Micro Build, 1/144 Bf-109G

[kettbo]

Gents,

My 1/285 scale Ki-27 build, kinda difficult to see what is going on. I will update that soon with some pictures. In the meantime, something a tad easier for you to see here. For fun, wanted to build something a bit bigger than usual, less eye strain. I decided on my most favorite, the GUSTAV!

Scaled plans, glued them to the .040" styrene, cut around with nippers, filed to the line

time to laminate

center and a side 'lam'

more laminations, note causing taper by 'stepping' the plastic on the rear fuselage

last of the lamination

some file work

close of shop FRI nite, 2x 2-hour sessions

 

[Airframes]

I like it !

 

[hawkeye2an]

SCRATCHBUILDING, Love it !!!!!!!!

 

[dirkpitt289]

WOW, now that is old school. Very impressive

 

[kettbo]

OK, had an hour to kill, worked on Gustav

Inlet the underside more and sliced along the bottom of the wing. Bend up to form the wing angle

added a second sheet to the wing

nipper action

basic wing

started to form the airfoil

that's all for tonight folks. Roughly 5 crafting hours ago this was sheet stock

 

[herman1rg]

Impressive

 

[Wurger]

 

[Airframes]

Great stuff !

 

[Crimea_River]

That is sweet!

 

[kettbo]

Attended Seattle's SEAFAIR today. Was on the lake on a 65 ft charter boat. The BLUE ANGLES flew right over us several times

Got back late, only had time to shape the wings more. Added the horizontal stabilizers and a temporary supercharger inlet for grins

far from done but good progress

 

[Wayne Little]

Excellent!!

 

[kettbo]

Shaped the wings more today, started to pencil things on in a very rough and ready fashion.

noted the spinner is now a tad short. Will have to turn one down and replace the current one from the original lamination. I moved the horizontal stabilizers back a tad before anyone noticed


met today with modeling and casting giant John McEwan from Riveresco/tin-soldier.com. He has been sculpting and casting over 40 years.
John on the left. I am humbled by his talent. I have spoken to John every year at the ENFILADE CON since 2000. We finally visited.....

 

[Crimea_River]

Great stuff George! Was wondering if dipping the spinner in some CA glue then shaping might work?

 

[LA2019]

Wow, that is simply awesome.

I'd be in a padded cell if I tried something like that!!!!

 

[kettbo]

Great stuff George! Was wondering if dipping the spinner in some CA glue then shaping might work?

The real way forward would be to turn a new spinner....my Mk 1 eyebal let things go awry.
Another thing with styrene is you can cut the bad part out, glue in a replacement, and drive on....
Spinner shape and size critical for that 'just right' look.

 

[Crimea_River]

Look forward to seeing the result!

 

[Airframes]

Me too ! The painting should be interesting !!

 

[kettbo]

Truth be known....this is a master for replication....from one, MANY! ex unus , plures


Decisions, decisions. What version to build?
I may have John (above) cast a no-bump fuselage for F-1 - G-4
Then re-cast for G-5, -G-14 mit Buelen
Then re-cast with the smooth bulges for all the "AS" variants G-5/6/14, G-10, and K-4
of course I would also need a smooth wing, then a wing with small wheel bulges, than one with late long blisters
then short and tall tails (a few versions of the tall tail)
then the standard and Erla Haube canopy (will come removable so as to swap)

All in the near future

edit
also intend to do several others in 1/144; P-51, FW-190, P-47 etc, etc while the various "Hundert Neun" parts are worked-up for casting

 

[Wurger]

Yep....decisions, decisions... that can rock everybody down. To avoid the stress I would suggest using the Czech rule "libi nobo ne libi" - I like this or not - in the English.

 

[kettbo]

True, one can become bogged down with all the versions....
I will discuss the merits with Herr McEwan, see if we can come up with a 'one pleases all' scenario here

Next up, the underwing radiators, then lower wing shaping.

Any requests on what versions of the above-named planes people would like to see? Razorback P-47 vs Bubble Canopy? Sturmbach equipped FW-190? (the problem here would be the sheer size of suitable prey)