daz greenwood Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 The blue circle came in towards the end of ww2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzy Jase Posted July 19, 2009 Author Share Posted July 19, 2009 The instructions say 1948 is the year the Finnish aircraft is depicted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz greenwood Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Here's a link you all may find interesting. Finnish Air Force Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousFO98 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 (edited) Thanks Daz and Jase wasn't certain if the circle was substituted for the swastika because of the usual reasons Edit intersestingly the article states that the 1947 treaty forbade any weapons of German construction so i am assuming this meant new aircraft hence the 1948 date is okay for the Bf109 ? Edited July 19, 2009 by walrus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz greenwood Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 The Finnish "Hakaristi" was replaced by the roundel, after the peace treaty was signed with the Soviet Union. The insignia change was made permanent on April 1 1945. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousFO98 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Thought that might be the case Daz- thanks for confirming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz greenwood Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 (edited) In the Wings of Fame article on the Finnish Air Force it states that by Sept 15 1948 HLeLv 23, PleLv 43 and 45 had been disbanded, and remaining squadrons were gradually re-equipped with Bf-109 G's, which served into the next decade. And there is a pic to support of this of a Bf-109G (MT-456) of HLeLv 33 at Utti dated August 1953. I have a lot of reference for the Finnish Air Force as I have more than just a passing interest. (The oldest independent Air Force in the world). HTH. Cheers Daz Edited July 19, 2009 by daz greenwood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heraldcoupe Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 intersestingly the article states that the 1947 treaty forbade any weapons of German construction so i am assuming this meant new aircraft hence the 1948 date is okay for the Bf109 ? The Finns were flying Bf-109Gs until March 1954, Cheers, Bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Surface detail looks quite nice, as far as I can make out. I have to admit that, especially in 1/72, I'm much more concerned with what the outside looks like rather than the inside, so shortcomings in cockpit detail don't really matter too much to me. My first one won't be using kit decals, so that's not too much of an issue either but I really fancy all of these schemes for the future. All in all it looks like a pretty fair replacement for the old kit to me, and at a pocket money price too! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzy Jase Posted July 19, 2009 Author Share Posted July 19, 2009 Seeing as there is so much interest in this kit, would anyone like me to put my current build on hold and build this OOB? I want to make it as a luftwaffe subject, so would anyone like to swap the decal sheet for a set of German markings? Or even swap the Finnish markings for a set of balkenkreuz? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The wooksta V2.0 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I'm probably going to be shot down but I think Airfix have shot themselves in the foot with this one. Yeah, all the nice decals and extras but the lack of a cockpit interior? Hell, the old Hasegawa G has more detail than this! Yeah, you could buy a cockpit interior for it but for the same price as the kit you could buy the Academy G which has a very comprehensive interior. Still, if it means that the vile old G-6 tooling gets scrapped (or sold to Eastern Express) it's probably worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyB Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Have to agree with "The Wooksta" about the lack of cockpit detail,there's no excuse for that in a 2009 new tooled kit. Just my tuppence worth. Bill............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 No excuse for selling a kit with out of register decals these days as well. I really thought airfix had, or were going to solve that, looks like not. I must admit I check an airfix kit now before buying, if bad decals then it goes back. To be honest they should really sell thing fit for purpose and it could be argued these are not. Julien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Millman Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 I received this one at the same time as the XIX but comparing the two the 109 seems more toy-like - as though designed from a slightly different perspective. I compared it to a Fine Molds G-6 and noted that the wingtips are a slightly different shape, the rear fuselage skinnier and slightly shallower and the surface detail much simplified. The Airfix fuselage is a touch longer too. The drop tank/bomb fairing is a rather crude blob with two spigots integral with the lower wing - straight from the 1960's. The cannon gondola are very crude by comparison with the FM - I actually think they were better in the old Airfix kit! In fact I think the new kit is very much like the old kit in many ways - as though it was designed to replicate exactly the original parts breakdown and options. There are two canopy options though. In mine the decal registration is OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzy Jase Posted July 21, 2009 Author Share Posted July 21, 2009 No pictures yet, but I'm halfway through building the kit. (Built, primed, pre-shaded.) I'm building it a lot quicker than I normally would to get it finished, but I have to say it goes together very well. The only filler I have needed is where I have carelessly cut the fuselage halves from the sprue and a little where the wing assembly joins the rear of the engine. There is very little fine detail on the kit, but that's allowing me to make it faster. I'm using the more bubble-like canopy and there is a piece of framing on the top that goes from left to right that I don't think should be there. Still not decided what to do about the decals. It's only the Balkenkreuz that I can't use because of the register problem. I may nick some from another kit for now. I will get some paint on it and post up some pics in the next few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzy Jase Posted July 21, 2009 Author Share Posted July 21, 2009 Out of interest, what are the alternatives and how do they compare? Old Airfix Italeri Fine Molds Hasegawa Academy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 The "bubble" type of canopy is called the Erla Haube style, but I'd be interested to see a pic of it if you can? Looks like the decals are hit & miss as to whether they're in register, and the seat versus cockpit thing is a bit of a let-down. It'd be interesting to hear what Airfix had in mind when tooling this one. A quick & easy build of a popular subject to get the kids involved in the hobby, or a masterpiece of model engineering. If it was the former, it looks like they may have succeeded, if the latter, the comments so far seem to suggest it's not such a resounding success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzy Jase Posted July 21, 2009 Author Share Posted July 21, 2009 (edited) The "bubble" type of canopy is called the Erla Haube style, but I'd be interested to see a pic of it if you can? Looks like the decals are hit & miss as to whether they're in register, and the seat versus cockpit thing is a bit of a let-down.It'd be interesting to hear what Airfix had in mind when tooling this one. A quick & easy build of a popular subject to get the kids involved in the hobby, or a masterpiece of model engineering. If it was the former, it looks like they may have succeeded, if the latter, the comments so far seem to suggest it's not such a resounding success. The canopy is all masked up and sprayed at the moment, so I don't think you would see much from a current photo of the model. If you look at the photo below you can see that the top of the canopy is a single clear piece. On the kit there is a cross-beam about halfway along. Pretty much exactly where the armour meets the top of the canopy. Also, the sides of the kit canopy do not slope down at the rear like they do in the photo below. It's got to be aimed as "A quick & easy build of a popular subject to get the kids involved in the hobby". It's too toy-like to be anything else. I'm enjoying building it up quickly and I'm looking forward to my first attempt at mottling. It's sparked an interest in 109's and I now feel the need to build a properly detailed G-6 to compare it too. But which kit to buy? Edited July 21, 2009 by Jazzy Jase Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Kohona Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 The canopy is all masked up and sprayed at the moment, so I don't think you would see much from a current photo of the model. If you look at the photo below you can see that the top of the canopy is a single clear piece. On the kit there is a cross-beam about halfway along. Pretty much exactly where the armour meets the top of the canopy. Also, the sides of the kit canopy do not slope down at the rear like they do in the photo below. It's got to be aimed as "A quick & easy build of a popular subject to get the kids involved in the hobby". It's too toy-like to be anything else. I'm enjoying building it up quickly and I'm looking forward to my first attempt at mottling. It's sparked an interest in 109's and I now feel the need to build a properly detailed G-6 to compare it too. But which kit to buy? Well, if you are sticking with 1/72, there really is only one kit to buy if you want accuracy and good detail and that is the Fine Molds kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Millman Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 "The only filler I have needed is where I have carelessly cut the fuselage halves from the sprue" Yes, I noticed on both kits that the sprue gates are molded somewhat thickly into the pieces, like limited run kits, and will require a bit of extra care when cutting. "Out of interest, what are the alternatives and how do they compare?" Touched on the Fine Molds in my post above, in direct comparison with the new Airfix kit. It is much more finely detailed. Surface detail includes latches on the inspection panels and rivets where appropriate. It is also set up to display with the engine panels open. Engine and bearers. Cowling panels, exhausts and under cowling scoop all separate parts but fit superbly. Full cockpit detail. Many small detail differences between versions incorporated by alternative or extra parts in the different kits. It gives the impression of miniature engineering whereas the Airfix kit gives the impression of just being a miniature replica. Plastic is different to. Fine Molds hard and glossy. Airfix softer and slightly textured. Remains to be seen how they compare built up and side by side - that often surprises. "But which kit to buy?" Fine Molds, undoubtedly, if you can afford them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radish Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 HobbyBoss do pocket money '109s of different types.....lots of Gs too with superb decal options. Are they accurate? Well, they're fun to build anyway and they look OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazza Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 (edited) Hi there,a quick comment...(first of many,as it 'appens....) Why does the NEW messy shitt Bf 109,seem familiar?? It LOOKS almost like the OLD model,especially with the "crudeness" of some of the parts, i.e the Underwing Mortars,& Cannon Gondolas !! What Canopy does the Airfix Bf 109 have ?? The Early,3-piece,OR the Later 2-piece "Erla Haube" ??* It LOOKS o-kay,i suppose..... Maybe,i'll get one,or two.... cheers Bazza. * P.S i just had another look,obviously BOTH canopy options.....That's alright then.... Edited July 28, 2009 by Bazza Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The wooksta V2.0 Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Not got the Fine moulds kit, but it's supposedly the best of the lot. A Model do a pretty need copy of it. Hasegawa let down by the u/c track which is too wide and the tailplanes which seem too square. Academy's kit is seemingly a clunkier copy of the Hasegawa one. Italeri's isn't worth having for spares. Awful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzy Jase Posted July 21, 2009 Author Share Posted July 21, 2009 Right, in the name of research I'm gonna buy the Fine Molds kit to compare it to. I've been having a look online and it seems if I want the Erla Haube canopy I need to buy the Finnish Kit FL-14. Eagle Cals do some nice looking decals for a German aircraft with this canopy. I also see that Fine molds does a nice looking PE set for the kit, a metal pitot and gun barrels. Quickboost does some exhausts. I'm tempted to do it all, but then I've got a 1/72 109 that cost £50! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Have to agree with "The Wooksta" about the lack of cockpit detail,there's no excuse for that in a 2009 new tooled kit.Just my tuppence worth. Bill............ Looking at the thread for the Spit XIX that seems to have a decent interior..............so why not the 109? But I also agree that in this scale the exterior is more important. But then again we are modellers, how many slices of 20 thou card does it take to make the office look busy? But then again also the stickes choice is inspired. But again then also............. b****r, my mind is flipping more often than an omlette in an omlette flipping contest. Acid test for me 'would I buy one'? yes 'do I mind the lack of an interior'? dunno Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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