1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)

[ScanmanDan]

Thanks for the idea Woody but unfortunately the cockpits stitched up tighter than a fishes ... I have been advised that they make anti static guns for cleaning the dust off vinyl records. Ideally that would just let the dust fall off the glass. But they run something like $70 new! I think I had one ages ago in another life, Yep, I'm old enough to remember collecting 45's I must have sold it along with all my lp's and 45's ages ago. I did a web search and found a How-to make one out of some bits and pieces. I might have to give that a try. Thank for the encouragement.

DAn

[keefr22]

What about drilling a small hole just big enough for the straw on one of those anti static cans that Woody mentioned, just under the canopy, where you've already had to fill? You'll be able to re-fill it after cleaning, & although the filler may just be noticeable through the other side of the canopy, I'd guess it would show far less than the debris that's bothering you?

Excellent work so far, really enjoying watching what skill & some TLC can do to a kit I threw together one Boxing Day so may years ago....!!

k

[keefr22]

Just had another thought - you could plug the hole(s) you had to drill to poke the straw through with plastic rod or stretched sprue of the right diameter. Paint the inside of the 'plug' with the same colour you've used for the cockpit & I'd bet it would be invisible through the canopy....

[ScanmanDan]

Progress;

Worked on the other wing this weekend and I'm getting close to being able to mount both wings, Yeah! I hate having to do more than one of anything so this work was a bit of a drag. Did get to mount the Aber brass FF 20mm canon, They are sweet!.

This wing have a bit of a warp so out can even more epoxy putty and a bit of aluminium tube to make a spar.

Just goes to show how much epoxy putty I use... I never use a little when a lot will do

More to show next time as the wings go on! I'm a little stuffed as I don't quite know how I'm going to mount the main gear as the weird moveable way that Airfix would have you do it is a non starter.

I'm sure more putty is in my future.

Keefr22- Thanks for the ideas, much to think about... I've sucsessfully not thought about the dust all week, hmmm Maybe I can wish it away

Thanks for looking in.

Dan

Edited October 14, 2013 by ScanmanDan

[ScanmanDan]

Progress, boring stuff but progress;

Primers on.

I'm pretty pleased as the nose panels were all over the place, well not too bad for a 70's Airfix kit if you know what I mean, but still a lot of careful fettling tio get them on straight. Sure would hate to try and make this with removable cowlings. Now it's on to the fun bit pre-shade and paint! Still have to pick a scheme out of about a zillion ones I like. Have all next week to choose as won't be able to get much done with too much work to do. Nice to have the bf-109 in the paintshop as it looks mean now. I have some masks for the markings so that should in theory make it a bit easier. I like the subtle way the rivets came out as they will all but dissappear under the camouflage.

Thanks for stopping by for a look see.

Dan

[jettnett2003]

Keep up the good work, it is just inspiring to watch this old bird take shape.

[woody37]

Thanks for the idea Woody but unfortunately the cockpits stitched up tighter than a fishes ... I have been advised that they make anti static guns for cleaning the dust off vinyl records. Ideally that would just let the dust fall off the glass. But they run something like $70 new! I think I had one ages ago in another life, Yep, I'm old enough to remember collecting 45's I must have sold it along with all my lp's and 45's ages ago. I did a web search and found a How-to make one out of some bits and pieces. I might have to give that a try. Thank for the encouragement.

DAn

It looks like there's a hole for the mast! That should be enough to get a blast of air in

[woody37]

Progress, boring stuff but progress;

Dan

Far from boring, it looks gorgeous

[TheStig]

looking great!

[ScanmanDan]

Progress;

Gone all stripy

Three colours dark and three colours light like I always do. Need to let her set for a day to rest before starting on the camouflage. Think I'm going to do a plain jane RLM 65 blue hard edged up to the spine. I can always add some mottles if I want to go nuts. Yellow nose and tail natch

Thanks for all the kind support guys, my wife thought I'd ruined the pretty neat paint as she rather liked the all over grey. I say the more grubby the better!

Woody37- Funny you said that I was thinking much the same as I used a drop of white glue to mask off that very hole. I wonder if I can get some fine tube to direct the blast

Dan

[woody37]

Even if you can't get the straw in, you might be able to hold it against the hole and get enough air in to remove the dust, Hope it works, but it will be a gem either way from the way it's progressing

[TnF3]

Providing lots of inspiration with this build Dan. She’s looking really good, cracking job

[Val]

wow, the pre-shading alone is a work of art

[ScanmanDan]

Progress:

Now in colour

The paint job is getting there. I think there is still too much contrast but a few more passes will sort that out. Once that sets up nice and hard I will tackle the greens. Then the markings and dents and dings!

Thanks for all of the great comments.

Dan

[keefr22]

That's looking superb!

[ScanmanDan]

I'm pleased you guys like the 109 so far. Thanks for all the encouraging support. Here she is in some more paint.

Progress;

Re-did the belly trying to be more subtle, not my strongest suit.

Then on to the main event, Camo!

I know too loud but the weathering will tone it all down and darken the 65 and 02. Tried real hard not to be too leopard skinned patchy. But it's done now and I have still to tackle the yellow(shudder).

All good thou it took much longer to do than I had planned the day just went by in a blink. I hope you guys like it. I'm surprising happy which is unusual for me

Thanks for looking in.

Dan

[keefr22]

That looks really good to me Dan, it's going to be mighty impressive when finished! Only problem is you've got me getting all nostalic for Christmases past (which was the only time I'd ever get one of these 'Superkits', which were then finished by New Year!) and I'm now scouring e-bay looking for them. Must stop.....!!!!

Keith

[ScanmanDan]

Thanks Keith, I never got any Super Scale Airfix as a kid but I well remember them on the top shelf of the local hobby shop. No I was more a Monogram kid, though they did seem to suffer at the hands of my Pellet Gun.

Progress;

Yellow went on pretty well. The pink undercoat seemed to warm up the base for the yellow. I usually use Tamiya Flat yellow warmed up with some flat red. Then just the yellow as a highlight. I didn't want to add any white for fear of washing out the yellow and making it look chalky. Think this is the best large bit of yellow I've ever managed. Another thing I have been plying with is adding about 20-30 percent Tamiya Flat Clear to my mixes. Making more of a tint than an outright paint. I have saved the nose for this week end when I can spend a proper amount of time masking it. I can feel myself rushing and that's never a good sign. So I'll put her aside till the weekend to harden up.

Thanks for looking.

Dan

[Chris W. Balmer]

Thats really looking good... very subtle work here!!! Love it

[keefr22]

That is coming along really nicely Dan, the yellow does look very good. I've used pink as an undercoat to brighten red before, but never considered it for yellow - I shall try that next time, along with the flat base tip!

And as for pellet guns - that seems to be a common end for many of these things doesn't it - I know almost all mine from back then met their end at the hands of a .177 air rifle...!!

[ScanmanDan]

A tiny bit of Progress;

Played a bit with the Montex masks. Lots of messing about before I got a work method that seemed to give me the result I was looking for. A pretty good product and very worth the price. They stick well and conform okay. They don't conform as easily as masks you cut from Tamiya tape but they save a lot of time and aggravation not having to cut the design out by hand. I do wish that each marking had some notes on them as I spent ages making sure I used the right size for the bottom wing. ( I nearly didn't ) I still need to work on lining everything up but that's why I started with the bottom wing . I'm sure you could save them and use them again but I didn't bother. I will buy another set or two.

Will press on with the rest of the fuselage now that I have a way clear. Lots still to do but This is a part of building I really love. As each new mask comes off the plane is more and more complete.

Chris - Thanks! I'm thrilled you said subtle. I don't do subtle well but I'm working on it all the time.

keefr22- I need to keep that idea of a pink undercoat in mind next time I paint as it might come in handy for different colours. I will tell you another weird colour combination that works better than I would have thought. Use a light flesh colour to drybrush very dark greys and black. Works a treat and makes the detail pop much more than a light grey would.

Dan

[ScanmanDan]

Stayed up late last night well, early this morning and sprayed some more.

A little progress;

Really happy with the tail as I agonised over the placement of the second mask(black) for ages hoping and trying to get it centred. The figure eight came out better than I had hoped though that said I think I will add a thin seal of Vallejo liquid mask around the thin white masks to seal out the black over spray. I will also have to work on getting them straight! I must say that after an initial period of struggle with the Montex masks I have really enjoyed working with them. Those thin white stripe masks would have been mindbending if cut from Tamiya tape. The Montex ones are thick enough that you have a bit of an edge to lean the mask into and follow around the main mask. They are flexible but have a decent 'memory' that lets them follow the original shapes of the mask. Also of note is that the adhesive sticky but not too sticky and responds well to being handled. For me these are a boon as I hate and have very little success with waterslide decals.

I'll stop bugging you good folks and get on with the rest of the markings. I want to get on to the dry transfers and then the clear coats because that means. Weathering!!!

Dan