Friday, October 7, 2011

More on Mustangs!

Just a quick update on 1/32nd scale P-51 Mustang build and decals. The Tamiya kit  build is basically on hold while I work on the RAAF Mustang decals commission. This is taking much longer than expected but it should be worth the effort in the end with some never seen before RAAF Mustangs.

Unfortunately this has meant a reschedule on the release of the other P-51 Mustang decal release,  'Fool's Paradise' . I'll work towards getting this done by Christmas, 2011 that is!

Oh yes, nearly forgot, I've been asked a few times about the decal 'Galland' in 1/32nd scale and in particular why the kill bars on the rudder are all black. Well, that's what I thought they were at the time of building the kit but the AI decal gives you both a black and red version of the 60 kill bars. You can use either or combine bits from each.  This gives you the freedom to mix the colours to whatever you think is correct! My  advice is to look at the primary reference photos right here on this blog and put little weight on the other photos floating around the internet.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Slow progress on the Eduard Bf 109

Now that I'm well into building this kit I can see it is inferior to the Cyber-hobby kit I built recently. Again we have proof that 'in box' reviews are an absolute waste of time. The kit parts on the sprues look ok even though they do have some flash and when you cut the main parts off and  'dry fit' them together all seems to be ok.

However, this is no substitute for actually gluing the parts together. In building the kit it is apparent that basic construction like the fuselage half join requires putty and the crucial fuselage to wing joint leaves much to be desired. It reminded me of how kits used to be 20 years ago but this kit was released in 2009!

Upshot is if you want a quality 109e-4 kit that is a pleasure to build buy the Cyber-hobby and leave the Eduard one on the shelf.

I may have to put this kit aside for a rainy day. Anyway I'm expecting the superb Tamiya P-51 to land on my doorstep this week. Now this is what scale modelling is all about.

I've taken on a commission to do some decals for the Mustang kit that will hold up my build of the Eduard 109. More on this later.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Not another Bf-109

Yes, I'm building another 109, this time by Eduard in 1/32nd scale while I wait for the arrival of Tamiya's P-51 Mustang. With the Spitfire releases I used my contact in Japan to get me one of the first kits off the production line (no it wasn't nicked from the factory!). I had to pay a premium together with postage to get it to me but it was worth the cost. I'm not really a fan of the Mustang so I didn't worry about getting the kit asap.

I've already started on the Bf-109 kit from Eduard and it's immediately obvious it's not 'Tamiya Spitfire' quality. Keep in mind this standard is as high as you can get and will soon be superseded by the Mustang. So is the kit 'bad'? No, it's a good kit basically if we assume that Tamiya kits don't exist.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

It's only a model!

Recently I've seen some comments about 'fondling' and 'caressing' the Tamiya Mustang kit and 'plastic lust' upon opening the box lid. I find it difficult to relate to someone who makes these comments even if jest. It's just way too geeky, nerdish, socially disfunctional and simply odd.
It's only a model! (which Monty Python film was it?) little bits of plastic that you glue together and paint.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Double or nothing?

Just when I thought it was done and dusted when it comes to what markings I'll use of the Tamiya P-51D kit I see a post on hyperscale that provides another possibility, 'Down for Double'.

The post on Hyperscale included a link to a website Critical Past with a short film clip of 'Down for Double' in flight.

The P-51D is 44-15255 with the 354 FS, 355 FG, coded WR-F flown by 'ace', Lt.Col. Gordon M Graham. Note the 16 kill markings although only 7 were gained in aerial combat the balance on the ground.

Which one to do? perhaps I'll prepare the decals for both.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

New AI decal for Tamiya P-51 Mustang

For many of us, the first P-51 Mustang model we built was Airfix's 1/72nd kit with markings for 'Fool's Paradise'. Although Airfix didn't get the markings right or give any detail on the aircraft, it has become something of a quintessential representation of the P-51. 

As many of you already know, Aero Imageworks will  soon release a decal in the 'Mini' series with markings for 'Fool's Paradise' in 1/32nd scale specifically designed for use on Tamiya's new kit. If you are interested in this decal please email me as the more interest, the more likely it is that I'll be able to reduce the price.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Tamiya P-51 Mustang


The biggest buzz in the scale model a/c scene since the release of Tamiya's Spitfire in 1/32nd scale is Tamiya's P-51 Mustang in the same scale.

This kit is without doubt the best kit ever produced and actually surpasses the Spitfire. Take a look at the video where one of Tamiya's designers (a Frenchman) describes some of the clever engineering incorporated into the kit.

Tamiya has again shown it is the industry leader with highly accurate and innovative kits but if you take a look at some of the model forums you'd be forgiven for thinking its got insurmountable problems!

There has been talk for example about the rivet detail being too heavy handed and more like the detail seen on Trumpeter's P-40 Tomahawk. Now that the kit has been released we can see that the detail is beautifully done and looks very scale. Some ppl in forums just like to play the fool and complain about a kit even before its been released and they are subsequently always shown to be wrong when we see the kit up close for ourselves.

Speaking of forums (hyperscale.com etc.) they are a wonderful source of information but they do for some reason attract  juvenile behaviour. Only recently I put a couple of 'boys' back in their place (sling 'em to the kerb!)with a low key put-down that they couldn't respond to without making themselves look even more stupid! Thanks to all those who contacted me to say 'thanks' and congratulate me for a 'perfect put-down'.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

more photos of Galland Bf 109






Here we have a few more photos of the completed model. Please don't copy the flattened tyres, they are way overdone! Looking at these photos reminds me that models can capture something of the essence of the real aircraft and the man who flew it.

The greyscale version of the first photo provides an interesting comparison with one of the the core reference photo's of the real aircraft (see earlier in this blog for these core reference photos). Both photos show the aircraft from a similar angle and match up pretty well.

Thanks to those who have provided a wealth of information and comment on Galland's 109's. There are some (many!) questions on the camouflage and marking of Galland's 109's and W Nr 5819 in particular that remain unanswered. This is why the AI's 'Galland' mini decal has various option choices, its up to the modeller to decide which he considers is the accurate version. Ahhh if only we had some large, clear colour photos to help clarify matters and make the life of a decal producer so much easier!

I've been asked what colours I used on the model and which brand/s of paint I use. For the most part I like to use Tamiya acrylic paints as they are readily available, good quality, well priced and have a wide range of colours. I tend to mix my own colours and don't rely on a paint manufacturer to tell me what colour for example RLM 65 looks like. I've yet to find a paint manufacturer who has got it 100% right when it comes to Luftwaffe RLM colours. For information on this topic  Michael Ullmann's book 'Luftwaffe Colours' is an excellent starting point.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Galland Bf 109 model completed



Here is the completed model of Galland's Bf 109E, W Nr. 5819 using a mix of kit and AI decals. I modelled the kit with the flaps down as depicted in the primary reference photos (see earlier in blog) but left the ailerons in a neutral position.

Unlike many modellers I don't bother with super detailing the cockpit particularly in this case where the cockpit canopy is closed. For me, the main point of interest in the model is its overall shape and appearance not the micro cockpit detail.

The main wheel tyres have been flattened a bit too much, though it looks better than having no flattening at all. I'll take some better photos in natural light next weekend.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

New AI Decal released!!!

"Recently zer RLM (Reichsluftfahrtministerium) instructed Aero Imageworks to design und print  zis decal sheet . Ve have now been ordered to immediately release zis decal for sale to all good Luftwaffe modellers verldvide."
Ve must obey Orders!!
Sieg Heil!!!


Tuesday, April 26, 2011

I got the bumps!, more on the Dragon 'Galland' Bf 109E build

Previously I'd mentioned that the Dragon Bf 109E kit I'm building was missing some prominent 'bumps' at the wing root. I'm pleased to say I've now found them, they were in the kit marked as parts A12 and A13. However, according to the kit instructions they are to be cemented onto the inside surface of A19 which basically forms the cockpit floor. The kit instructions are wrong, these 'bumps' should be cemented onto the wing root and there is a little rectangular 'key' on the wing root and underside of 'bump' part to allow for correct placement.

I've been making notes as I go of any errors I find in the kit and so far these have only been of a minor nature. 

The bomb selector panel, part F30 should be discarded as none of the aircraft depicted in the kit decals was equipped with bombs. It's interesting to note that this part with all its little knobs and switches has been molded as the mirror image of the actual panel. I hadn't noticed this until one of my local Luftwaffe aficionados I know pointed it out to me.

Overall the cockpit is pretty good with a nice level of detail. The kit instructions suggest that the main instrument panel is either RLM 02 or 66, take you pick. For all of the aircraft depicted by the kit, the correct colour is almost certainly the same as used in the rest of the cockpit, RLM 02 with black instruments.

The nose machine gun detail is very nice but unfortunately it gets int he way of the cowling fitting correctly over the nose. The solution is either don't put the cowling on or hack the ammunition chutes with  a hobby knife so the cowling will fit. If Tamiya had made this kit they would no doubt have made it so the engine cowling would actually fit over all the gun detail parts.

The panels on the port side of the fuselage aft of the cockpit relating to the installation of GM-1 (Göring Mischung 1) equipment are missing. This equipment injected nitrous oxide into the engine to boost high altitude performance. Of the five aircraft depicted in the decal sheet with the kit only Gallands aircraft had this special equipment and this probably explains why it was not included in the kit. I would have liked to see these panels included in the kit with a note that if you don't want to build Gallands aircraft you nee to fill the panels with putty and sand flush.

While comparing the kit to the main reference photos of this aircraft (see blog) I noticed that the hand grip on the upper, port side of the fuselage, immediately aft of the cockpit is the wrong shape and in the wrong position; it should be further up the fuselage. I also noticed that a horizontal panel immediately aft of the cockpit is missing.

The prominent supercharger inlet on the port side of the cowling is a bit inaccurate in shape. I'm not sure how to fix it without having to do some significant reworking of the cowling panels so I opted to leave it as is. Its not a major problem and most would like me accept its good enough.

The cockpit canopy framing is slightly inaccurate as it shows a 'quarter window' on both port and starboard when in fact it is only on the port side. As it's not very noticeable I'm going to leave it and not go to the effort of trying to sand and then polish it off.

There is a recess in the fuselage behind the tailwheel has been blanked off on Galland's aircraft but on the kit we have a gaping opening. I'm thinking of filling this with filler and also shortening the tailwheel arm to it matches the core reference photos.

Moving onto the decals, these are fine and bed down nicely onto the model. There is however some accuracy issues with respect to Galland's aircraft. Although Dragon went to the trouble of getting outside help (see front page of kit instructions), it's obvious that the primary reference photos I'm using to build Galland's aircraft were not available to them.

AI's 'Galland' Mini Q013204 provides a more accurate depiction of the personal markings than do the kit decals. I used the kit decals for the national markings and all the little stencils. Initially I also used the kits decals for Galland's Geschwaderkommodore 'arrow' marking but I've since removed them and added my own (included in AI's Q013204). The kit's decal version is 'ok' but given I'd already made some concessions to accuracy by not adding missing panels lines I thought it best to make the effort and replace them with AI decals.

AI's 'Galland' Mini Q013204 decal provides a more accurate rendition of Galland's 'Mickey Mouse' inspired personal emblem, swastika's, various kill markings versions displayed on the rudder (the rudder was repainted with kills markings on a number of occasions) and a new Geschwaderkommodore emblem.

The c&m of Galland's W Nr 5819 has been something of an enigma prior to the discovery of the core reference photos referred to earlier. The problem is that the photographic record shows many inconsistencies and variations in the c&m from one photo to the next. In my view the reason for this apparent inconsistency is that Galland had two and perhaps three 109E's available for his use that were all painted as his personal aircraft, all wearing the 'mouse' and Geschwaderkommodore emblems. It's even possible that there were two 109E's marked with the werk number '5819'. Obviously only one was the 'real' 5819, the other simply had its werk number altered.

If you study the available photos of what is identified as '5819' you can see there are enough differences in c&m to provide strong evidence of multiple aircraft with the same markings all flown by Galland.

More build photos later.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Galland Bf-109E kit progress

Here I've applied the main decals after first applying a gloss coat. The kit decals settled down nicely onto the model as did my AI replacement decals of Galland's personal markings. The thin carrier film used on the AI decals virtually disappeared on application.

My method of application is to apply a small amount of  'Mr Mark Softer' into the model surface and then carefully slide the decal from its backing paper into position. Gently remove excess moisture and allow to dry.
The swastika and kill markings come from AI Q013204 'Galland'. In this case I've used the 60 kill markings as seen in the core reference photos referred to earlier in this blog. The AI decal includes the earlier kill markings as well so you have a choice of time frame to build Galland's Bf 109E-4N, W Nr 5819 from 1940 to April/May 1941.

I tend to build allied aircraft and the Spitfire in particular so this foray into WWII Luftwaffe was a welcome change. It's not hard to see why WWII Luftwaffe aircraft are so popular with scale modellers, the Luftwaffe certainly knew how to paint an aircraft so it looked good.


Friday, April 8, 2011

New Decal, Galland Mini Q013204, coming soon!

I'm in the process of releasing a simple correction decal with swastika's and personal markings for W Nr 5819 flown by Galland. It was designed for use on the Dragon, Wing Tech kit I'm currently building but it can of course be used on any of the 1:32nd kits, none of which have particularly accurate markings for W Nr 5819.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

further progress on the Bf 109E

Here's a couple of photos that show the main components and the first stage of the painting. The paint scheme has altered slightly from when this photo was taken including a repaint of the supercharger air intake from yellow to all camouflage colour.

During the painting I noticed the kit is missing some prominent bulges at the wing root. These bulges can be clearly seen in one of the primary reference photos. Also seen in the photos but missing from the kit are some hatches on the port side of the fuselage aft of the cockpit. It's a little disappointing to think that these little details have been missed by the manufacturer.


I'm thinking of completing the kit, including weathering, as components and leave joining wings to fuselage as one of the last steps. More to come later......

Saturday, March 12, 2011

A few more comments on Bf 109 kit

As I build this kit I'm constantly reminded that it is not a Tamiya Spitfire. Building the kit really does illustrate just how good the Tamiya Spitfire kits are and leads one to ask the question, why is it that no other manufacturer can match them.

Take a look at the photo of the tailwheel of the Dragon kit. It has nicely molded detail but look at all those molding tabs, all three of them! These tabs are like the sprue connections to the part, rather thick and require some force to snip off. This is not an isolated example, virtually every part has these tabs which suggests to me that the molding technology used by Dragon and other manufacturers is inferior to that used by Tamiya. When we look at Tamiya's Spitfire kits there are no tabs and the parts have a much smaller connection to the sprue that is easy to cut. Now that is excellence in kit molding.

I've also noticed that I've had to pay particular attention to dry fitting the parts and I'm frquently giving the sanding stick a work out, something you never needed to do with the Tamiya Spitfire kits.

Is the kit 'bad'? no, if it is compared to other recently released kits it stacks up pretty well, it just isn't Tamiya Spitfire quality.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

slow progress on Bf 109E build

Did I speak too soon on praising Dragon Wing Tech's Bf 109 kit? It seems so. This shows the folly of in-box reviews in general, what looks good on the sprue doesn't always hold true when it comes to actually putting the kit together.

There is some fit problems with the nose panels that only came to light once construction was well underway. My advice to those currently building the kit is to dry fit the nose and front cockpit parts as it looks like the manufacturer has miscalculated the way the parts come together. It simply isn't possible to fit the nose panels together without making some adjustments to the internal parts first. Easy to do when dry fitting but a problem when parts are already cemented in place.

Oh well, it's certainly not Tamiya Spitfire quality but then again it was only about a third of the price. Get what you pay for? I'd say so.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Tamiya and Aero Imageworks together

Does it get any better than this? I don't think so.

New 1/32nd scale Bf 109E-4 kit



While searching around for a kit to depict Galland's Bf-109E in 1/48 scale I came across this new kit from Dragon Models in their 'Wing Tech' Series in 1/32nd scale. This looks to be an excellent kit but for some reason it hasn't received much publicity.

Perhaps everyone thinks that only Eduard can do 109 kits but let me assure you if you think that you'd be wrong. Admittedly I'm yet to start building the kit, but a quick check of the parts reveals a nicely detailed kit that looks like it will fit together with precision. 

  
The kit reminded me of Tamiya's late mark Spitfires in 1/32nd scale, with its crisp, refined parts and the inclusion of engine and armament details. It also includes decals for five aircraft including Galland's W Nr 5819. Lets cut the parts from the sprues and get this one started!



Saturday, January 29, 2011

EBay bidding for Spitfire kit hits new high

A vintage, Airfix 1/72nd scale kit of the Spitfire Mk IX sold recently on Ebay for a staggering $133.51 AUD. What were you thinking! This reminds me of the ridiculous prices for vintage Airfix kits suggested in Arthur Ward's book Airfix, celebrating 50 years of the greatest plastic kits in the world . This is a great book for anybody with an interest in the history of Airfix, but don't take any notice of his price guide.  Even now, over 11 years after the book was published they are still grossly inflated. There are of course the odd, rare occasions when somebody gets over excited and in the heat of the moment goes crazy in an auction. Oh well, I sure hope he enjoys it, I'm sure the seller is pleased.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

more on Galland's Bf 109E

I've been looking around at what kits are available of the 'E' model and come across this Hasegawa kit with markings for Galland. I was interested to see what c&m choice Hasegawa made but alas they weren't prepared to take a punt! They suggest it was either RLM 71/02/65 or 74/75/76.


If we look at RLM painting instructions LDv 521/1 dated 8 November 1941 we find the first official reference to the colours 74/75 and 76. Even if we assume the documentation lags behind their existence and use, it seems highly unlikely they would have been available in 1940.

Could W Nr 5819 have been repainted in 1941 with 74/75/76? If we look at the four core reference photos, taken during the first quarter of 1941, we see it has all of its stencils. This strongly suggests that the paint scheme is its original one and there has been no significant repainting. We know the time frame for these core reference photos by looking at the 60 kill bars on the aircraft and the existence of Galland's 'F' model 109. A further photo not provided here was taken at the same time as the four core reference photos that shows Galland's 'F' with '5819' in the background.

All this is pointing to RLM 71/02/65 as the aircraft's basic colour scheme.

more to come later.......

Sunday, January 2, 2011

More photos of W Nr 5819

Galland in 5819, of note is the mottling to the fuselage and the demarcation at the wing tip.

fuselage appears to have a faded camouflage however this is most likely a flaw in the printing and/or photo itself. What are the two 'dots' forward of the schlageter?

Nice closeup of the fuselage emblems together with mottling to the fuselage. The mickey mouse emblem appears to be different compared to the core reference photo. In this photo the football body is lighter than the surrounding fuselage suggesting it has been painted white or an off-white.
 taxing to take-off, again we see a mottled fuselage and a RLM 04 nose. This colour is more of an orange/yellow.
 close-up of cockpit and fuselage markings.
 Galland and friends enjoying some french wine!



 Rudder displaying 57 kill markings on a RLM 65 background with the remainder painted RLM 04. The circles above the bars record the date of the aerial victory as day, month  with two digit year underneath.
Here we see Galland and friends gathered around the rudder of 5819 showing 'only' 45 kills.

more to come....