1/48 Zvezda Messerschmitt Bf-109 F-4, White 3, 10 Jabo JG53

[Jordan Giddins]

Messerschmitt Bf-109 F-4, White 3, 10 Jabo, JG.53, Uffz. Dr Felix Sauer, Gela, Sicily, March 1942

 

Background

 

This build will depict a Bf109 F-4 used by JG53 during the height of the siege of Malta in early to mid 1942. The jagdgeschwader were drafted to Sicily to counter the rising threat of the newly arrived Spitfire V's. This machine flown by Uffz. Felix Sauer was forced the land on the beach at Donnalucata, Sicily on 27th March 1942 after suffering damage sustained from a sortie over Malta.

 

 

 

The kit

 

For this build I have chosen the 1/48 offering from Zvezda and added a Quinta interior set and some dual masks from KV Models and Hasegawa decals.

 

Manufacturer; Zvezda;

Scale; 1/48

Aftermarket; Quinta interior set, KV Models dual mask.

Paints; Exterior AK Real Colour RC278 RLM74 Grau Grun, RC279 RLM75 Grau Violet, RC320 RLM76 Licht Blau and RC267 RLM04 Gelb. Prop RC274 RLM70 Schwarz Grun.

Interior; RC265 RLM02 Grau and RC273 RLM66 Schwarz Grau.  Various Tamiya X and XF and Posca pens for detailing. Xtreme Metal Burnt Metal fir the exhausts.

Primer; Mr Surfacer 1200

Weathering; Flory washes, Abteilung oils and Tamiya weathering palettes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 18, 2023 by Jordan Giddins

[81-er]

That's an interesting scheme. I've not seen a Zveda 109 build before, so I'll be following with interest

 

James

[Jordan Giddins]

2 hours ago, 81-er said:

That's an interesting scheme. I've not seen a Zveda 109 build before, so I'll be following with interest

 

James

Thanks James, it looks pretty good on the runners but not a patch on Eduard's level of detail. Hopefully it'll build up into a nice 109.

[Jordan Giddins]

I've made a start on the 109 and so far I have to say I'm very impressed with this kit.

 

It provides an option to have a fully detailed engine with the engine covers open to display it, which I've decided I will do. The build commenced with building up the crank case and cylinder heads. The fit is superb and really nice molding detail.

 

 

 

There was plenty of additional sub-assemblies and detail to add.

 

 

A convincing looking Daimler Benz 601 is the result.

 

 

I also prepped the parts which will make up the front end assembly including parts which will be needed to be painted different colours such as the supercharger. I've put together the firewall mount and prepped the cannons and the engine bearers. The exhaust stubs will be sprayed on the sprue as Zvezda have been thoughtful and not put any connecting points onto the parts. One of the side tanks has a small sink mark, which needed a smidge of Perfect Plastic putty but that's the only fault so far.

 

 

Next up will be prepping the cockpit and I'll need to look at what detail needs to be removed to accept the Quinta decals.

 

 

Edited August 5, 2023 by Jordan Giddins

[Wings unlevel]

Looks like some lovely detail there.

[Jordan Giddins]

I've assembled the cockpit, which went together beautifully. No ejector pins to sort out either. Most of this will all be RLM66.

 

 

Helpfully Zvezda provide an instrument with no details for the decal option so I only had to remove detail from the lower panel to accept the replacement Quinta decal.

 

 

The fuselage sides and remaining cockpit parts are prepped and ready for painting.

 

 

Next up will sorting out the wings and landing gear. I will also look at masking the inside of the clear parts with the KV masks.

[81-er]

That's looking like a very nice kit indeed, and assembled well

 

James

[Jordan Giddins]

20 minutes ago, 81-er said:

That's looking like a very nice kit indeed, and assembled well

 

James

Thanks James, I'm very impressed with build so far. My local hobby shop has another in stock, which I'm tempted to pick up to do a JG3 machine.

[Jordan Giddins]

I've completed all the prep of the grey styrene parts.

 

 

After some very good advice I've fitted the tail halves to the fuselage halves to aid clean up. They've fitted beautifully.

 

 

The wing sections have some nice molded details in the bays.

 

 

I've prepped the radiators and engine covers, which I'll spray the internals RLM02. I haven't decided what this aeroplane will be carrying on the centre line but may go with the fuel tank, which I've assembled. The carburettor intake is also together so it can set and the seams can be sorted out.

 

 

I'm going to add some wire brake lines to the oleo's, which will be the next job.

 

 

I also need to mask the inside of the clear parts and it should be heading towards some primer and paint.

[Jordan Giddins]

Looking at the options Zvezda callout I've made the decision not to have anything on the centre line to maintain the airframes clean lines.

 

 

That meant fitting the relevant panels, which will need a smidge of Perfect Plastic putty on the joins.

 

 

The next job was to prep the parts. The armoured windshield was attached with a little Kristal Klear.

 

 

The KV masks were applied and are quite thick and needed reinforcing with a little Tamiya tape on the curved areas.

 

I put some lengths of wire in the leading edge of the oleo's to suggest the brake lines.

 

 

All the parts are now grouped into colours ready for painting. I'll prime everything with Mr Surfacer 1200 and then the following: Internals, gear etc AK Real Colour RC265 RLM02 Grau, cockpit areas and inner glazing RC273 RLM66 Schwarzgrau, engine components Tamiya LP5 Semi-Gloss Black, wheels LP65 Rubber Black with LP5 hubs, propeller RC274 RLM70 Schwarzgrun, airline RC267 RLM04 Gelb and the supercharger and radiators AK Xtreme Metal Dark Aluminium. The exhaust stubs I'll spray Xtreme Metal Burnt Metal and then light thinned coats of XF9 Hull Red and X19 Smoke.

 

 

[Sam]

Nice, tidy work @Jordan Giddins!

 

This kit looks like a lot of fun, and you‘re certainly doing a methodical, neat job with it! This is going to turn out great!

[Jordan Giddins]

I've got the initial paint on starting with a primer coat of Mr Finishing Surfacer 1500 Grey. I then base primed the cockpit piping with XF2 and then AK RC267 RLM04 Gelb.

 

The cockpit internals were sprayed RC273 RLM66 Schwarzgrau and the rest RC265 RLM02 Grau. The prop was treated to RC274 RLM70 Schwarzgrun.

 

The engine, wheels hubs, cannons and metal parts were given a coat of LP1 Gloss Black, the supercharger and radiators AK Xtreme Metal Stainless Steel, the exhaust stubs Burnt Metal and then light coats of XF9 Hull Red and X19 Smoke. Finally the wheel hubs were masked with the KV masks and were given a coat of LP65 Rubber Black.

 

 

 

 

Next up will be the detail painting and adding Mr Metal Dark Iron buffable paint to the engine and cannons.

Edited August 10, 2023 by Jordan Giddins

[81-er]

This is coming along nicely, Jordan  

 

James

[Jordan Giddins]

1 hour ago, 81-er said:

This is coming along nicely, Jordan  

 

James

Thanks James.

[Jordan Giddins]

I've started the detail work by applying Mr Metal Dark Iron buffable paint to the engine and cannons. The remaining parts were dry-brushed with Mr Metal Aluminium and a wash of Ammo Interior wash applied. The side tanks and the supercharger were attached too

 

 

The cockpit was also dry-brushed and a wash added and the fuel line attached. I've also fitted the sight to the instrument panel and added the leather detail with XF9 Hull Red.

 

 

The fire wall assembly was put together with the cannons and the ammunition feeds...

 

 

 

...and the remaining parts largely dry-brushed and the wash added. I've also put together the tail wheel assembly.

 

 

 

The next job is to fit the Quinta interior decals, which I'll fit with Mig Ultra Glue. I also need to finish the engine assembly by fitting the exhaust stubs, shields and bearers. I can then attach it to the fire wall assembly.

[81-er]

I think I'm going to have to check out that buffable paint, this is all looking really good

 

James

[Jordan Giddins]

1 hour ago, 81-er said:

I think I'm going to have to check out that buffable paint, this is all looking really good

 

James

Thanks James they are a game changer for adding metal sheens onto mechanical parts and also great for dry-brushing.

 

I've started to put on the Quinta decals and they are lovely to work with. I've put them on with Mig Ultra Glue and so far so good.

 

 

 

I still need to fit the harnesses and the foot straps on the rudder pedals, which will probably need a drop of CA as they need to conform to hold their shape.

[Jordan Giddins]

Lots of fiddly work today. The exhaust stubs were fitted to the engine with the shields and bearers. The assembly was then joined to the fire wall with a good fit with positive locations.

 

 

 

I've attached the last Quinta parts, which consisted of the harness and foot straps on the rudder pedals. These were dried off once taken off the backing paper and attached with CA like P.E.

 

 

I repainted the gunsight as it wasn't RLM02 as per the instructions and fitted it to the instrument panel with the clear sight with a dot of Kristal Klear.

 

 

I also decided to put the main wings together, a beautiful fit together with the wing tips.

 

 

The next job is to fit the instrument panel to the upper fairing and I can then think about getting the fuselage together. When the wings have dried the seams can be cleaned up and the leading edge slats and the control surfaces can be fitted.

[Jordan Giddins]

The wings were sanded and a little Perfect Plastic putty used around the underwing access panels. The joins were very good and needed only a little bit of cleanup and the plastic is very nice to sand.

 

 

I wasn't happy the RLM02 detail on the rear of the firewall as per the instruction callout as it looked incorrect amongst the rest of the cockpit, which was RLM66 so I repainted and dry-brushed it.

 

 

I've fitted the instrument panel onto the upper fairing...

 

 

...and attached the cockpit assembly to the starboard fuselage half.

 

 

With the cockpit set on one fuselage half I could dry-fit the engine assembly.

 

 

Knowing it would fit OK I went ahead and closed up the fuselage. The rear cockpit plate was also fitted and the cockpit surround.

 

 

 

The upper fairing and instrument panel were then fitted...

 

 

...and then the engine assembly.

 

 

Whilst this was setting I fitted the armour plate inside the canopy.

 

 

The radiator scoop was fitted to the lower engine panel. A little filler will be needed to clean the join.

 

 

 

Next the wing section was glued to the fuselage and the fit was pretty good, some filler will be needed on the rear underside join.

 

 

 

 

To ensure everything was square I've attached the nose piece and the upper bar.

 

 

When this has all cured I'll fill and sand the joins and then the radiators, control surfaces and tail planes can be fitted.

[Jordan Giddins]

I've managed to get the seams sanded and cleaned, which didn't need too much work as the fit was generally very good. A little Perfect Plastic putty was needed on the lower rear wing join. I also was careful to preserve the upper fuselage seam.

 

 

 

I can now move on and fit the radiators, control surfaces and tail planes. The clear parts also need to be fitted and then it'll all be masked off ready for primer.

[Jordan Giddins]

The next job was to fit the radiators...

 

 

...the covers and the tailplanes.

 

 

The remaining control surfaces were fitted and the leading edge slats. I decided to remove the port wing pitot as it will only get snapped off. The front and rear clear parts were attached with Kristal Klear having removed the interior masks. I wasn't happy with the rear mask lifting so made a new one from Tamiya tape.

 

 

 

The engines panels won't fit in the open configuration so I will have to paint them off the model. The lower one will be RLM04 but I'll have to align the upper camo somehow on the upper panels. Once this has set I'll mask off the engine and gear bays and tack the centre canopy in place and it'll be ready for a coat of primer.

[Wings unlevel]

The cockpit and engine are beautifully done, I have to say. 👍

[Jordan Giddins]

I finally got round to putting some paint on the 109. I primed it with Mr Surfacer 1200 with SLT and minimal clean up was needed.

 

 

 

I then sprayed the Mediterranean theatre band, the spinner and base primed the yellow nose underside with Mr Finishing Surfacer White.

 

The yellow was then applied, which was AK Real Colour RC267 RLM04 Gelb.

 

 

The next job will be to mask off all these areas. The spinner will have RLM70 added to it leaving a quarter section white and the lower airframe can then be pre-shaded and have the RLM76 applied.

Edited August 31, 2023 by Jordan Giddins

[Jordan Giddins]

The next stage of the painting was to mask off the white and yellow sections. The spinner on this aircraft in fact has a third section in white with the prop blade in the centre of the segment as per Hasegawa's callout. The rear spinner plate was RLM70 not as Hasegawa suggest.

 

 

 

The airframe was pre-shaded with thinned XF1...

 

 

...and the underside colour of AK Real Colour RC320 RLM76 applied. The spinner and plate were sprayed RC274 RLM70 Schwarzgrun.

 

 

The next job will be to mask off the lower surfaces and apply the first main upper camo colour, which will be RC279 RLM75 Grauviolet.

[81-er]

It's all looking good so far, Jordan

 

James