**** DONE: 1/48 Bf109F-4 J.Steinhoff - Your Favorite Aircraft of All Time GB

[T Bolt]

Looking good Andy!

 

[Airframes]

Nicely done Andy, and you had better luck with the ICM decals than I did. The larger ones worked OK, but many of the smaller ones just dissolved !

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks all. Wayne, I know the feeling and will likely fix the number.

Terry, I used a good dose of this stuff:

 

[woody]

Nicely done Andy.

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks Jerry.

Werke Nummer corrected! 13744 has become the correct 13144. How's that Wayne?

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Amazing Andy, amazing!

 

[Wayne Little]

Good stuff Andy, expect nothing less than a top effort!

 

[Wurger]

Looking very nice. Andy what is the problem with the Werk Nummer? Does the decal sheet that comes with the kit, have it incorrect or the Kagero one?

 

[Rogi]

Very smooth nice work I can't wait for the "finished" thread so we can get a all around view of her

 

[Airframes]

Nicely done Andy. I've tried all sorts of bonders, clear coat before use etc, but find that most (but not all) of the small, delicate ICM decals dissolve in the water, almost immediately!

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks guys.

I guess I got lucky Terry. I really had my fingers crossed with the wing walk lines but they behaved. They are actually printed in the L shape but I cut them in two to make them more manageable.

Wojtek, it's Kagero that got it wrong both in their profile drawing and on the decal sheet. WNF manufactured F-4's in the WNr block 13001 to 13391. 13744 would have been a G-2 that was manufactured at WNF in the summer of '42.

Anyhoo, the model has now received a seal coat of Future and will sit overnight for a final matt coat to be applied tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll work on the tail wheel and canopy armour.

Thanks for your continued interest guys. Won't be long now.

 

[javlin]

Cool Andy,looking very good thier Sir!

 

[Gnomey]

Looking good so far Andy!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Nicely bit of manoeuvring with the decal Andy.

 

[Crimea_River]

Many thanks gents.

 

[Maximowitz]

Sweet! Always liked the "F" version.

 

[woody]

Getting closer well done Andy.

 

[Crimea_River]

Nice sunny day today so I set up a photo session outside. Dullcoat was sprayed on this morning, wheels were attached, and some odd bits were installed.

First, 3 general shots. The armoured windscreen is glued on with clear parts cement which I chose to sandwich fully between the glazing pieces. It's drying very slowly due to little air getting at it so still has a milky look. The exhaust deflector pieces have been installedand painted but still need to be dirtied up a bit.

Having applied the dull coat, a fair amount of silvering has now been revealed on some of the small stencils and also on the wing walk lines and stencils as can be seen below. I'll need to try to rectify this by poking holes in the decals, applying some setting solution, and then reapplying the dull coat.

Two shots of the nav lights. As described earlier, the solid plastic in this area was filed away, then a clear stretched sprue bulb was painted and glued on an this was then covered with several doses of CA glued then sanded flush. Turned out alright I think.

Here's the underside showing some initial panel work and weathering. Tires have been flattened which, for 109's, I find to be a bit tricky to get the angle right.

The punch list now stands as:

- Add a few more fastener details and install cowl
- Exhaust stains
- Touch up exhaust colours (the front one black as pointed out by Terry)
- A bit of oil staining and streaks
- Antenna mast and wire
- Pitot tube. The kit one looks like crap and will be replaced
- Install armour plate and mid canopy

Getting there. Thanks for looking in and for your kind words.

 

[Airframes]

Beaut job Andy - looks the biz !

 

[Vic Balshaw]

It's a beaut Andy!