BF-109 G-2 TROP

[KennyX]

I’m going to tell you straight-up, the radiator flaps were an absolute bitch to get right. That isn’t necessarily an indictment against the kit, it’s probably just me, and it’s okay because I got them in how I wanted them.

Looking crispy good Kenny!

What comes to the radiator flaps... I just say one thing... Bondic !

When trying to glue, especially smaller pieces, I use Bondic as a "helping hand".
I put a tiny "blob" of Bondic on a spot on the piece, keep it still with a tweezer or fingers, light it up with a UV LED lamp (that is provided in a Bondic starter kit), just for 2-3 seconds. And then the piece is like "frozen" in place, and you can add glue or anything to make it stable. Bondic is not really good as a glue, that I have noticed, but to be a helping hand (and as glass on gauges in instrument panels) just excellent.

Here I put a small Bondic blob behind the pedal, some UV light on for a couple of seconds and the pedals were stable. Then some CA glue that I could really easily "target" exactly where I wanted, without shaking hands or other hassle when glueing small parts...




I have told it couple of times before on these SPAM pages, and I do it again... Invest those ~10 bucks in Bondic, it's definitely worth it!


- Kari

Kari,

Thank you!!

You know it’s interesting that you used the pedals from a Gustav in your example of how handy Bondic is because I immediately remembered how difficult it was for me to position the pedals in my Gustav just how I wanted them. It wasn’t easy. And you’ve used bondic for other interesting applications too, I’ve seen. I think I’m going to give it a try! I appreciate the recommendation!

[jkim]

Kenny... just a thought. I remember your difficulty in mounting the small braces for the supercharger intake filter and now you've mentioned that you had a hard time putting on the pedals in your cockpit. Are you using old CA glue? I've found that CA glue loses its effectiveness over time. I only buy the smallest bottle and replace it after a couple of months, even if there is some left over. I can use the leftover for non-attachment purposes such as seam filling.

[KennyX]

Kenny... just a thought. I remember your difficulty in mounting the small braces for the supercharger intake filter and now you've mentioned that you had a hard time putting on the pedals in your cockpit. Are you using old CA glue? I've found that CA glue loses its effectiveness over time. I only buy the smallest bottle and replace it after a couple of months, even if there is some left over. I can use the leftover for non-attachment purposes such as seam filling.

Nosir! I’m using brand new CA glue. However- I can indeed grab a new bottle from a different manufacturer and see if that makes a difference. Duly noted and thank you!

[speedgraflex]

[jkim]

Man, I don't know about that Gator's Grip. I've got that exact bottle: Thin Blend and it has been the worst adhesive for me. I can't even get two flat PE instrument panel pieces to stick. As a comparison... I've had better luck using Alclad Aqua Gloss and that's just a clear coat not an adhesive.

[speedgraflex]

Man, I don't know about that Gator's Grip. I've got that exact bottle: Thin Blend and it has been the worst adhesive for me. I can't even get two flat PE instrument panel pieces to stick. As a comparison... I've had better luck using Alclad Aqua Gloss and that's just a clear coat not an adhesive.

I like it; however maybe the PE panels you reference are the coated/painted/textures in vogue with Eduard? I have been using it with unpainted alcohol swabbed photo etch on resin and styrene on spaceships, so perhaps I am wrong recommending it for a/c (although I believe Thomas stated he used Gator Grip on his Jumo interior, maybe it was regular not thin though). If so, apologies.

I know on the Trimaster white metal and steel PE I used Canopy glue and loved it. Slow to set, strong when cured — after 12 hours minimum. It’s definitely not for compressed building times.

Also KennyX just go here:

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/viewtop ... 7&start=60

Wisdom!!

[KennyX]

Thank you so much for the recommendations!

I am currently in New Orleans with my wife. My sisters in-law are looking after the bébés for us so we could get a night away together after a stressful couple of days. We bought a new SUV yesterday, work has been hell for me this week, and we haven’t had a night away together since Vance and Cece were born a year ago. Holy cow how time flies... I’ve been eating duck confeit and drinking ghost pepper infused tequila all evening with my wife. We’re not loaded, but you know, we’re pretty rosy-cheeked. I’ll be back to the work bench tomorrow night and at some point I’ll pick up some of that glue to give it a try. I am happy to report that after the glue cured -checked those flaps again before we left today- they’re exactly where they need to be and they’re solid. I will say that I don’t necessarily like pre-painting stuff like those flaps and then attaching them.

[speedgraflex]

Thank you so much for the recommendations!

I am currently in New Orleans with my wife. My sisters in-law are looking after the bébés for us so we could get a night away together after a stressful couple of days. We bought a new SUV yesterday, work has been hell for me this week, and we haven’t had a night away together since Vance and Cece were born a year ago. Holy cow how time flies... I’ve been eating duck confeit and drinking ghost pepper infused tequila all evening with my wife. We’re not loaded, but you know, we’re pretty rosy-cheeked. I’ll be back to the work bench tomorrow night and at some point I’ll pick up some of that glue to give it a try. I am happy to report that after the glue cured -checked those flaps again before we left today- they’re exactly where they need to be and they’re solid. I will say that I don’t necessarily like pre-painting stuff like those flaps and then attaching them.

Thanks for your post, KennyX. Have a great trip—and look forward to your return tomorrow. All the best to you, your wife and family!

[mustang1989]

Thank you so much for the recommendations!

I am currently in New Orleans with my wife. My sisters in-law are looking after the bébés for us so we could get a night away together after a stressful couple of days. We bought a new SUV yesterday, work has been hell for me this week, and we haven’t had a night away together since Vance and Cece were born a year ago. Holy cow how time flies... I’ve been eating duck confeit and drinking ghost pepper infused tequila all evening with my wife. We’re not loaded, but you know, we’re pretty rosy-cheeked. I’ll be back to the work bench tomorrow night and at some point I’ll pick up some of that glue to give it a try. I am happy to report that after the glue cured -checked those flaps again before we left today- they’re exactly where they need to be and they’re solid. I will say that I don’t necessarily like pre-painting stuff like those flaps and then attaching them.

It's always good to get away for a little and "get loose". I haven't been to N.O. in 13 years and it wasn't for R&R. What a dang mess that was and it's good to see it bouncing back and recovering the way it is.
On a modeling note......I've been eyeballin' that Tamiya G-6 that recently came out and that's one sweet kit. May have to pick that one up.

Looking forward to your continued progress on this beauty.

[KennyX]

Mr. Mustang,

My pal Larry is an engineer and he was brought down there after Katrina. Man oh man. Said he never wanted to see anything like that again as long as he lived. Apparently it was even worse in Biloxi. The casino my wife was working at at the time was nearly destroyed.

I like New Orleans. Not so much for the partying or the complete absence of open container laws, but for the stuff tourists don’t get to see too much, like mid city, uptown, the zoo... I generally avoid the French Quarter, Bourbon St., and so forth except during off-hours. Cafe Beignet on Bourbon St. can actually be a very peaceful place at 9:30 in the morning.

As a resident of South Louisiana, I think we need to look at Holland, and Amsterdam, and replicate what they’re doing over there to control things like floods. We also need to look into better ways of replenishing the wetlands. I like fishing out there and it’s disappearing

Anyway, here’s last night’s work. Nothing exciting, just some nice fills which will get sanded later this evening: