What If: Fuerza Aérea Argentina Bf 109F-4 (Started!)

[Sturmovik]

I held a poll this 24 asking whether Argentina would have used the Bf 109F-4 or the Fw 190A-2/3 had it joined the Axis officially during WW2. The 109 won, so I placed the order yesterday for the Eduard Weekend Edition Bf 109F-4 in 48th scale, and today made the payment for the kit. Knowing Dukel Hobbies, the model should arrive this week (hopefully).

I've already decided to paint the aircraft in a natural metal finish scheme, with the antiglare panel being the remainder of the RLM 74/75 camouflage. The rudder will carry the Argentinian flag. Numerals will be I-110 (I for Interceptor), with the emblem of G5C in the nose, and maybe the addition of "Fuerza Aérea Argentina" below the G5C's emblem. The decals are from Condor Decals sheet for the Mirage IIIEA/CJ in 48th.

 

The poll:

 

Image of the kit contents:

Inspiration for my 109:

 

Emblem of the G5C:

 

Stay tuned for more progress!

 

 

 

 

Edited December 2, 2021 by Sturmovik

[Sturmovik]

Just received my kit from Dukel Hobbies, their shipping method is perfect. 

 

Here's the boxart:

 

Parts (still in their bag):

 

And the decals I'll be using:

 

I'll try to start tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[k5054nz]

I like this idea a lot! Very cool.

[Sturmovik]

Just finished building the basic cockpit:

 

I accidentally dropped the instrument panel to the floor, and spent 15 minutes looking for it with my phone's flashlight. Was able to find it luckily:

 

I don't really like how Eduard designed the tailwheel. You must add it before closing the fuselage, and you risk breaking it while handling the model:

 

Here you can see I taped everything. The fuselage halves were a bit warped towards the nose, so some force had to be applied. The fuel pipe and the instrument panel in the cockpit also made the fit worse, so I trimmed the pieces a bit.

 

Empennage completed:

 

Propeller finished. This is the most time consuming part of each of my models, apart from canopy masking.

 

I'm still not sure on how I will paint the ailerons. Knowing they were covered with fabric, I was thinking on painting them in RLM 75 to give some contrast against the NMF.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 1, 2021 by Sturmovik

[opus999]

I like this. This will be a fun "what-if"!

[Sturmovik]

11 minutes ago, opus999 said:

I like this. This will be a fun "what-if"!

I'm having tonnes of fun with it tbh. I enjoyed priming the surface with black, only to brush the Steel colour. 

I also painted the Argentinia flag on the rudder.

[Sturmovik]

Wings have been built:

 

Eduard gives you six pieces in total to build up the wheelwells's walls. These needed to be sanded down so the upper wing halves could fit above them.

 

Wings glued to the fuselage.

 

More progress soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sturmovik]

Primer applied. I brushed a single coat of Revell's Matt Black.

 

I then brushed five coats of Revell 91 Steel, and let it harden for some hours before applying the RLM 74 anti-glare panel in the cowling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[k5054nz]

Looking good, Sturmovik! 👍

[Sturmovik]

Decals have been applied. These are a mix between Dukel Hobbies (roundels) and Condor Decals (numerals and insignia).

 

Next step is adding the matt coat, and after that, the finishing touches.

 

 

 

 

 

[opus999]

That steel finish look terrific!  Wow!   The markings look really nice against the natural metal finish.  This is going to be a terrific looking aircraft.

[k5054nz]

Exactly my thoughts. Looking really good, Sturmovik!

[Sturmovik]

1 hour ago, k5054nz said:

Exactly my thoughts. Looking really good, Sturmovik!

 

6 hours ago, opus999 said:

That steel finish look terrific!  Wow!   The markings look really nice against the natural metal finish.  This is going to be a terrific looking aircraft.

Thank you both!

 

Finished!

 

[Sturmovik]

RFI thread here: