SPA Modeler

Hi Bruce,

Regarding the markings on the tail fin... you may have stumbled on a pattern that I was not aware of. So I've looked over a bunch of K-4 photos and lo and behold... there are a number of machines that have light colored markings on the tail fin, most notable around the vertical joint between the rudder and tail fin.







There are just as many examples of machines with no such markings. Lacking any other information besides a catalogue of photos, it's my belief that this was a common area of failure and that repairs were sealed with putty/paint. Not a standardized thing but simply an as-needed repair than many K-4's were afflicted with. I would base my painting on the photo references of 265 first and foremost and use the other examples for any speculative choices in areas which the photos of 265 don't show. As for color, I'm not sure but I've heard these puttied areas to be described as a reddish brown, light grey or light blue (such RLM 76).

I hope that helps!

Gents, thanks for your encouragement and support and thank you, John for your thoughts, visuals and clarity. I spent the day working on an illustration project, deliberately keeping away from work on this, with two key exceptions: I ordered decals, and I ordered Aires resin wheels. The decals are the ones I posted earlier so it is a lead pipe cinch that these will work; and I obviously need spares, anyway, so that will help me, and I also added the Aires resin detail parts because the wheels are an area that ought to be improved.

Sounds like a good plan Bruce!

It’s always good to have spare decals on hand. You never know when you’re going to need them.

Those Eagle editions decals should do the trick. They bypass any possible mis-registration issue by separating the white portion of the decal from the black. I don't like the thickness of two decal layers but it is pretty smooth on that tail fin so it shouldn't be a problem.

I've always like the K-4 Black 15...

Everything is looking great Bruce! I love your paint work.

I could possibly have supplied you with adequate decals for the swastikas but I got back to this thread too late. Also, I'm wondering about those wheels; you could've saved yourself a bit of cash. After all, you did say you were going to build this OOB at the beginning, but hey, this is your build. Don't mind me. I'm just thrilled to be following along with this and watching it all come together. This even looks better than anything I've done on any Me-109's.

Bring it home Bruce! This thread is so exciting!

Thanks, gents. Sincerely. I was so set on finishing by Sunday but I checked the oils I am using and even with an acrylic hardener things are still in a delicate state. Not to worry though. Come Monday I intend to UV Superflat Clear every painted surface, then I am going to flip her over to weather the metal plates.

Mark, I follow your painting techniques so closely, because your work is always fine tuned to the scale itself. A year of watching you work is its own master class. What I realized is how far I need to go and practice to gain the confidence that you have. Ditto others here as well. Modelcrazy, Brent, Carlos, John, Torben, Marius, Stuart, Tom, Mike, Clint!

Moderating Droid Mostrich, let me know if not appropriate to display.

Bruce, please, all the members in here are well educated in history. No need to even think about that.

mostrich wrote:Bruce, please, all the members in here are well educated in history. No need to even think about that.

what the Droid said!