Werdna

Fair question I acquired it as part of a bundle, and it might sound daft, but it really was the bad reviews that got me interested. Not sure if the kit has any history prior to the Unimodel boxing - according to Scalemates, it is an original UM item. But either way, the reviews are mostly right. The shape is what it is, but the canopy is frosted, like 'privacy' glass (conversely, the front screen is perfectly clear); the engine (which I had to leave out in the end) does not align properly with the front of the cowling; the prop is the wrong shape, I think; the horizontal stabiliser tabs are the wrong size to fit into the tailplane (so need cutting/sanding to fit); the instructions are - in some cases, suggesting the wrong parts to be fitted or are simply incorrect; the wing root/fuselage joins (which I've carefully avoided showing in the pics) are way off alignment and some of the panel lines/surface detail looks like it has been simply forgotten. A better modeller than me could probably have addressed all of the above if they were prepared to spend the time on it - which I wasn't. But, on the upside, it kept me busy for a few days and I enjoyed the painting and it does look 'a bit' like a 109..

This is the 'notorious' Unimodel kit - and I can understand why it gets bad reviews - I'm happy to enlarge on that if anyone is interested, but for now I'll stick more generally to the RFI. It does go together, but not particularly well in some areas. The decals provide for 'Red 11' WNr 460425 - except that 460425 seems actually to have been 'yellow 11', not red. Some of the balkenkreuze markings supplied are also incorrect for that WNr as well. So after a visit to the spares box (for decals and wheels - the kit wheels were horrible), we have (hopefully) a slightly more accurate representation of 'yellow 11' of III/JG76, discovered in a 'stripped-down' condition by the advancing allies at Athis/Bisseuil in September 1944. Anyway, it's done, so I can cross it off the list and we can move on..

Interesting link. My only question would be 'what kind of nutter thinks an open cockpit is a good idea in a Russian winter'

Wow - that's one hell of a job, well done. The weathering is really impressive

Another gloss coat after the decals potentially for any weathering/panel line washes...followed by matt coat...

Interesting. Hataka box sets seem to be readily available in the UK, even if the individual bottles aren't. What is the general consensus on the comparison between Akan and Hataka colours - in particular AMT-11 and AMT-12..??

Have to say, I've not come across this issue before. I use the Halfords plastic primer (grey) routinely as a base coat and nothing's melted yet..

Talking of decals, just a thought on the triple chevrons. The fact that the decal scheme shows them in white - when the photo shows them in black - does tend to call into question the veracity of the decal scheme. Unless there are other examples of white chevrons, which may be worth checking..?

Most likely already factory painted in 74/5/6, is my guess. Also, the decal sheet above appears to show a 74/5/6 scheme as well..

Hi Mr F - Hopefully the experts will be along shortly. However, in the meantime, I think the possibility of the mid-war 74/75/76 colours should also be considered. Mid 1941 is right about the time where the switchover from the earlier 71/02/65 patterns happened.

Thanks Pete No, the canopy is straight off the sprue, masked and stuck on. It is a nice clear moulding though. I've got a Unimodel 109G-14 on the bench now, and the clear parts on that look like the kind of frosted glass you might get on bathroom windows

Thanks Roman - glad to hear the colours seem reasonable Re the victory stars - these are from the AML set and they came in two pieces, a white base set, followed by a second set with red overlay. The decals were so fragile that I couldn't quite position the red overlay accurately enough before they began to disintegrate - so the fault is mine (or maybe AML's)..

Finally breaking my 2020 run of Luftwaffe fighters with this 1/48 Yak-3 from Eduard. An old and extremely basic kit, but the fit is decent and it builds up fairly well. I'm still getting to grips with VVS colours so I mixed these shades from what I had available - I'd be interested in any comments on them. I think possibly the underside blue may be a little too dark, not sure. I used an AML decal set, which proved to be horribly fragile and I ended up having to use some of the Eduard stars after the AML stars disintegrated. Fortunately, I managed to get the other AML decals on without completely destroying them. Finished in the markings of Lt Col Boris Yeryomin, 31st GIAP, May 45. Mix of indoor and outdoor pics, due to variable weather

The best 'guide' that I have found is to ask on here. Simply post up as much info as you can about the individual aircraft/variant/theatre/unit you are hoping to model and the advice will follow. It may even be on here already, so it's always worth doing a search. In the absence of any single, central resource on all WW2 subjects (I don't think there is one), there is a wealth of knowledge on here to be tapped into.

As above - a lot of the pics don't seem to be showing, but the ones I can see look incredibly good..

Very nicely done - paintwork looks great

It would not be the first time that Eduard had provided a misleading colour profile. If the only evidence for the green doors is from the Eduard profile - and the balance of other evidence shows no such colour - then I would go with the balance...

My suggestion: paint the gear doors in silver. If, at some point in the future, you come across photographic evidence of the doors painted green - then simply re-paint them. In the meantime, if someone tells you the doors should be painted green, ask them for the evidence. Choose a colour and go with it, or the model will never get built

I may have misunderstood the question - but there are two pictures up thread which show the same aircraft apparently without the green painted doors.

Worth noting that they both seem to be out of stock Having said that, they appear to be fairly standard AS-18 type designs, so are likely to be fairly decent..

Found some useful info on Massimo's forum which might be relevant regarding the original question. Although Vallejo does offer a range of AMT-specific colours, one of the members there is suggesting the following Vallejo Model Air alternatives to AMT colours: AMT-4 > Vallejo 71.010 AMT-6 > 71.057 AMT-7 > 71.008 AMT-1 > 71.023 AMT11 > 71.047 AMT-12 > 71.052 A-14 > 71.047 The assumption for the above is 1/72 scale, so they may/may not be appropriate for other scales. I've only briefly compared these, but they seem reasonable. Someone with more detailed knowledge of the topic might have more to add perhaps..

There's a vintage tractor restorer near me who finishes his restos in two pack or stove enamel, usually. I'm going to tell him to use 'tractor paint' instead...

I don't propose to link to them here (some are indicated above anyway), but they are easy enough to find on both this and other forums. Everything is simpler when the myths are stripped away - RLM, AMT and even 'duck egg blue' - or was it green*..? . (* - this is an attempt at humour btw - not a proposition for debate)

Thanks Bob I did consider puttying, but I just don't have the patience. I've got 'some' - but not that much...

Troy - it's not a myth - the debates are real, I've read them. And this is another one. It doesn't mean the colours aren't simple though..