SPA Modeler

Regrets I’ve Had A Few

I appreciate being part of the Spam forum as well as everyone here for their technical advice, talent and knowledge. Ultimately I am in this to do what we all do—finish a model with as much skill and integrity as possible. I care about the craft to the point that I am willing to break the norm regardless of conventions if the results are worth it. I don’t do this just to do it. I do it because I don’t see any other way for me to do it. The key phrase is “for me.” I tried to follow the conventional through line here; and I knowingly disembarked from the traditional path with a respectful nod to all modelers. I could not see myself getting good results with essentially an extremely complex paint job unless I took the pre-painting approach and basically created a Frankenstein build of what is to me a Frankenstein aircraft. There’s one piece from here, one from there and one from there and there and a few unknown painters at the unit level swabbed the late war camouflage over the factory finish.

Gonna try this again. I have a hard time with the iPad...

That is interesting insight into your thought process. Seems far more involved than mine. Not in any bad way, mind you, just so different. That is what makes this a fun (?) hobby. If I may, from someone who can barely finish a bowl of cereal, don’t overthink this. Time is limited. Keep moving forward.

So, what is next?

Thanks for your comments, Lyle. At any rate, I plan to move on scratch building the armor piece that goes behind the pilot’s head, then I will make canopy masks. That is going to happen tomorrow when I feel more relaxed. I also found a drop tank in my spares box which looks like it comes off of an Allied fighter. I made the drop tank look more like a Luftwaffe version by smoothing and flossing the ridges away from the edges. It doesn’t have the segmented “carrot appearance” of a standard drop tank but I believe there were many designs including a smooth sided version with a centrally located “belt” around the middle. At least now I have an optional enhancement for the aircraft.

I agree with Lyle. Don’t overthink the project. Keep plugging away without worrying about the technicalities of the build. Keep it simple and carry on.

speedgraflex wrote:Regrets I’ve Had A Few

I appreciate being part of the Spam forum as well as everyone here for their technical advice, talent and knowledge. Ultimately I am in this to do what we all do—finish a model with as much skill and integrity as possible. I care about the craft to the point that I am willing to break the norm regardless of conventions if the results are worth it. I don’t do this just to do it. I do it because I don’t see any other way for me to do it. The key phrase is “for me.” I tried to follow the conventional through line here; and I knowingly disembarked from the traditional path with a respectful nod to all modelers. I could not see myself getting good results with essentially an extremely complex paint job unless I took the pre-painting approach and basically created a Frankenstein build of what is to me a Frankenstein aircraft. There’s one piece from here, one from there and one from there and there and a few unknown painters at the unit level swabbed the late war camouflage over the factory finish.

I know what you are saying but not actually not correct. The 334xxx batch of K-4 were finished in the late war scheme at the factory. In all likelihood, WNr 334265, at least color scheme-wise, is how she was delivered from the Mtt. Regensburg factory, down to the Black Green spinner without a spiral.

Still unconvinced about the any advantages in this build order but I don't know what you know so maybe there is a method to the madness. All I see are areas that are going to have to painted multiple times, which is something I avoid at all costs.

As for the drop tank, I would "drop" it. Ha ha! Leave it off. If the photos of the actual aircraft showed no drop tank or rack, why put one on? Photos of the actual aircraft hold the highest precedence when it comes to references.

Thanks all for your comments and have a great night.

It's looking good Bruce! I agree that the build order isn't how I would go about it, but it's your build to it how you want. I just found out yesterday that I can't have two builds going at once it's just not for me.

Thanks so much for your thoughts, Clint! I hear ya about multiple projects. I feel the same way. All the best.

Floki wrote:It's looking good Bruce! I agree that the build order isn't how I would go about it, but it's your build to it how you want. I just found out yesterday that I can't have two builds going at once it's just not for me.

Sing it brutha! I simply do not know how some folks can do it....but they can. I tried that just a couple of years ago and took a 1 year break from the hobby because I got so overwhelmed. When I came back I scrapped all projects save for one and then I started building again....one model at a time. My hat DOES, however, go off to those that CAN multitask between two or more builds. They've definitely got a quality that I just don't possess.

Come on with it Bruce! Looking forward to more progress on this build bud.

Frankenstein

I based my comments on the profile notes, which state the engine section is from a later production block, the wings are from an earlier production block and the rear fuselage with fixed tailwheel comes from an older 109 entirely (according to the profile notes, the other pieces of the aircraft were examined and documented to make this determination). My writing was most likely unclear or at least subject to interpretation and for that I offer my apologies. The profile may or may not be correct, I grant that up front, but I started with what I could find to articulate the aircraft in color and that was what I found.

To state the obvious, my primary relationship is with the three existing photos posted on this thread. The profile and my work are subject to the challenge of criticism, which I respect, and the photos are subject to interpretation by myself and others, which I also respect. As a caveat moving forward, I acknowledge that my work will never be a perfect representation but it will be as well researched and thoughtful as my time and abilities permit.

Happy Palm Sunday!