Hasegawa Bf109E and Other Random Ruminations.....

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
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Hey, guys:

Sitting up here in New England, staring at the stash I’ve spent the past year accumulating, waiting for the weather to warm up so I can airbrush in my un-heated garage and start modeling again.

Just received the Hasegawa Bf109E ‘Hahn’ from the big Dragon Hasegawa sale a couple months ago. Having not modeled any WWII aircraft since I got back into the hobby last year, I’m astounded at how small this plane is, even in 1/48. Especially compared to more-modern single-seat jets like the A-1O and A-7D. Wow. The Mess is TEENY.

In any event, I picked the Hahn variant b/c it doesn’t require mottled camo, so I might actually be able to paint it without too many problems. :slight_smile: And this kit looks modest enough that I could finish it in a few days. I see it also has PE parts, which I haven’t used before. These require CA glue, right? Sorry if that’s a dumb question.

Finally, I’m not sure how you guys are able to pick which next kit you want to build. I suppose many of you decide by NOT deciding, and start several at the same time. It’s especially hard for me because I’m a novice builder (ie, slow), and can paint only as long as the weather up here allows. So I my options are limited.

My stash as follows–as you can tell, I like ugly and unique AC and I’ve got way too many good choices, which is a good problem to have, I reckon. Don’t know where to start!

Not sure how you’re supposed to reply to these ramblings, so without further ado, here is stash:

Fine Molds X-Wing and TIE

Has Henschel Hs129B-2

Has Junkers Ju87G-2 Anti-Tank

Has AH-64 Apache and Apache Longbow

Has F-104G NATO

Has AV-8B Harrier ‘Night Attack’

Has F-8E Crusader

Has A-7D Crusader II

Tamiya P-47D Razorback Thunderbolt

Tamiya Do335A-12 Anteater

Tamiya Skyraider

AM SBD-5 Dauntless

AM TBF/M Avenger

Eduard Bf110E

Academy MiG-21 MF Fishbed J

Monogram MiL-24 HIND

Thanks for looking…!

PB

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The Hasegawa Emil is a great kit. You should enjoy building it The PE can be left off if you find that too daunting & it wont matter much in the finished model.

The rest of your stash is a great collection of excellent kits. I’ve built several of them over the years & they are all a treat. Enjoy the builds.

Regards, Rick

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Ever think of putting a couple of space heaters in the garage? I use them in my HE-MAN WOMAN HATERS CLUB.

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Those would have to be some BIG HEATERS to chase away New England cold. :slight_smile:

PB

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I wouldn’t recommend a space heater while using flammable paints, anyway. You might end up finding out how a ciggarette feels lol.

As for deciding what I’ll build next, here’s what I do. I start going through the containers I keep my kits in. I open up boxes and look over the directions and check out the plastic. When something yells at me, I build it!

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When I can not decide which one of my 200 plus stash to build next I find watching a couple episodes of dogfights will usally inspire me on a particular subject. Where in new England do you call home? I’m down here in Southwestern Conn. By the way I was not aware the HE MAN WOMAN HATERS CLUB was still around! Where do they hold there meetings and are there any openings for new members?

Soulcrusher

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Well you can’t go wrong with the Tam p-47, it’s just an awesome kit and will really build your confidence. AM’s kits are supposed to be very good, although the one I’ve tried isn’t fitting so good. The Has 109 has always gotten good reviews, so you probably can’t go wrong there either.

my vote goes to the 109 !

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Hmmm…that’s the problem…ALL the kits “speak” to me! “Build meee…Build meeeeee!” I look at the Apaches and think “yeah, I wanna build a copter next.” Then I look at the Bf110 and think “Man, but that’s such a ugly-but-purdy looking bird, gotta do that one next,” and then I remember I love the Y-Wing, too. And also the Starfighter. And the Anteater. Agh!

Since it’s been months since I’ve airbrushed and the kit doesn’t seem too complicated, the 109 might be a good one to start with while I’m still rusty. I might give weathering a try, too, with some panel line washes. Who knows?

Soulcrusher, I live in the Boston area, Cambridge to be exact.

PB

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Not trying to steal the thread: but YES, the HE MAN WOMAN HATERS CLUB is alive and well!!! We hold nightly meetings and have guest speakers everynight! The guest speakers range from the History channel, the Military channel, History International, TCM, and last but not least the Western channel! The meetings are held in my back yard where I built the Club. Membership is open to all males and is FREE! So, sign up and start a local chapter near you!!!

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OP - I also just re-started modelling after 30 years off… what a difference! Stash has grown exponentially, too many good sales… how do I pick what next? Group Builds… also allows me the opportunity to share WIP and get feedback. Learn more from building “in a group” that solo. So, I look at opening/in progress GBs and join accordingly. :slight_smile:

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The Messerschmitt was a small plane. All engine and cannon, there was hardly room for the pilot and enough gas to stay aloft. It is sort of a surprise when you compare them to other models.

What to build next? Put on a blindfold and go pull one.

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Hmm…I might try the blindfold. :slight_smile:

Maybe one day when I own an actual single-family home with a heated garage and/or Man Cave ™, I’ll be able to build all year round…

PB

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You’d be amazed at how well you can work with what you’ve got. Sure ti owuld be nice to have a room size work shop, but it takes 18 square inches to actually build a model. A few more added in for tools and a little elbow room and you can build to your hearts content on a pretty small space.

I use a small computer desk, the kind with with a pull out shelf for a keyboard. Both the top AND the slide out section allow for double the working space space in the same area. There are plenty of shelves and places for the essentials, too. You can pick up these little desks at the thrift store for $10-$20 and maybe even for free by asking around. Add some lighting, a magnifier lamp and a power strip and youre in business. You can llikely fit this set-up almost anywhere you call home.

If I were to move tomorrow, I could fit all my modeling needs in a large box, plus the desk. You can do the same and be able to model almost anywhere. Give this way of working a try.

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Yeah, I can fit all of my modeling stuff on a card table, which itself JUST fits into my home office. When I’m not modeling in the winter, the card table goes in the basement and stuff goes into a closet. So in the summer I end up painting in the garage, and doing everything else in my condo. This spring I might move all operations into the garage, where there’s more room. Although modeling in 90-degree heat might drive me back into the A/C sometime in July or August. :slight_smile:

The other issue I have is where to put completed kits. Just about every inch of living space here is accounted for, except for a few feet of wall in my office where I could install a shelf. And if the wife and I have a kid this year, things are going to get only more crowded. Eeek! So many of the kits in my stash will just have to wait (like the Monogram B-17 I just bought from Evil Bay for ten bucks) until we own a bigger house. That’s fine, though, as all that plastic won’t biodegrade any time soon.

But there should be room for the teeny little Bf109. :slight_smile:

PB

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That 109 will almost fit in a boot! I recently got a good deal on a Hasegawa w/ Aires resin detail set. The more I looked at it, the more I wondered why? That is some small stuff…But definitley build a shelf SOMEWHERE. This, of course, implies the need to fill it, providing motivation for you and a subliminal message to your wife about your hobby.

I would encourage you to get off that card table and onto a desk similar to mine. It fits better into cramped spaces and offers a lot of storage possibilities. As for painting, try making a spray booth from a cardboard box, a window fan and some fabric to trap paint as you spray. It will fit in any window for exhaust and can be made to fold uo when not needed.

As for having kids, well, it can be the death of modelling, so tread lightly.

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If I had the room I’d get a desk, but my work desk already takes up half the office. The card table barely fits as it is. I mean, barely.

As for the kid, well, at some point, it’s out of my hands. :slight_smile:

PB

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Thats that then, innit?

Best of luck with your efforts and lets see some pics of the ME-109, okay?

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UGLY??? Thats one of Germanys most beautifull birds IMHO. Such sleek and purposefull lines.

Build it man, go on. You know you want too.

…GUy

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Thanks, Dahut! If/when I start the 109, I’ll post pics. But only if the pics and/or build aren’t embarrassing. I’m still a newbie, especially when it comes to photography. :slight_smile:

Luft–You know, the 110 is ugly in a beautiful kind of way. Hee. The two things preventing me from diving into the Eduard kit right now is 1) the mottled camo scheme 2) I haven’t built a kit since last summer, so I’m concerned that it might be too challenging while I’m still rusty.

PB

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ME-110:

Ugly?

Beautiful?

My vote is for ugly.