1/48 Airfix Bf-109F

[speedgraflex]

This is an exciting build, Carlos. I am learning a lot about decisions from your choices, in particular adding plastic not putty to fix corrections. This is an important lesson for me, and I look forward to the results.

Question: how do you glue shims/corrections in place? Are you using Tamiya cement and how are handling it? I am trying to learn "neatness," with gluing, so any advice? I tend to foul up surfaces when I try to create a good bond. Thanks in advance.

[Stuart]

Great Progress Stik - Those joins are looking good.

[Stikpusher]

Bruce and Stuart, thank you.

Bruce, on the shims, I am mostly working with Humbrol liquid cement. I have tendency to use a bit more than needed, which ends up on the surrounding surfaces. I want the repair plastic to melt into the gap and bond with the surrounding plastic. So I don't worry about the excess glue because sanding will clean that up anyways. Using styrene is my preferred option when there are large prounced gaps and more traditional methods of putty or CA will likely not be durable enough to survive future handling, clean up, etc. due to the location of the gap.

[speedgraflex]

Hi Carlos!

Thank you so much for your information, truly appreciate it. I always follow closely the moves you are making with each project, and definitely have learned a great deal.

What is most cool about this project in particular -- the choice to build a straight forward kit without aftermarket. I believe I could benefit greatly by following along a similar path on a project. The Tamiya Dornier Do may be the kit to build that way (with the exception of the AM exhausts that were included with the purchase, these look too good not to use).

I was thinking about doing a sixties early seventies build like the Aurora Moonbus using bottle paints, hobby knife and tube cement some time next year, probably an American or British subject, but it's tough for me to set the Luftwaffe subjects aside right now.

I was really excited to see your recent vehicle purchase as well! Are you going to add this to the plane to create a diorama?

Cheers!

[Stikpusher]

Thanks Bruce. It feels that in today's modeling world, it's very hard not to use after market. There is just SO much of it available. And in my cases it is far easier to use than modifiying kit parts or scratching up your own. I have that same Tamiya Do-335 in my stash, and yes, it really needs no help, although the AM exhausts that just happened to come with yours are not something you should leave off. Those exhausts are probably the best out there that I've ever seen. Great stuff.

Funny that you mention doing an older kit in that style. Our IPMS has an occasional monthly theme of "I'm a kid again" where kits are encouraged to be built in just that manner. And I have a few older kits in my stash that I am thinking of building up that way for my grand newphew. He loves planes and I have better versions of the same aircraft in my stash for my own collection purposes. I have given him some of my older builds that my niece and her husband hung from his room ceiling.

And yes, I am thinking of doing a little vignette scene with this 109 and the Kubelwagen and figures, along with perhaps some other odds and ends. Damn that white rabbit!

[speedgraflex]

There is nothing better than hanging models from the ceiling!



Your grand nephew is a lucky fella to have you around to build planes and encourage his dreams!

[Stikpusher]

My room as a kid had lots of models hanging up...

You should really check out Brookhurst Hobbies in person sometime. They have lots of great stuff suspended from the ceiling. I think my favorite that they have hanging is a "combat box" of 1/72 B-17Gs in proper formation, positioning, spacing, etc. all done up in the same unit markings.

Of course that gives me an idea that I would need lots of time, space and money to bring to fruition...

[speedgraflex]

[Stikpusher]

Where is that???!!!

[speedgraflex]

New England Aircraft Museum, Windsor Locks, CT