Trumpeter 1/24 Me-109 K4

[ScanmanDan]

Been a bit under the weather lately and my other builds were getting me down so I thought I'd do something to cheer myself up.

Set myself a bit of a challenge. No aftermarket stuff, only Radus' neato seat belts, and no mucking about straight from the box.

After one week I'm about here.

The kits gone to gather very nicely. No putty and only a few shims of styrene with a touch of superglue. Almost ready for paint.

Need to know from the 109 experts. Do I have to have the slats extended if the bird is on the ground?

Thanks for looking in.

Dan

[Radleigh]

Nice build Dan, regarding the slats. I've only ever seen them closed on photos on the ground, but me personally would have them open as I think they are the same as the Me-262 slats and can be pulled open or closed when on the ground for checks etc.

Someone correct me if i'm barking up the wrong tree please

[ScanmanDan]

Thanks Radleigh for the intel on the slats. I went with the slats pushed back as I liked the look better. Gear built and awaiting paint as is the prop. Had to do something with the panzer armour. It's a solid piece on the kit. Why couldn't it have been on the clear sprue?

Cut out thinned down and then put some 5 minute epoxy in for glass, bubbles and all. Not great but looks better than the kit part, just.

Really close to painting time final once over tomorrow and then off to the paint booth!

Dan

[Parabat]

This is going to be great! Good work so far.

Regarding the slats, they would deploy at low speeds and landing and would generally be pushed back into place on the ground by the ground crew. This was done to prevent fouling by debris, and in winter, prevent ice forming that would then hold the slats open. During taxi the slate would generally 'pop' open due to being bounced around.

[ScanmanDan]

Thanks Parabat. I used 5 minute epoxy cause I was lazy and it's quick but I couldn't let those blinking bubbles stay. Fearful of rising AMS I thought I'd whack in some 2.5mm acrylic I had in the parts bin. Thankfully my better half bought me a Trumpy G10 for my birthday so I had another headrest to butcher. After about five goes here's where I'm at, done, finished...

Not perfect as there are just too many angles to get it to sit just right and five tries is enough, but no silly bubbles either.

I'm off to mess with the prop and spinner now.

Spirals, sudder...

Dan

[ScanmanDan]

Took a sideways jab and decided to cast up some wheels. Three and a half hours from sitting down I got these;

I must say I love this Pinkysil casting mix. Works great and it's fast.

Some days life is good

Dan