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Here are the final photos from my 109 build, which I documented over on this thread: It's my second build, so I kept things simple. All standard out of the box parts and I copied the box art to the best of my ability, and added some light weathering. Paint is all Vallejo acrylics. I'm always eager to improve, so I appreciate all critique, tips, and suggestions! The canopy is a bit of a weak point on this build; I've talked about the issues I've had with it over on the build thread (as well as the many other things that cropped up!). The photos:

7./JG53 Bf.109G6/R6 ‘Cartoon Aircraft’ (48002a) 1:48 Iliad Designs The Bf.109 was ubiquitous in German fighter service during WWII, and aside from their national markings and those damn swastikas, the squadrons often applied artwork to the sides of their aircraft for their own entertainment and sense of camaraderie, or to differentiate themselves from each other where camouflage was rigorously applied. There’s precious little humour to be had in war, so a great many war fighters on all sides found amusement by decorating their machines of war with slogans or caricatures. Cartoons were commonly used, hence the name of this decal sheet. This decal sheet contains markings for six such cartoon Bf.109s from 7./JG53 during their high-demarcation period, when they were all wearing practically identical camouflage, with green/white spinner and yellow panels under the cowling, with some restrained mottling applied to the light blue fuselage sides. You will need to mask and paint the spinner yourself, although the instructions advise you that as it’s a constant width, so you can mask it with 1.5mm wide tape or decal strip if you have the right colour to hand. Each airframe has cartoonish drawing of their squadron emblem that has been given arms and legs, and is doing something comical and jingoistic to either an avatar representing the enemy or something else equally silly that only the squadron crews would understand. The final common aspect apart from the national markings is the white tail-band that is probably best painted before the rest of the darker colours are laid down, then masked off until near the end. The decal sheet is exceptionally well-printed with good registration, sharpness and colour density, plus a thin glossy carrier film cut close to the printed surfaces. The set doesn’t include stencils of course, as these are usually included on the kit sheet, but in this instance there is a small additional postage stamp-sized sheet with a number of triangular fuel-rating and oil filler stencils, and because the main sheet provides a full set of crosses for each option, you can build all six options providing you have suitable kits and the patience to build half a dozen in the same basic scheme one after another. As well as side profiles, the opposite side of the instruction sheet shows overhead views of the aircraft, so that you can map out the camouflage on all surfaces, which is always helpful. Additional scrap diagrams show painting of the prop spiral, location of the triangular info stencils on two photos of the real aircraft, as well as arrowed call-outs of colours, interesting information and a slightly larger rendition of the cartoons to the sides of all of the subject aircraft to assist you further. Conclusion Iliad always produce interesting subjects that are well-researched, have concise instructions, with excellent quality decals rounding out the package. Highly recommended. Iliad Decals are available from all good model shops worldwide. Review sample courtesy of

HELLO, Firstly, I did some kits in my childhood but they all look like a child made (paint) them, and I recently got back to modelling with 23 on my back so you can say I'm still a beginner. I bought Revell's BF109 in 1/32 scale and used airbrush for the first time in my life. So I almost finished it but I didn't use any varnish coat yet. My problem is how can I make those transparent parts of decals (mainly on crosses) dissapear? I thought of using gloss then clear varnish coat but I dont want to mess anything up. p.s.This is my first post here, still getting into it. Hope I posted this in right topic 🙂 . c

What is this strange beast pray tell ? http://www.ebay.de/itm/Foto-Stuka-Staffelwappen-Seltenes-Tarnmuster-Wappen-wohl-D-2-WK-Me-Ju-/161389475371?pt=Fotografien_Fotokunst&hash=item25938ff62b Looks like the results of some close fraternization with a D. 520 . Art