Messerschmitt Bf 110 E/E2 Trop

[Paul A H]

I'd been contemplating getting Airfix's new Bf 110 kit since it was released, so when I received a review copy of the E/E2 version, I decided to build it straight away. For a run-down of what's in the box, accompanied by pictures of the sprues, take a look at my review.

As there doesn't appear to be anything unconventional about this kit, getting stuck in is a straightforward business. The large cockpit is pretty good, with nine parts going into its construction. There is no sidewall detail, however, so I decided to add some of my own using a few bits of strip styrene; nothing fancy, but an easy way to improve on what is in the box.

Once the cockpit is primed and painted, I'll add some homemade seatbelts from Tamiya masking tape before buttoning it all up. Hopefully enough of the detail will be visible under the capacious canopy. A quick test fit of the fuselage and wings indicates that fit and engineering is very good indeed; little filler will be required for this model. The lower starboard wing does appear to have a slight warp, but fitting the upper wing pulls everything back into shape again.

I've already got an idea for a simple diorama to display this model too. Just need to get my hands on a kubelwagen...

Edited November 21, 2010 by Paul A H

[Martian]

I've just bought this kit myself so I'm very interested to see how this build turns out.

Martin

Edited November 17, 2010 by martin hale

[Mike]

Excellent!

[Paul A H]

Right then. Having jazzed up the cockpit a little with some strip styrene and a couple of other bits and pieces, I primed everything with Alclad's lovely new black primer. This formed the nice, dark base that I wanted to use to try and retain some shadows in the cockpit. I then sprayed everything with Tamiya Neutral Grey, highlighting here and there to get a more interesting finish. I made some basic seatbelts from Tamiya masking tape, painted with Tamiya Buff acrylic, then fitted the seats, control column and ammo boxes. It might be fairly basic, but it all looks neat and tidy and should look the part once the canopy is on.

Next step will be to join the fuselage sides and then prepare the wings and undercarriage bays for assembly.

[robw_uk]

coming on nicely..... nice little bit of added detail in the cockpit

[Moofles]

Could the common modler use some of the PE sets out there, to further jazz up the cockpit, or failing that even use the resin cockpit tub, i know they are for the Fujimi and Italeri kits, but with a bit of love and care im certain you could get it to fit.

[FalkeEins]

....a few more MG drums would have come in handy in the kit...they were stored in racks along the fuselage wall. Those on the floor are meant to represent the forward-firing armament....

[Mike]

....a few more MG drums would have come in handy in the kit...they were stored in racks along the fuselage wall. Those on the floor are meant to represent the forward-firing armament....

Have you got a pic to illustrate? The industrious modeller could probably build a few up

[Paul A H]

Could the common modler use some of the PE sets out there, to further jazz up the cockpit, or failing that even use the resin cockpit tub, i know they are for the Fujimi and Italeri kits, but with a bit of love and care im certain you could get it to fit.

I don't see why not - if at first it doesn't fit... make it fit!

Right, progress tonight. I've got the fuselage buttoned up now. As with many of the new Airfix kits, the fit is great - tighter than two coats of paint, in fact The cockpit insert needed a couple of swipes with a sanding stick to get the fuselage to join up really tightly. The wings join up with the fuselage beautifully too; I can only see a couple of places where a tiny smear of filler will be needed. The undercarriage bay inserts are nicely detailed and drop into their rightful place without any trouble. The fit around the tail area is not quite so good, and a little bit of filler will be required just to close up some seams.

I think I'll leave the canopy off for painting and fix it in place at the end... it's got a hole at the end and I don't want paint or varnish getting in and spoiling it. Speaking of paint, I'm a Tamiya Acrylic user, so I'll be stuck mixing my own paint shades again. Hope there aren't any Luftwaffe experts watching...

Edited November 18, 2010 by Paul A H

[Mike]

Blimey Paul, you're not hanging round with this one, are you?

[Paul A H]

I don't know how to take my time! That's why I build 1:72 kits - if I built 1:48, I'd run out of space in a year!

[rowmk9]

I found the fit of the tail a bit awkward too on my Airfix Bf110 build. That said, this one is coming on nicely

Edited November 18, 2010 by rowmk9

[FalkeEins]

Have you got a pic to illustrate? The industrious modeller could probably build a few up

handbook drawing from Vasco Classic volume

Edited November 18, 2010 by FalkeEins

[Paul A H]

I have glued in place the tops of the wings now - and they fit beautifully. I only used the smallest smidging of filler here and there, but I have to say these new Airfix kits are very well engineered and the fit is pretty good. The 110 has also received a couple of coats of primer and some pre-shading ready for the top coat of colour. I've painted the engine cowlings with Tamiya gloss white, but they are not fixed in place yet.

Can't wait to get some colour on and see how she looks... but then I guess it will be time to mask the canopy

[Paul A H]

The basic colours have been now been applied to the airframe. I've used Tamiya acrylics througout, mixed up to a recipe I found on Britmodeller somewhere. Hopefully the pre- and post-shading shows up well-enough but doesn't look overdone. I chose to paint my model as the E2 version with the white lower wingtips, engine nacelles and fuselage band, which I think looks a bit more interesting than the plain vanilla RLM 78/79 version.

Need to get some gloss varnish on there next, then the decals...

...and then the canopy!

[eng]

Wow thats lovely, looks like you might just have swayed my decision on whether or not to aquire one of these!

Can't wait to see the next in-progress report.

Eng

[Mike]

That's looking really good Paul

[MikeR]

Looks very smart! The white areas do add that little extra "something".

Mike.

[robw_uk]

coming on nicely Paul... do like the ME110 so nice to see the Airfix one building up nicely... tempted to add to my stash for the Malta GB set for 2012 (guess I will have to source some markings for a version that fly over Malta tho)

Edited November 22, 2010 by robw_uk

[galgos]

Think carefully before using the Airfix decals, they are truly terrible.

Max

[Carts]

Looking very handsome in its Desert colours,Top Job!

[Paul A H]

Think carefully before using the Airfix decals, they are truly terrible.

Max

Thanks for the heads up. I've given the '110 a luxurious coat of lovely Tamiya X-22 and, with a good slosh of Microset and a few dabs of Klear, the decals have gone down ok. For anyone who hasn't built the kit, the decals are well-printed, but the decal film used, whilst nice and thin, is quite matt and a little bit fragile. I've applied most of the bigger decals and have only broken two. Overall they are not the best, but can be used with a degree of care and attention.

I've masked and painted the canopy now. It was a dull job, but hopefully it will be worth it!

[Paul A H]

As described above, the 110 has received a nice, shiny coat of gloss varnish and some decals have been slapped on here and there. I've also fixed the canopy in place - hopefully it will look ok once the masking is removed. If this thread suddenly goes quiet, you'll know why...

[dr_gn]

Very neat job!

[Mike]

Looks like it'll turn into a stunner - nice to see it being put to some use straight away