Extract from newsreel showing Adolf Galland going into action with JG 26.

Further to my investigations into Adolf Gallands Bf 109 I've prepared this short extract from a January 1941 german newsreel showing Galland flying Bf 109E-4N, W Nr 5819.

In the brief period since I asked about the C&M of the aircraft on Hyperscale, I've gathered together with the help of some local luftwaffe aficionados over twenty photographs. By careful analysis of the photographic record I've been able to come up with a reasoned description of this aircraft's camouflage and markings.

The first four photographs provide a wealth of detail and form the central core of reference material I'll be using in modelling the aircraft. If only there were more high resolution, sharp photographs like this. My only complaint is they aren't in Colour!

The photo below shows W N r 5819 at an earlier date in  near new condition with a clean RLM 65 fuselage without any mottling. The colour scheme was almost certainly RLM 71/02/65.

  

The photo below was probably taken during the same time frame as the four core reference photos. Note it also shows 60 kill markings on the rudder.

Galland and his aircraft. Note the rather subdued Mickey Mouse emblem that appears to have been lightly over-sprayed when some fuselage mottling was applied. Or is it just exhaust staining?

More to come later......................

Bf-109E-4, W.Nr. 5819 flown by Adolf Galland

The above photos shows Galland's Bf-109E-4 emblazoned with 60 kill markings on the rudder. Incidentally, this photo or more precisely the negative, together with a few others from memory were sold on Ebay for an astronomical amount last year. I've forgotten the exact amount but I think it was edging up to $2,000! yes for a photo! I've always been fond of Adolf Galland from the time I first saw him in an interview for the BBC documentary series 'The World at War'. This larger than life character with an engaging personality had in the post war period become the foremost spokesman for the Luftwaffe and always promoted the view that the Luftwaffe was somehow disconnected from Nazi doctrine and beliefs.

The photo has inspired me to see if I can build a model of this 109 possibly in 1:48 scale. However, before I start cutting plastic parts from the sprue I'd like to know something about the camouflage and markings of this aircraft. Perhaps hyperscale can help.

Is Ebay 'Evilbay'?

Ebay is a on-line auction site where you can buy virtually anything from anywhere in the world. This huge market place is of interest to scale modellers as a source for model kits particularly the out of production ones and is also a good source for collectors of  militaria.

As a ebay user over the last 6 years I've purchased a wide variety of items but only about a quarter of the purchases have been for myself! The rest have been for friends and militaria collectors (in the over 50 age bracket!) I know who are not computer users and simply don't like the idea of bidding in cyberspace.  They've heard all the horror stories and testimonials from people who describe ebay as 'evilbay'. In my experience the dangers of bidding are all greatly exaggerated and can be overcome or at least significantly mitigated by remembering a few basic rules.

Before you sign up for a username and starting bidding read all the information on buying and selling ebay have on their site. Even if you have used ebay for a while its worth reading or re-reading this information again. Before you buy anything do some homework and make sure you know alot about the item you wish to purchase. Have a look at what sale price similar items have achieved and then determine your maximum bid. This is absolutely critical to success because if you don't set your limit and stick to it, you can quickly get yourself caught up in a bidding war where only the seller wins. Another point that is easily overlooked is postage costs. Always check the postage costs, this is especially important if you are buying from overseas and postage is via airmail.

After doing all of the above you should feel comfortable enough to place your bid and watch the auction tick down to a close. If all goes well you will win the item and after sending your payment have the item sent to you in the post.

The 'Prof', 'Mr Spitfire', the authoritative voice on all things Spitfire and Tamiya 1:32nd Spitfire kits No. 1 fan says

have a Jerry Christmas and a Jappy New Year!   This was a common saying after Japan entered WW2 where 'Jerry' refers to Nazi Germany a 'Jappy' the Empire of Japan. All this happened so long ago and now seems so unlikely to have ever occurred and yet it did. We really do live in a different world.

Airfix website

I recently had a look at the Airfix website. It was interesting to see many of the old kits I built as a youth still available only the packaging had changed. These old kits such as the Hawker Typhoon above, have been repackaged with a tube of glue, little tubs of acrylic paint and a brush.  The last time I built this kit it came in a clear plastic bag attached to a paper 'header' with a painting of the Typhoon in action not unlike the one on the new package. This sort of packaging complete with all you need to build the kit is intended to cater for children rather than the adult modeller.

I wish they would provide the models true age on the packaging. I'm sure many consumers don't realise that most of these kits that they describe as 'new' (kits become 'new' if you changed the packaging) were molded over 40 years ago! I have a nostalgic soft spot for Airfix but that doesn't translate into a desire to purchase any of their kits today. I felt out of place if not a little uncomfortable visiting a site that is intended for children.

Airfix clearly sees children as their primary market rather than the adult modeller. The focus on children reminded me that scale modelling does attract some middle aged modellers who behave like children and need a good smack! Maybe Airfix is on a winner here, after all, they have been around for a very long time.