Hello, I know not everyone peruses the group build forum (guilty myself), so I figured I would post a WIP over here too. I’m building this for the 2015 Messerschmitt Group Build. For this project I have the G-6 “Experten” boxing which I decided on the markings of Anton Hackl’s JG 11 mount. Hackl was an extraordinary pilot that served on several front amasing 192 confirmed kills, to include 34 four engine bombers. This build will get a True Details cockpit and perhaps some Ultracast wheels later.
Hackl’s mount…
I started with the cockpit. For the RLM 66 I used XF-63 German Grey lightened up slightly with XF-19 Sky Grey. XF-63 to my eye is too dark. I love True Details cockpits, but hate their instrument panels. They’re generally oversized and hard to detail paint. I used the kit example which I drybrushed and washed.
In no time flat I had the airframe together and primed. These pretty much fall together and build themselves. Its my understanding that there is supposed to be a panel line that runs down the spine, I didn’t like the way it looked on my last 109, so I decided not to carve it in this time. I also added thedoor on the rear bulkhead from sheet styrene.
German mottling is somewhat challenging when your airbrush needle is going bad, for I’m having a hard time getting those fine lines down (see the preshading “bands”…oye!) I added the ID colors (white tail, yellow nose and fuse band) which were then taped off. I’ve seen some Luftwaffe belly tanks with the tips painted black. I liked it so I did it here…
RLM 76 was next. For some reason I couldn’t seem to get this right to my eye. I used the recommended 2 parts (drops) XF-66 Light Grey, 1 part XF-23 Light Blue and then 7 parts XF-2 Flat White, but it just looked too pale grey. I added a touch more of the blue. This is why I hate trying to make RLM colors out of Tamiya paint and use Gunze Aqueous for this. RLM 76 is the only one I dont have. Here we are with “F it…good enough”. I streaked and weathered it with a diluted red-brown/black post shading.
I then pulled out the Gunze for the 74 and 75. I love the Aqueous line for RLM colors. They look right on to me. 75 was first.
I then used the instruction sheet profile for an Idea how Hackl’s camo pattern went. It appeared to be field applied void of the normal splinter pattern. I am however skeptical since the sheet calls for this pattern on all three planes, two being on the Eastern front??? I decided to freehand spray on the 74. I then added a touch of XF-2 Flat White to fade it out a bit in the wings. As I said, needle issues prevented this from being a convincing mottling job and really tried my patience. Hopefully it will be passable after decaling and weathering later.
Looks like a beauty in the making to me! Doesn’t look like the airbrush needle had any kind of impact as far as I can tell.
If you have one near you, both Michael’s and Hobby Lobby carry some airbrush needles, though they generally stick to the more “mainstream” brands like Badger and Paasche, they are worth a phone call for others.
Thanks guys. Rob, I have both near me, but I use a Thayer Chandler Omni 4000. Not exactly a common brush, but I like it because one needle covers any sized line, fine to wide. I usually get my AB parts from Dixie Art, which is where I bought the brush. I have been checking out the Iwata stuff lately though. It looks like they have nice brushes…
I’m gonna go with done here . Just finished…the glue is still wet on the groundwork… [:O] . To recap it’s the 1/48 Hasegawa Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 in the markings of Anton Hackl of JG II around August of 1943 when JG II was assigned to Reich defense. Hackl was a 192 kill ace with 34 of those being heavy bombers.
Reference the kit, it was the “Experten” boxing which came with Hackl’s markings. Its nicely engineered, but in my opinion somewhat basic. I have built many over the years and they do just fall together. It does need a resin pit, or at least some PE in there. My issues, or should I say confusion, lyes in trying to use the correct parts for the particular variant I’m building. Then all the “cut this off…shave that…fill this” stuff…its mind boggling to me and I usually forget something. For example, as someone pointed out, this one has two dimples on the port fuselage which was for an umbrella on tropical versions, not this theater. I think I used the wrong cannon blister on the starboard side too. I did remember to shave off the scoops in the canopy. Anyways, on this build, I used a True Details cockpit and Quickboost guns which I found in the stash.
The figure is from Reheat which I got off Ebay recently. It was found to be nicely detailed. I painted “Major Tony” with Tamiya paints and drybrushed with lighter versions of that color. The skin tones were done with Model Master Enamels with the same techique. It was all given a brown detailer wash. Figure painting is really not my forte but I’m trying to improve in this area. To me, these models just look better with a pilot standing next to them and the chute at his feet is a bonus. I may eventually branch into vehicles and such too.
I may try the Zveda F model one of these days just to see how it compares. I heard its better than Hasegawa’s kit. I still have 2 G-2’s and a G-10 in the stash.
Simply beautiful! You turn out one awesome build after another Joe. Combine that with all the helpful hints and you (along with a lot of other guys/gals around here) really help out us more inexperienced builders. Hoping one day to turn out something half as nice! Thanks again for sharing and keep up the great work[Y]
Another great build there Joe! I agree, it’s always nice to have a figure displayed with the model, it really adds a lot. It’s too bad I can’t paint figures.LOL Guess I should start practicing more. That “simple” base really adds to the presentation too.[Y]
