Chip's "Ace" build...Doing Adolf's Emil.×××DNF×××

[Molly-new]

Continuing my plan to build as many of my Airfix "WWII Aircraft of the Aces" collection as possible, my next build will be the Bf109E flown by General Leutenant Adolf Galland:



He was the highest scoring Luftwaffe ace in Western Europe during WWII, with 104 aerial combat victories. This kit represents the Messerschmitt Bf109E that he flew whilst Kommodore of JG26 in December 1940.

The kit is fairly basic;



and is covered in rivets, as is typical of these early "Aces" kits:



Nothing that a belt sander can't sort out.

Instructions are nicely laid out;



just the box decal scheme means that all the underwing stores are destined for the spares box.



This is my first attempt at a 109 and I am looking forward to starting it, especially with 2 more in the pipeline.

[DazDaMan]

I built that kit many moons ago. No longer have the model, sadly, but I do have the later boxing in a slightly different scheme.

[Chris]

They sure loved rivets in the old days.

[Molly-new]

Finally made a start on this by painting up the cockpit and pilot, as per the norm:



Also made a start on the propeller.

[fredk]

Mind the canopy in that kit. Its undersized and doesn't fit well. Usually a slip of plastcard at the instrument panel end makes it fit better. Some canopies are too narrow as well and need strips of plasticard along the tops cockpit walls as well.

[K5083]

I love your whole Aces project and the way you seem to make it work with a group build almost every month.

Was Adolf's Emil an E-3 or an E-4? I've read that cockpits were painted RLM 02 grey-green through the E-3, and then RLM 66 like yours from the E-4 onwards.

August

[Molly-new]

Mind the canopy in that kit. Its undersized and doesn't fit well. Usually a slip of plastcard at the instrument panel end makes it fit better. Some canopies are too narrow as well and need strips of plasticard along the tops cockpit walls as well.

Thanks for the heads up Fred, I have just done a dry fit and yes, it is an awful fit. Annoyingly from all the other 109 kits that I have none will fit or are the wrong style required. I will therefore have to break out the plastic card, so much for an easy build.

Was Adolf's Emil an E-3 or an E-4? I've read that cockpits were painted RLM 02 grey-green through the E-3, and then RLM 66 like yours from the E-4 onwards.

August

I have discovered that it was an E-3, so you are correct in spotting my colour error. To be honest I just painted it Panzergrey as I was using it at the time and it looked about right from research pictures on tinternet.

[fredk]

If you want to go the extra; drill a tiny hole in the starboard lower corner of the windscreen and glue in a piece of hss [heat stretched sprue] about 8mm long, about equal inside/outside, for Galland's telescopic sight.

According to my reference book; the Airfix markings for Galland's machine are for his E4/N

[Molly-new]

According to my reference book; the Airfix markings for Galland's machine are for his E4/N

I came across this website and took the details from this: http://www.eduard.com/blog/royal-class- ... -markings/;

It also mentions the ZFR-4 telescope, which I will attempt to fit following your advice.

[Molly-new]

Slowly plodding along with this one. The fuselage has been put together with only one area of wing root needing the attention of some filler (brought on by my over-exuberant sanding):



This has now been filled and scrap plastic card has been added to raise the profile of the canopy:

[Molly-new]

Progress has continued at an extremely slow rate due to having the house re-carpeted, but this is where we stand at the moment:



The construction is complete ready for the canopy to be masked and fitted prior to spraying the undercoat. This is where things get ugly........

Annoyingly, having dropped the canopy on the floor, I managed to "run over" it in my stupid office chair. I cannot believe that for two GB's running I have managed to do the same clumsy thing twice. So much for learning from my mistakes.



I know that none of my other kits have a canopy to fit, so the plan is to get it painted up and address the canopy problem at a later date (or when my temper has calmed significantly to approach it).

[lancfan]

Chip, I have spare Matchbox 109E & Heller 109B canopies, any use?


David.

[Molly-new]

Thanks David, PM sent.

[PaulBradley]

Aaargh - I hate it when that happens!

And you bought a new carpet monster - that's asking for trouble.....!

[Chris]

That is a bad break, sorry it happened to your kit.