Building a correct(?) 1:48 Nigth Figther: Messerschmit Bf 110G series

[BOBO]

In my kit collection I have more than only one model of Bf 110G in scale 1/48, three old models from Revell/ Mongram (1997) and two Eduard kits, the newest version of this type. to built 5 kits is a very hard and that's why I've decided only three kit with correkt antenna areas and night fighter camouflage . This thread will be a longtime article.

I found in these and some other board interesting articles about this kit. But most from them has mistakes and incorrection interpretation of camouflage and antenna equipment.
In my reference library I found many drawings with mixing and speculatively antenna equipments and color camouflage model arts. But all have the same mistake:

• camouflage is incorrect or false
• antenna equipments speculatively
• only a few a/c types and equipments are understandable

Many of last Bf 110G type are unique version with individuell armaments and equipments. Therefore it is not easy to built a correct Bf 110G.
I do my best for a good result. It is my first built of bf 110G ! I have a good research done for conversion of He-219A-0 (G9 + FK) and got a big picture (greater as my TV!!) from a former fighter pilot from these Nigth Figther Squadron. So I have had in result a absolute correct nigth figther camouflage with help of digital tests on my computer:

Edited December 20, 2015 by BOBO

[BOBO]

Most of kit manufacturers has also too many mistakes in they construction planes and camouflage scheme. Otherwise the decals often with errors or false dimensions and false colors.

Since many times I love to built models with help from photo templates. It is interesting and the best way for a prototypically model.

I found in my print source of hand library these two interesting photo copies for use as template. This is a Bf 110G-4 with FuG 220 SN 2b in 90° and - very interesting - a FuG 227 Flensburg on the end of the wing tips. Never Revell Kit has these detail. So I must/ can a selfmade antenna!

This Bf 110G-4-type was overpainted/ brightened with RLM76 (I'm shure!) The a/c letter-code is 3C + LB (the green Letter "L" is white outlined). This a/c is the personaly commander mashine from first group of NJG4 and was flown from Maj. Wilhelm Herget. He is not a unknowing nigth figther score-as. He is a "Garden Gnome/ Gartenzwerg" with great authority!

and note, the pitot is here in the middle of wing leading edge - see picture above!

In my hand library I found also some color drawings © Squadron-Publ.:

A good color grafic but not realistic enough. The next also too - from Cutting Edge:

A mixing from both is the best result for a original camouflage!

Edited January 19, 2016 by BOBO

[BOBO]

Then I open the REVELL/ Monogram/ ProModeler kit box I see a interesting result of parts and version for a Bf 110G-4. This kit was long times the best, what we found in scale 1/48. (Revell news 1997). Promodeller has interesting decals, but not to used for my version

But I compare the kit parts with my photo template and must decide which parts are to be used:

• "Schrägbewaffnung" used or not? (upward-firing canon)
• Bomb raks used or not?
• kit antenna parts correct or not
• I have mask for these cockpit? (inside/ outside)
• one or two antenna wires from cockpit to tail?

Well, I have decide for "Schrägbewaffnung", no bomb raks, two antenna wire. From MONTEX I found a mask für version G-2, also to used for G-4 - no problem.

Then I cut the first part of wing, fuselage and tail for a "dry test". I get a shock, as the assembly of wing can supposed to work. Absolutly unusual for a kit modeler when I only use a construction plane for clearing part problems!

But let me begin with my picture report:

Enamel Colors: AGAMA/ XTRA_COLOR_MODEL MASTER

Airbrush: Triplex (German quallity product)

resin parts from AIRES, Attention, the gun covering is to small but no problem, if you put this part lie down.

self-made Flensburg FuG with 0,02mm copper wire an 0.03mm hollow plastic chopsticks.

Problem: different underside profil between left and right wing

sulotion: self-made ferrule - I havn't had no times and it must fast go on

the tail is ncorrect and must shorten quickly!

Preshading with permanent marker black! Very easy and quickly!

RLM 75 is airbrushed!

RLM 74 is airbrushed ... now it is the first step of Day/ Nigth-Figther-Camouflage

Cockpit is masked and redy to airbrushed!

Next steps:

• first FuG holders (underside) is mounted
• RLM 76 undersides and first overpaintings,
• Shark's mouth on the nose cones and light overpainting

I have now a pause - I will make travel arrangements for Telford in the next week and realise some IT-Projects (I work as IT-specialist)

Edited November 15, 2015 by BOBO

[BOBO]

Back from Telford I started the next steps. Markings are not available for my kit. So I have made some new composition from my decal collection leftovers.

The with outline "L" is selfmade from two parts.

Great problems I have with shark's mouth. I use a rigth side from Eduard. But the white underground is not in good quality. Now I do think about these decals sheet to change with a other decal or to create new with airbrsuh template - let me some times.

Balkenkreuz template (made in Poland)

[BOBO]

I am no longer the youngest modellers. That's why I sleep badly at night. I got up at 1:15 clock in the morning to eat an ice cream, have turned on the TV and it looked on my model.
Oooops, because it's wrong. Exactly, the left side with the marking "LB" was incorrectly positioned. I have now been corrected. No problem, only 15 minutes to work!

Edited November 16, 2015 by BOBO

[GREG DESTEC]

Excellent work Bobo! I built the Revell boxing of the G4 but it didn't turn out as nice as yours is. Keep it going

[BOBO]

Well, in this moment the shark's mouth marking is ready. I used the EDUARD-decal from E-version, but the colors are not opaque.

With white and red color I have make some corrections on this marking and so I find it is a solide work for old Revell-kit.

[BOBO]

Yes, and now comes the rest of identifier markings and a little detail. Complete marking is 3C + LB 3C I have used old "typofix" letters - self-adhesive from a former architectural firm in Berlin. They used these letters for register cards. I used them for my modell.

And the right auxilary underwing tank has a little front dent. I make the same in scale 48.

[BOBO]

Next Steps:

Built a self handmade FuB L2 (fuselage underside) and the metallic armor-plates for front of windshield. (construction plane templates)

Edited November 22, 2015 by BOBO

[BOBO]

Today I was brave. The color RLM 76 was within 1 hour on the model.The day fighter painting is now brightened

[Bob Henry]

It looks really good !! Thanks for posting. Bob H.

[BOBO]

Yesterday and today was a good day of modeling for me.
At first I built the new pitot tube. It made with plastic tube and copper wire. The pitot tube was moved inwards and mounted downstream.
Then I have the canopy mounted with back machine gun. The antenna wires were built in extruded plastic tubes (max. 0.05 mm) threaded through the antenna mast and fixed.
Likewise, I have the pilot's seat refined with belts (self made - not etched)

I color the antenna wires with black permanently marker. The result is a fine black matallic color!

[Bob Henry]

WOW !! I thought that I was the only crazy person to color my antenna wires with a black permanent marker !! Thanks for the update. Bob H.

[Blitz23]

What a build, one of my favourite German aircraft.

[BOBO]

Well, now I have install FuG antenna of Flensburg-Gerät (left and right), navigations lights. And too I installed canopy parts and found this part is a little bit too large. Is is so - and is not changeable. Many litle parts wait now of my work. I must find a good day with calm hand for MK108 canons, last conopy parts, wheels, FuG 220 antennas. Some color areas I must modified in the next.

Edited January 7, 2016 by BOBO

[BOBO]

Today i Installed a new loop antenne on the canopy and the majority MK108 parts in model weapons bug.

And a matching model base plate for this model has exist.

Edited January 10, 2016 by BOBO

[Bob Henry]

You are getting closer !!! Thanks for the update. Bob H.

[BOBO]

The nights are long and I still have very little time. Therefore, it is slow. The wheels are finished, the spinners have been changed in color. Next steps follow later.

[Bob Henry]

I like it for sure !! Keep up the good work. Bob H.

[BOBO]

Wow - a little mistake on landing gear - small cause with big effect. When I lift the tail, propeller has only a small gap to the ground.

I have made this mistake.

So I cut the landing gear without any emotion and now I do my best for a correction.

Sorry, but the construction plan is no helper in this moment

Edited January 19, 2016 by BOBO

[BOBO]

Well, the new landing gear construction be ready for installation. A liitle bit color and cement and my mistake is changed.

Edited January 20, 2016 by BOBO

[Duncan B]

Looks really good so far.

Duncan B

[Bob Henry]

Yes, it's looking good. Bob H.

[BOBO]

Now left, the corrected landing gear is ready to inspection. Not easy, but finished. The Revel landing gear part not easy to bulit because many brakepoint are exist, because some part are only glued butt. ... it is a old model!

Edited January 24, 2016 by BOBO

[Bob Henry]

Nice recovery !! Bob H.