AndrewR's Royal Yugoslav Airforce Bf-109E ***FInished***

[ShaunW]

I think you're right in that the decal technique is worth a bit more experimentation. If you can get the decal strip to match the frame lines fully then it will look better than hand painted given that you will be able to achieve nice straight frame lines. The lines on my canopy are an inconsistent mix of slightly wobbly and nicely straight and I have also found that to happen with masking tape which, on removal, sometimes lifts or chips some of the paint on the frames. I've never tried custom made masks by Eduard or other companies to see how those masks fare compared to the home made variety.

[AndrewR]

a bit more experimentation.

More experiments! Muhahahah!


Igor! Throw the switch...

[Marek]

I have found masks to be 50/50 deal. Unless you get a real nice ones by cutting edge (I think they are discontinued) and newest by Eduard, you're in the dangerous waters. Old eduard masks had an annoying tendency to straighten up on canopy curvatures and 'float' however well did I think I stuck them on. Instead of helping they actually prolong the process and exercise your abilities of scraping with toothpick. I have never tried the decal strips, I think I should looking at some of Andrew's and others' work.
Andrew, your Messie looks very good indeed.

[AndrewR]

I used the new Eduard ones on the Zero kit because the canopy gave me nightmares with the framing, just looking at it. I've also got some for the new P-40B/C.
I liked using the Zero ones, it was certainly the most relaxing canopy framing and painting ever!

When Igor finds me some more canopies, I'll have a little practice.


What's that Igor? Bells? ...

[AndrewR]

Decalling the canopy is complete.



A few bits might need trimming when dry.



The wheel cover fell off completely, fortunately while decalling on the white table, so it was easy to spot!



Next is to use a bit of satin varnish to tone down the Pledge used to set the decal strips, tidy a few loose ends up and then install all of the twiddly bits.

Nearly finished

cheers

Andrew

[ShaunW]

The framing looks neat enough from here boss. Nearly done - try not to lose the wing guns or aileron balances I've checked the modelling den since but the carpet monster has refused to give up my missing gun, which I'm more miffed about losing than the balance thingy

[AndrewR]

The framing looks neat enough from here boss. Nearly done - try not to lose the wing guns or aileron balances I've checked the modelling den since but the carpet monster has refused to give up my missing gun, which I'm more miffed about losing than the balance thingy

I painted those on the sprues, so they should be safe.
Of course I could easily lose the entire sprue on the bench at the moment It's got a bit messy* while I've been doing all these parallel GBs. Not that it was tidy before that


Cheers

Andrew

* As in "The Moehne Dam was a bit messy after 617 Sqn visited".

[AndrewR]

The End is Nigh!

No, not the world, the build...

After a couple of days with lots of real life intervening, I finally got a good modelling session in this evening, with work done on the Emil, and the little Kettenkrad and the Tempest pilot.

There were several small items, such as guns, aerials, pitot tubes etc to stick on tonight. They were tricky because of those sprue gates and the brittleness of the plastic.



I managed to get everything stuck on, with the exception of the aerial, which snapped within seconds of me starting to (very gingerly) cut it off the sprue. It was replaced with stretched sprue.



Nearly everything is done now. Another coat of satin varnish will be needed to dull down areas around the canopy, and so I will have to carefully mask off the transparency again.



I'll also need to paint the aerial, and the gun barrels, which for some reason I have sprayed aluminium



It might take a couple of sessions, because I'll need to prime the aerial before I paint it.

cheers

Andrew

[Ian]

So close, Andrew. And looking great!

[ShaunW]

Nice one chief, nearly there. Shame about the radio mast - the kit version is nice but oh so easy to break

General rule of thumb - gunmetal for gun barrels

[Marek]

Shaun,
aluminium is equally good for gun barrels, pilot just needs to check his parachute and canopy handle before opening fire.

[AndrewR]

Shaun,
aluminium is equally good for gun barrels, pilot just needs to check his parachute and canopy handle before opening fire.

Some gun metal finish will be applied tonight.

[mightymikeD]

General rule of thumb - gunmetal for gun barrels

See Also:

Field Grey for Catchers
Grass Green for Snitches
Trainer Yellow for Reeboks
US Tan for Holidays

[AndrewR]

General rule of thumb - gunmetal for gun barrels

See Also:

Field Grey for Catchers
Grass Green for Snitches
Trainer Yellow for Reeboks
US Tan for Holidays

You forgot

Rust for UK Holidays


The gun barrels are now a more appropriate shade (of pink) and I've put on more satin varnish. Almost there...

[Marek]

Now pink gun barrels are something completely else. Pilot checks the chute, canopy handle and his (or her) Hello Kitty pad?