**** DONE: GB-37 1/48 Bf109E-4B - Helicopters / Military a/c of BoB 1940

[parsifal]

thanks for the explanation guys. Not being able to fit all the details of the engine bay under the cowl seems to be a recurring problem for 109s. For different reasons I admit, but I gave up trying to fit everything under the cowl of my 109. I notice also that both john and Terry didn't open up their 109s either. I'm sure its possible, but it does have challenges all of its own origin. . .

 

[Airframes]

I only display engines, or other open panels, if the model is to be in a diorama relevant to such. The He-111 in my current build has two complete engines, with all fittings, but they'll be hidden under the cowlings.
As Andy found, some kits are designed to be built to display the engine, meaning that major parts, or the complete engine, have to be omitted if the cowlings are in place.

 

[Crimea_River]

I don't see it as a "problem" bit rather a simple matter of injection moulding limitations. At 1/48 and 1/72, you simply can't create an exact replica of the DB 601 and also provide a cowl that will fit over it that's made of styrene. The cowl would have to be so thin that you would be able to see through it. The larger the scale, the more possible it gets.

No news on this build and not likely to get back at it til Sunday soonest.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

You may have only got an hour or so on the bench Andy, but that is some nice exhaust detail, these Eduard detail parts really lift the game.

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks Vic.

Wing halves have been glued together. Nice fit and no issues, though Eduard would have you trap the cannons between the wing halves. I don't like having sticky-outy things present during the build process so I elected to leave these out. I will cut off the details that will prevent me from sliding the barrels in later and install the guns near the end of the build.

This close-up shows the beautiful subtle panel lines and rivet details. Personally, I think Eduard have set the standard in this regard.

The PE coolant radiator grilles are quite nice and these have been masked and shot with Alclad Steel. The contact surfaces for the housings were masked to preserve the glue surfaces and I see that I forgot one piece of tape that I need to remove.

A dry fit of the wings reveals an almost perfect fit to the fuselage. No filler will be needed and I'll probably get away with just a bit of surface primer.

The upper surfaces at the wing root will have no gaps though I will need to help the wing contour conform to the curve of the fairing. Pretty close now though.

Back to sticky-outy things, unfortunately there's no getting away from installing the tail wheel strut when you glue the fuselage halves together so I elected to protect the delicate moulding from knocks by inserting a toothpick into the opening and securing it with tape.

That's all for now folks. Thanks for looking in.

 

[parsifal]

I really like those inlet grill andy. Plus your cockpit looks very schmicko as well.....

 

[Airframes]

Good stuff Andy, and I agree, that's some nice surface detail. It also looks like it goes together a lot better than than earlier Bf110 kits !
Schmicko ??!!

 

[Wurger]

 

[turbo]

Nice one Andy! These Eduard kits are pretty damn nice these days.

 

[parsifal]

Good stuff Andy, and I agree, that's some nice surface detail. It also looks like it goes together a lot better than than earlier Bf110 kits !
Schmicko ??!!

"Schmicko" .....
adj.

1. an australian term meaning full of glamour; charmingly or fascinatingly attractive, esp. in a mysterious or magical way.

 

[Crimea_River]

That's good then right?

Thanks very much guys. Terry I think the 110 was one of Eduard's first new tools and certainly not indicative of what they are achieving now. The fit on this 109 is excellent and their Mk IX Spit that I did was a pleasure as well.

Nothing done today as it was a glorious day on the slopes +4C and not a cloud.

 

[Wayne Little]

Good stuff there Andy.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Airframes]

Thanks for the explanation Michael.
I'm jealous Andy - wish i could still ski !

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks all. Spent juts a bit of time today fitting some of the nose cowls. The fit of the side panels was impressive but the gun cover required a bit of attention in that it fouled the moulded cover for the back of the instruments significantly. I had to thin both the cowl and chew off some plastic on the instrument cover before I could bring the cowl into place properly.

All this has been set aside to cure. A quick check of the engine cowl fit reveal some very minor tweaking to be done but it all looks like it will come together well. Thanks again for following along and for the feedback.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Gnomey]

Great work so far Andy!

 

[turbo]

Always annoying when construction surgery is needed!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Coming together nicely Andy and I like your tail wheel stub protector, they can be a real pain stuck out like that.

 

[fubar57]

Looking very nice