Yet another Messerschmitt 109! **Finished!!**

[fredk]

I think this version wasn't even a paper design concept but A-Model made this kit;


Typical short run type pieces, plenty of flash. I think some parts will be replaced with better ones from the spares;

[JohnRatzenberger]

At least it has a comfortably wider gear track than it's land-based version ...

[fredk]

Too true John.
Not much will get done on this too fast. Some of the parts are unusable and I'll need to get resin replacements from Hannants. I think its going to take all of the GB time just cleaning the flash off the parts!
There are the bits to make up a complete wheeled 109F and the floats are just added in. The main decals are for a T with the radio code letters as per the box art added in as an extra sheet

[Migrant]

Some of the parts are unusable and I'll need to get resin replacements from Hannants

Are the floats usable? If so, it might be quicker/cheaper just to buy a complete new 109F kit (Zvezda, Fine Molds, Italeri etc).

[fredk]

I'm sorely tempted to use another airframe. I have a couple of Fs spare.

The floats need plenty of work too. They have strakes on them which will be lost once I start filling and sanding down, I drilled small holes at their ends to mark their positions and lengths. I'll replace them with microstrip.

One side of the lower wing was just over 1mm short, the gap was filled with a piece of plastic card.
The radiator/flap parts are chronic, a bad fit, even fettling them has them far too thick at the rear.

The prop and spinner need replacing as does the supercharger intake. A replacement canopy, exhaust stubs

I'm off to see if I can find one of my other 109Fs

[Kitaholic]

Brave man tackling an early Amodel, looking good so far

[fredk]

I dug out an old Frog kit to use it instead of the original kit airframe. There is just so much wrong with it.
The Frog box says 109F but its actually a G in there. Did Frog make a G version?

A few slices with the scalpel gets rid of some G features and fillers will cover up the rest.



A few parts from the A-Model can be used on the Frog, where it doesn't have a part.

[martin hale]

Looks like you have made the right decision to go with the FROG kit.

Martin

[fredk]

The Frog kit has problems of its own. I'm going back to the original kit.
No modelling for a few days as my main angle light's bulb fitting broke. I'm waiting for parts to fix it. I can't use the secondary light or jury-rig another as I had to turn the main power off to my modelling corner.

[fredk]

After a lay off of almost two weeks I'm finding it hard to get started again.

Today the fuselage halves were joined, and loads of filler applied to the joint;


I have to fill the rear wheel well and add a ventral fillet to there and maybe an extension to the rudder.

Having sanded the floats smooth I'm using Slaters Microstrip to make new strakes on them;

[fredk]

The strakes are done. I have some plastic card with footplate embossed on it so a few pieces were cut and put on the tops of the floats. The float legs attach to the wing by a simple butt joint. I drilled both parts and put a brass rod peg in the leg.


Wings and fuselage together. I wouldn't say there is a gap at the wing roots; its a bloomin gorge.

I'll start filling that with CA/talc filler.

[fredk]

Nearly forgot rudders on the floats;

I had to make them from plastic card as the originals were mostly flash

An extension and trim tabs to the main rudder, with a ventral fin extension;


Up on its floats now;


The original canopy is useless, I've had to rootle through my spares to find bits to fit. I need to finish fettling the windscreen. Put in some seat belts, the main canopy. Radio aerial mast. I reckon the first coats of paint will go on this evening.

[fredk]

Blue on underneath and a first coat of green on top;

[Clashcityrocker]

Looking very nice.

Nigel

[fredk]

Thanks Nigel.
Not too far being finished; decals, details and the bottoms of the floats to be painted yet. Just under 8 hours to get those done.