SPA Modeler

Well, I finally finished this. For those of us that worry when we lose our mojo, let this be proof that it does come back. After a good 3 months of not really feeling like building anything, my motivation came back 10 fold! In the last month or two, I have built (and finished even), the last crewman for my halftrack, (see Tamiya M21 under the armor threads), 3 1/48 aircraft for my grandsons, (F-16,P-39, P-51), and now this 109. I've also recently started a 1/32 MiG-3, and haven't decided if I'll start my Hs129 or PBR next. Maybe I'll start both...

Anyway, here she is, done up as Josef Priller's ride.









I haven't built a base for it yet, so I put it on one I had made previously for a 1/48 Me109 that I gave to a friend. I may just leave it.

There are a couple things I'd change, if I was to do this one over. Primarily paint. Model Master RLM02 seems to look too much like concrete to me. I'd use a grey with bit more white/blue to it. I'd also find a better contrast to my mottle. Not much, but just enough to distinguish the different shades a bit more. Possibly even bring my blue up the fuselage sides a little higher. Also, I'd pay a bit more attention to my pics, and angle the antenna wire entering the fuselage, like it's supposed to be.

Otherwise, the kit went together exceptionally well. A little finicky where the lower wing attaches to the body, and the center seam on top was a bit pronounced, but nothing some good putty, sanding and a bit of time didn't fix.

The weakest part of the whole model, was the landing gear, (art imitates life), as the struts were thin, but the mounting points were really the issue. Not deep enough to give a good, positive, strong lock. I know this because shortly after installing them, I first broke one, then the other, just by bumping them with my arm. I would suggest, at a minimum, that you drill out the center and add a short piece of brass rod to reinforce them.

Other than a few other minor fit issues, I found this to be a well engineered and fun kit.

Thanks for looking

Seems like the landing gear of most any model 109 has the same issues in the larger scales. Your build looks good Joe. Really good!

Very nice!! It looks great!!

Nice build---camo colors seem to be off for an early war bird and I don't see any splinter-pattern.

Might I suggest the Hs129 for your next build...

Thanks Manny. Doing a bit of research, ( ), I found that Priller had his splinter pattern oversprayed with a base of RLM02, and the RLM76 ended lower on the fuselage than most France based 109s. Then a mottle of RLM70 & 71. Once I actually got done and looked at the aircraft, I realized that next time, I won't go by RLM specs and the Model Master numbers, but rather use the standard issue eyeball to match colors on photos.

Color palettes show RLM02 generally being a little more grey/blue compared to MM paints, and that the MM RLM70 & RLM71 are too close in color to use together at that scale.

Oh well. Live and learn.

The Hs129 is sitting on the bench now, prepped to begin assembly.

That's a very nice looking bird - and looks very differnet to most of the BoB era 109s I've seen - great stuff.

Interesting that he had his aircraft oversprayed.

Thanks. One reason I chose this scheme of Priller's was just that. It was different. From what I read, Pips was a wee bit of a non-conformist at times, but did it in his own way. Apparently, this aircraft had been repaired in such a way, (or maybe it was just due, nobody is really sure), that it required a repaint. It just happened to coincide with a change in paint colors and applications. Priller ordered it mottled as opposed to splintered and mottled. In this way he was being himself.

According to an interview conducted with one of the shop crew, he mentioned that when the bird was about to be painted, Priller asked how it was to be done. When shown the new directive of the irregular patches painted over the splinter, (I'm paraphrasing, since I'm at work), he pointed out that since he didn't already have the splinter, just paint the patches.

I also know that this bird was flown by him just prior to adopting the "Heart" card as a personal mark as well.

Interesting stuff - Did he get downed and captured during the battle?

Priller was never captured. He survived the war with over 100 kills prior to being put behind a desk. After the war, he managed the family brewery.\

As for being shot down, I know he was awarded a Wound Badge, but not sure of the circumstances.

OK I'm thinking of another famous luftwaffe pilot that got downed during the BoB - no matter.