1/48 Airfix Bf-109F

[Stuart]

Thank you Bruce. I think I have the most fun when I do just like this one. Some improvement to the basic kit that I can dream up and do with what I have on hand, but still keeping it close to what was in the box. I really think that the old school IPMS Out Of Box category is the most challenging to do with older kits. Mind you, that allows literally for just what came in the box and nothing more. One can modify kit parts by thinning, hollowing out, shaping, etc. But no AM or scratch additions are allowed. One can use the sprues themselves for add ons such as antenna wire, or the instruction sheet paper to make a seat harness, but that is about the extent. I am not quite going that route here, but...

I agree fully, I really like building OOB and the more I work (or fight) with AM the less I'm convinced it's worth it, especially if your aim in building is to have fun rather than accuracy. Mind you as in all things there is some good things about AM - Decals are a must most times for old kits, and PE ip's and belts can be really useful (although I use a lot of paper and decal ip's in 1/72).

Cheers

Stuart

[Stikpusher]

Thanks Stik - alas it's our last full day today, we're off home tomorrow.

I can really recommend the new tooled bf109E that came out a few years back, that was a brilliantly fun kit to build - But I agree they've made some cracking good kits over the years. I'm still finding my feet in quarter scale, but I'm really looking forward to building the Hurricane.

I think that I have at least three Emils in my stash currently. But what is one more? And I look at Airfix like Monogram. Great old kits back in the day, and now their new tool kits are just as good as anything from Tamigawa, but at a more affordable price. Cracking indeed!

I agree fully, I really like building OOB and the more I work (or fight) with AM the less I'm convinced it's worth it, especially if your aim in building is to have fun rather than accuracy. Mind you as in all things there is some good things about AM - Decals are a must most times for old kits, and PE ip's and belts can be really useful (although I use a lot of paper and decal ip's in 1/72).

Cheers

Stuart

Yes it's a fine line between building to one side or the other. If you open the box and see that the kit is not what you see at the finish line, well then it's off to whatever source and method you prefer to dress up that kit. But then that can snowball and you add and add and add until it becomes obsessive and you really have to wonder what you've gotten yourself into. And then the project never seems to get finished. I guess we all have to find that balance point for ourselves on each project.

[speedgraflex]

Choosing aftermarket feels like...

[Medicman71]

Someone say aftermarket??

[Stikpusher]

Someone say aftermarket??

NO!!!!





Well at least nothing more than decals...

[Stikpusher]

Ok, the last progress shots of the cockpit before I started gluing things in place. A topcoat of Humbrol Matt Clear, some light dry brushing with Testors square bottle Flat Aluminum in select spots, and then Testors Clear parts glue onto the IP dials for lenses. I also painted and glued the gun sight in place










I have the fuselage glued together now.. time for seam clean up and rescribing...

[Stikpusher]

Yesterday after my last photos, I glued the fuselage halves and wings together. Today I cleaned up the seams and scribed in lost detail.









Unfortunately, the edges of the the chin scoop had dings along the centerline seem edge, so I added some strip styrene that I will sand in smooth



I also built up some of the last sub assemblies- cowling hood and supercharger scoop, belly tank, and main wheels







Taking final shape now...



A little more seam clean up them I'll be ready to get the airframe all into one piece...

[speedgraflex]

BEAUTIFUL.

You work is so impressive, Carlos. I always learn so much from your decisions to accentuate or keep simplified structural details. I am still learning why... maybe I will always be learning 'why," lol. I was writing about why I choose a kit and think I did not quite answer the question although I wrote a lot.

Maybe you answered this earlier, but are you modeling this open cockpit—because—that cockpit turned out so darn nice!

Cheers.

[BorgR3mc0]

Looking good Stik!

[Stikpusher]

Bruce and Borg, thanks for checking in. Bruce, the cockpit will be modeled shut. The kit part is molded closed, I don't want to modify it, and I'm not searching for a vacuformed replacement. Besides, the fit of the cockpit tub into the fuselage sides is not the best. But a test fit of the closed canopy shows that part will conceal the areas where that stands out most.