Dpgsbody55 Posted November 23, 2022 Share Posted November 23, 2022 This is my latest model, a Messerschmitt Bf-109E-3 from Hobby 2000. It represents a plane flown by the CO of 2/JG 2 based in Germany, Frankfurt-Rebstock, in early 1940. I've aslo added a small diorama made using a Trumpeter display base, augmented with part of an ICM 1/32 Luftwaffe ground crew set and an old Tamiya Pilot figure I found in my spares box. The model was completed with the aid of a Quinta Studio 3D decal set, plus a little bit of scratch addons. This is the first time I've used 3D decals, and I think the results are impressive. I've also built it with a pivot for the canopy, which is quite easy on 109's. Weathering has been applied, but only lightly. Since the plane is unlikely to have seen any recent action, I thought heavy weathering would not be appropriate. The W I P is here, if you'd like to read further. Engine close up. Cockpit. Underside. Top views. Pilot and mechanic figures. This was a frustrating build at times, but at other times a very enjoyable build. Problems arose thanks to inaccurate instructions in parts, but mostly troubles sourcing the gun cowling which was missing from my kit. That aside, I think this is the best kit available for an early 109 and worth the effort. Having sorted out those issues, I'd happily build another, though that wasn't the case earlier on in this build... Here it is on display now with another 109, this time Trumpeter G-4/R-6. Cheers, Michael TankBuster, Jim Barry, denders and 9 others 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzas Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 Great job, Michael! A nice, clean build. Especially nice are the cockpit and exposed engine. Dpgsbody55 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMaben Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 Lookin' good Mike ! Dpgsbody55 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Stambaugh Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 Good job Michael, can't have too many Bf109s. Dpgsbody55 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greif8 Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 Very nice work Mike! Not many builds showing an early war - prior to BoB - 109. Ernest Dpgsbody55 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 Very nice Michael! I read somewhere (I’m thinking Len Deighton) that the gloss finish gave an 18mph speed advantage to these 109’s, and you’ve captured it nicely. Cheers, Tom Dpgsbody55 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dpgsbody55 Posted November 26, 2022 Author Share Posted November 26, 2022 On 11/24/2022 at 1:39 PM, Gazzas said: Great job, Michael! A nice, clean build. Especially nice are the cockpit and exposed engine. Thanks Gaz. Being an early 1940 and Germany based aircraft, I thought it best not to add much wear and tear. I believe early 1940 was the period when fighter's camo didn't go completely down the sides of the plane and the under side colour was extended so far up the fuselage sides. I've read that Goering wanted them painted this way as he thought it looked nicer and less visible from below. Probably to match his new nice new sky blue uniform, too . The story may be apochryphal, but fit's his vain character. Either way, pilots soon found otherwise and hated it, hence many of the unit attempts to obscure it with mottling and other patterns that were common on Emils. On 11/24/2022 at 6:06 PM, MikeMaben said: Lookin' good Mike ! Thanks Mike. I'm pleased with the way it turned out, though I'm certain that others around here could have done it better. I've been building models for almost 60 years, and I think I'm starting to improve a bit at last. On 11/25/2022 at 1:02 AM, John Stambaugh said: Good job Michael, can't have too many Bf109s. Yeah, I agree, though I presently have only two - the planes in the last pic. I do have the Z-M 109 in the stash which I'm looking forward to building. The silly thing with this build is that I was cursing it for it's poor quality packaging control (missing parts, poor manufacturer support, and the issues that many have found with the vinyl wheel well walls, and "I'll never build another H2K kit", but now I'd like to have another bash at one of these. I've been looking about for an E-7, and now I can't find one in stock in any of my usual places. On 11/25/2022 at 6:36 PM, MARU5137 said: Outstanding model Michael. It looks AWESOME. I love the Engine and cockpit. Brilliant job. Thank you. If you get a kit with all it's parts and correct wheel wells (one left, one right), it's the best early 109 in 1/32 scale and not hard to build. I do wish the ignition wires on the engine had been a separate part rather than cast, but the Quinta Studia 3D decals lifted both engine and cockpit considerably. On 11/25/2022 at 11:11 PM, Uncarina said: Very nice Michael! I read somewhere (I’m thinking Len Deighton) that the gloss finish gave an 18mph speed advantage to these 109’s, and you’ve captured it nicely. Cheers, Tom Late war RAF fighters were also often polished and pilot's reported another 10mph in speed and that was a cleaner airframe. Not sure about 18mph, but the E series 109's were lumpy things and the clean up of the airframe on the F models added about that much to the official speed with only a little extra power from a revised DB-601. It's similar to the speed difference of the P-40 to the P-39 which was a very slick airframe of similar weight and power. Uncarina, MikeMaben and Gazzas 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TankBuster Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 Hi, wow that turned out great, well done. Cheers. Dpgsbody55 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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