 37-39)

 

Luftfahrt Bilder, Texte Dokumente: Handbuch 6 (Luftfahrt Handbuch series, No. 6; Mittler [Germany], 1978; in German; 482 pages) -- Bf 108B cockpit detail (p. 2573, 2574, 2586, 2598, 2599, 2603, 2604), Fi 156C (p. 2412, 2416, 2417, 2425, 2428, 2429), wheelwell detail (p. 2602), Typhoon (p. 2668), cowl (p. 2603), doors (p. 2573, 2605), engine [Argus AS 10C] (p. 2582), engine mount (p. 2583), fuselage structure (p. 2572), landing gear (p. 2575, 2576), tail (p. 2577), wing structure (p. 2580); Bf 108C [radial-engined version of '108] (p. 2571)

 

and:

 

Luftwaffen Warplane [sic] 1928-45, by Nohara (Illustrated Warplane History series, No. 7; Green Arrow [Japan], 2001; in Japanese; 316 pages) -- Bf 108B structure (p. 253)

 

 

A 1/32-scale Bf 108 kit would be an excellent addition to our hobby, in my opinion: it's a beautiful airplane; it was historically significant; and in particular it wore many different colors and markings, including RLM 70/71/65, 78/79, 78/79/80, winter white distemper, and a broad variety of civilian schemes. This one is my favorite, however:

 

 

 

Charles Metz

[Derek B]

Excellent references Charlie - Thank you.

 

I agree that a Taifun would be wonderful in 1/32 scale, and it really is such a pretty little thing. Looking at the published span and wing area of the Bf 108 and Bf 109, and comparing the two, both seem very close to each other, so it should be possible to use the Bf 109 wing (suitably modified of course) as a basis for such a kit. Other Bf 109 parts may also be of use (finding any drawings, let alone accurate ones isn't easy at all).

 

Thanks

 

Derek

[johng]

Derek, the 108 was a significant aircraft for Messerschmitt and was perhaps the design basis for the 109 but the two had no common airframe parts that I'm aware of. Converting a 109 into a 108 wouldn't seem to be a practical idea since nearly every part would have to be remade.

[Derek B]

Derek, the 108 was a significant aircraft for Messerschmitt and was perhaps the design basis for the 109 but the two had no common airframe parts that I'm aware of. Converting a 109 into a 108 wouldn't seem to be a practical idea since nearly every part would have to be remade.

 

I tend to agree John. I just had a forlorn hope that the wing would be close enough for me to modify and adapt, and maybe a few modified tail, undercarriage or cockpit parts as well?

 

Cheers

 

Derek

[Roy Noras]

I'd really like to see a Taifun in 1/32 .

 

It was on my wishlist when Silver Wings did their poll.

 

(-: Roy

Edited May 23, 2011 by Roy Noras

[Iain]

Will have a trawl through my refs - but I do occasionally bump into this one on my flying travels (Nord 1002 - same airframe - different engine).

 

 

It's based at White Waltham where my friend keeps his aeroplanes - if I see it at a suitable moment I'll try grab some walk-around pix. No promises mind...

 

Note this a/c has different engine again to Nords' original Renault engine - a Lycoming!

 

Iain

Edited May 23, 2011 by 32SIG

[KOTR]

Hm, a Taifun would be nice. I considered doing a japanese civil variant for a while now (there was on issue of Eduards '48 kit with those markings).

 

I'll have to dig through my magazines, a now no longer produced german publication had a reference article about the 108, including a drawing with cross sections, IIRC.

 

Anyone remember when Eduard released their 1/48 kit?

[LSP_Ron]

I am a huge fan of this airplane. One in our scale would certainly be a big hit.

 

Ron

[dodgem37]

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-32-1-48-MDPM-04-Messerschmitt-Bf-108-B-Taifun-/350389329537?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5194d4de81

 

Sincerely,

Mark

[LSP_Ron]

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-32-1-48-MDPM-04-Messerschmitt-Bf-108-B-Taifun-/350389329537?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5194d4de81

 

Sincerely,

Mark

 

I believe that is a 1/48 scale kit Mark

 

thanks

 

 

Ron

[LSP_Mike]

Love to see one. Me-108 thru me-109K....

[airsuba]

You can not build Taifun from Emil, they are different.

In the same time they are very similar technologically and by basic design.

 

Some Taifuns from VVKJ (Vojno Vazduhoplovstvo Kraljevine Jugoslavije) or Royal Yugoslav Air Force.

These are never finished profiles I made few years ago...

We had also a green-ones, like VVKJ Emil.

 

[Derek B]

I'd really like to see a Taifun in 1/32 .

 

It was on my wishlist when Silver Wings did their poll.

 

(-: Roy

 

Same here Roy

 

Derek

[Derek B]

Will have a trawl through my refs - but I do occasionally bump into this one on my flying travels (Nord 1002 - same airframe - different engine).

 

It's based at White Waltham where my friend keeps his aeroplanes - if I see it at a suitable moment I'll try grab some walk-around pix. No promises mind...

 

Note this a/c has different engine again to Nords' original Renault engine - a Lycoming!

 

Iain

 

 

That would be fantastic Iain if you could arrange that? The French Nord 1000 series is something that I wish to consider, at it will affect the final breakdown of the kit (I hope to cover as many variants of the Bf 108 as possible), so the more information I can get on the French variants, the better.

 

Regards and thanks

 

Derek