Here’s the second of my Bf 109 projects, that being a G-2 with the Eduard kit. I built their original G-6 a few years ago, but it got an exposed resin engine so I butchered up the front end. I look forward to doing this one right out of the box. I also intend to compare this one to the Tamiya kit I have going, to include the pros and cons of each. We will find out which is better (in my opinion of course).
I plan on doing the markings of JG 5 Hauptmann Horst Carganico. He was a Knight’s Cross recipient and shot down 60 Enemy aircraft. He did shoot down 6 on the Western Front. He was KIA on May 27th 1944 after crashing into high tension wires as a result of combat with USAAF bombers.
I found a Montex set to cover his G-2, which has a unique colored “Mickey Maus” on the fuselage and heavy RLM 74 mottling. It also has a touch of white distempering. This one should be fun.
I started with the pit. It’s not bad but Tamiya’s is better (ok…I’m being blunt…lol). The kit comes with a colored PE fret and I used the IP and seat belts. Truthfully, these are the only things I like about PE sets. I rarely waste my time with the other stuff. I used XF-24 for the RLM 66 again. I may just keep using it as I like it.
A nice touch is the separate fuel line provided in clear. You can tape off the center section and paint the rest. I like the result.
In no time I had the fuselage closed. They did a nice job simplify this process which was a nightmare on their earlier kits, like say the original 190 series.
A test fit of the wings. I don’t see any issues. On a side note, the detail is just stunning. I don’t think Eduard missed a rivet. I’d say they have Tamiya beat in this area.
I’ve been plugging along on this one too. Contrary to the Tamiya gem, this one has been a pain in rear for me. I’ll get to why in a bit. I preshaded the lines then got the Montex masks down. This thing has rivets everywhere as Tamiya’s has very few.
I added the yellow areas as well.
Carganico’s G-2 had the standard 74/75 over 76, but had heavy 74 mottling and some white distemper here and there. This should be fun. I fired down Mission Models 76.
Next the 75 went down.
Next I added the 74 and some XF-2 Flat White distemper. After that, I was pleased with how it turned out at this point. Then I went to remove the Montex masks which to my horror left glue residue behind that would not come off (See the hazy wing crosses below). This was the first time this had happened with these. The ones used on the Tamiya kit were flawless. I ended up sanding off the glue then repainting the area camo.
I gloss coated it with Alclad Aqua Gloss then ended up using spare decals for the markings. Fortunately the Mickey decal from Montex worked great.
I tried using the AK wash, but I was having trouble getting it to stay in the rivets. I pulled out my ole’ trusty Flory washes. Worked great for this…
I then used the AK Streaking Fluid Panzer Grey to dirty up the engine area. This looks about right to me. It takes practice but I think I’m getting better at it.
I managed to sit down last night and during a Netflix binge of Supernatural I got these turkeys done. Since I was building this one and the Tamiya kit together, I had full intentions of comparing them, then telling you guys what I thought…the pros and cons if you will. I finished both last night and must say they are both great. Here’s my take on them.
Both kits are wonderfully engineered and well detailed. They both put the old Hasegawa kit pretty much to shame. I don’t think Eduard missed a rivet. Except for a few small details here and there. They are fairly equal in these regards.
Eduard gives you photoetch and canopy masks. I like this feature with their Profipack kits a you get everything you might need without the need for ebay or Spruebrothers. Tamiya gives you decal seatbelts and decal instruments. I suppose it’s all preference but I don’t care for these.
Eduard was able open all the gun barrels but Tamiya couldn’t do this? I found this strange as they certainly have the technology to do this. Perhaps it’s to throw a bone to the aftermarket companies. That said, Since the G-2 was an R-6 version with wing cannons, I used the Tamiya cannon pods on the Eduard kit because they were much better detailed. I did use the Eduard barrels themselves. A bit of surgery.
I like the design of the Tamiya kit’s landing gears as it’s impossible to get the rake wrong. Not to say Eduard is bad, but Tamiya is fool proof.
That’s all I can think of. I’m sure there’s more that I forgot. I see many more of each in my future.
Anyways, here’s the finished Eduard kit. To recap its in the markings of JG 5 Knight’s Cross recipient Horst Carganico on the Eastern Front in the light distempered early spring of 1943. Carganico would score 60 kills, including 6 on the Western front. This one was built right out of the box. I used Mission Models paints and as stated earlier, I had an almost disasterous experience with Montex masks. They left adhesive residue behind that wouldn’t come off. I ended up sanding, repainting, then using decals. For weathering I used a combination of Flory and AK Interactive washes. I was worried thy wouldn’t mix,but I hand no issues as I used them separately. I was pleased with the overall grungy appearance. The “Mickey Maus” decals provided by Montex fortunately went down perfectly.
Aside from the Montex mishap, which I’m sure was an isolated issue as I’ve never had problems before, it was an enjoyable build. As I said, I will definitely be building many a more Eduard 109.
If only I could model on this level. Still learning and perfecting (trying to at least) techniques and one day, I hope to get amazing results like this superb example of a 109. Fantastic work. I tip my virtual hat to you good sir![:D[
Of course Joe, your painting skills are due to the expensive airbrush you use, the incrediblly fine construction work can be attributed to the wonderful tweezers, high class modeling tools in general, and your neat work area…[:D]
Confound it man, you put most of us to shame!!
But it’s always a delight to view both your works in progress and the final results … super modeling!
(I’m always amused when someone viewing my photographic images suggests I must have a great camera [:^)])
