theplasticsurgeon Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Introducing my build of Franz Von Werra's Bf109E, courtesy of the Airfix kit - that's been seen before. Parts, some pre-painted. The starter version of this kit cost me £5.50 at The Works in 2013, then swapped kits with @Hepster - I received this one. This being the only decal option, I've got and watched the DVD of his story. And I found the book by Kendall Burt and James Leasor - whilst at school. Oh where is that copy now? Franz Von Werra was a colourful character - as described in Valkyrie's thread. Prone to exageration? - that's one way of describing his character. As I remember from the book: There was an attempt to run away to Amerika, and being returned to Germany. Then the flamboyant fighter pilot with a pet lion-cub, wonder what became of that. A lot of drawing attention to himself, like being towed around his airfield in a bath-tub - towed by a friend's sports car. His picture, with the lion, and a broken finger, was on the cover of Signal Magazine. It was then used by RAF interrogators to identify Von Werra, following his capture. There was also a controversial incident of falsifying RAF kills, and subsequent discrediting at interrogation - covered in the film. As I recall, this was to move himself up the scoreboards, putting him in consideration for medals. . . . . . and holders of those high medals were promised estates in the occupied territories. Thus exageration with the purpose of self-gain. For FvW's first escape he detached from a exercise-party, and was on the run in the Lake District for a few days. His second attempt was a tunnel. He got away to Hucknall, where he impersonated a downed Dutch airman - and almost stole a brand new Hurricane II for his return to Europe. The third successful escape was by jumping from a train window, after being transported to Canada. The film stops when FvW steals a boat, and crosses the frozen St Lawrence Seaway to the USA. This is the start of another aspect of the story. FvW makes his way to New York, where the German Embassy is under constant surveillance by the FBI. The USA is still neutral at the time, but it's just a matter of time . . . And Canada has lodged an extradition order over that stolen rowing-boat! Germans have few friends in North America. In avoidance of a kidnap, and him being returned against his will to Canada, FvW is instructed to visit a specific cafe, where an envelope full of cash is secreted in the cistern of a toilet. Then to disappear and make his way to Brazil, and then return to Germany. Wiki is probably correct that this help came from the German Embassy, saying the Vice-Consulate. I remember he had to obtain very used clothes, and impersonate a farmhand as he crossed into Mexico. Returning to neutral Spain on the final TransAtlantic flying-boat service from Brazil, he then made his way to Italy, and finally Germany. An exciting read - certainly it was that. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Hi Tim, so this makes three of us with this very paint scheme. The more the merrier! Have fun! JR 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Great aircraft really great story, I do like the scheme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Law Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 14 hours ago, theplasticsurgeon said: And I found the book by Kendall Burt and James Leasor - whilst at school. Oh where is that copy now? Franz Von Werra was a colourful character - as described in Valkyrie's thread. Prone to exageration? - that's one way of describing his character. As I remember from the book: There was an attempt to run away to Amerika, and being returned to Germany. Then the flamboyant fighter pilot with a pet lion-cub, wonder what became of that. A lot of drawing attention to himself, like being towed around his airfield in a bath-tub - towed by a friend's sports car. His picture, with the lion, was on the cover of Signal Magazine. It was then used by RAF interrogators to identify Von Werra, following his capture. There was also a controvertial incident of falsifying RAF kills, and subsequent discrediting at interrogation - covered in the film. For FvW's first escape he detached from a work-party, and was on the run in the Lake District for a few days. His second attempt was a tunnel. He got away to Hucknall, where he impersonated a downed Polish airman - and almost stole Hurricane for his return to Europe. The third successful escape was by jumping from a train, after being transported to Canada. The film stops when FvW steals a boat, and crosses the frozen St Lawrence seaway to the USA. This is the start of another aspect of the story. FvW makes his way to New York, where the German Embassy is under constant surveylance by the FBI. The USA is still neutral at the time, but it's just a matter of time . . . And Canada has lodged an extradition order over that stolen rowing-boat! Germans have few friends on North America. In avoidance of a kidnap, and him being returned to Canada, FvW is instructed to visit a specific cafe, where an envelope full of cash is secreted in the cistern of a toilet. Then to disappear and make his way to Brazil, and then return to Germany. I remember he had to obtain very used clothes, and impersonate a farmhand as he crossed into Mexico. Returning to neutral Spain on the final TransAtlantic flying-boat service from Brazil, he then made his way to Italy, and finally Germany. An exciting read - certainly it was that. The one thing you missed out was he was killed later in the war. If he had stayed in Canada he would have lived a full life. Escaping is not always a good thing. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share Posted July 11, 2020 My good friend Hepster researched this aircraft, coming up with these conclusions:- which is how I plan to complete. I think this is as it was shot down. I have found a photo of FvW with his lion-cub, without the nose differences. The lighter cowling is simply newer and cleaner than the rest of the plane - it is still RLM 65. The RLM71/02 on top of the cowling does not match, it has a softer edge than the stuff behind. The canopy does not have the armour plate panel behind, which makes life easier. The air intake under the nose is missing a splitter plate, because it is missing on the Hendon example. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 What’s your plan to tackle the newer cowling piece? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torbjorn Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 19 hours ago, Greg Law said: The one thing you missed out was he was killed later in the war. If he had stayed in Canada he would have lived a full life. Escaping is not always a good thing. His briefings to the German staff, after returning to Germany, about how he was treated as a prisoner is said to have led to better treatment of captured allied pilots. But yeah, he should’ve stayed in Rio. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted July 14, 2020 Author Share Posted July 14, 2020 Getting going now, the prop and spinner, and the cockpit. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted July 14, 2020 Author Share Posted July 14, 2020 Here's my build from the 2015 GB this same theme - shame on photobucket. This a Heller Bf109E. Port tail knocked off by Ken MacKenzie's 501 Squadron Hurricane. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted July 14, 2020 Author Share Posted July 14, 2020 Airframe pulled together. My only comment that the diherdral seems slightly flat - and I tried to trim the parts in anticipation. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted July 15, 2020 Author Share Posted July 15, 2020 Managed to airbrush some Humbrol 65 on the underside this afternoon. Mixing in some white for the cowling and nose. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 Hi there, good progress!!! This 109 scrubs well. Just one thing: no yellow tips on Luftwaffe propellers. Keep having fun! JR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted July 15, 2020 Author Share Posted July 15, 2020 So tonight I painted white wingtips And shows my lighter cowling. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted July 16, 2020 Author Share Posted July 16, 2020 Airbrushed the wings with Humbrol HN2 dark grey. Then knocked out this mask for the wing and tail camo Which I airbrushed XtraColor Dunklegrun. Showing how I did the nose. The lighter cowling was hard masked with an independant demarcation level to the fuselage. Then that intermediate area wasn't masked. Feathered airbrush edge. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted July 17, 2020 Author Share Posted July 17, 2020 Major decals fitted, and I dunked the canopy in Klear this morning. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 This is looking good! It gives me an idea of what mine will look like... I like it! JR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 Hi Tim, Sorry to say this but I think you may have the same problem with the prop as on your other build. The instructions show the prop with equal taper/curve on both sides so it would not matter which way round it went, but it actually seems to have more curve on one side than the other, and the leading edge is usually the straighter one AFAIK. Hope I am wrong. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted July 17, 2020 Author Share Posted July 17, 2020 I didn't notice the prop chaps, but it is pretty weedy. We'll have to put up with it now. I'm re-writing history that the Luftwaffe came second in this battle 'cos their props were rubbish. Anyway, I've fitted the canopy, framed it and completed the decals. Leaving the model looking like this. 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 Hi Tim, this 109 is looking just fine. Great job all around! Just one small detail, not about the prop, but the canopy. There are no canopy frames in the middle of the opening section of the cockpit, both on the sides and on the top. This is just where two sheets of perspex overlap a little bit. Like sliding windows... Anyway, not a train smash in my eyes, but worth a mention for the next E-4! I like it! JR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted July 18, 2020 Author Share Posted July 18, 2020 On 7/18/2020 at 7:42 PM, jean said: There are no canopy frames in the middle of the opening section of the cockpit, both on the sides and on the top. This is just where two sheets of perspex overlap a little bit. Like sliding windows... I've taken the side frames off - raising this build from the depths of a train-wreck, to the shallows of a car-crash. Anyway undercarriage and completion. I'll post better gallery photos tomorrow. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 Nice job, I like your splinter cam template. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share Posted July 19, 2020 Final completed photos. This is Tim signing off from this GB, so all participants - enjoy! 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 Hi Tim, great result! It does look like the few photos I have found of that aircraft, so a job well done! Are you starting another GB? Great show! JR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 That is a very smart job Tim, I do like your paint work. 👍 Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 Liking that, good job. Such a confusing subject this aircraft...spinner colour, cowling colour, cockpit armour, canopy framing, white wing tips, underside only? i like your version 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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