dai phan Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 Hello friends… Time to start this highly regarded kit. This time I do not have to deal with ill fitting after market engine sets like I did with my previous 4 projects. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Memphis Posted January 9, 2023 Share Posted January 9, 2023 Really interesting. I also have this kit. Do you already know what variant you will build? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 10, 2023 Author Share Posted January 10, 2023 11 hours ago, Memphis said: Really interesting. I also have this kit. Do you already know what variant you will build? I do not know as of yet. I will choose the variant with the most colorful scheme. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 10, 2023 Author Share Posted January 10, 2023 (edited) Hello all… Started building tonight and waiting for the paints to arrive. The Tamiya kits are such a joy to build. The parts fits so well like a fine Swiss watch. The tolerance is so tight that seams tend to disappear and that is not good if they fall on the panel lines. The 109 has a top and bottom seams that likely will be eliminated if you apply thin cement over the joints. I will apply from below. Dai Edited January 10, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 11, 2023 Author Share Posted January 11, 2023 (edited) Hello all, While waiting for paints, went ahead and assembled the main components. A few points to note, the attachments of the pedals are tiny and thus you should use thick cement for strength. Also when glueing the wing tips, install the airelons so you can check the correct position of the tips. The trailing edges of the wing tips should follow the contour smoothly. The assembly went very fast due to the excellent engineering and fit of parts. This is what modeling is all about. Really I cannot see anything better than this… Dai Edited January 11, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 11, 2023 Author Share Posted January 11, 2023 One more thing. Some comment on the Net about the magnets allowing either open or closed cowls at anytime as “gimmicks”. I beg to differ. Gimmick is about something what seems to be but it is not. This novel feature from Tamiya is a working feature and it delivers what it says. Gimmicks ???? I do not think so. Although in the closed cowling configuration, some shimmings are needed to make the joints tight. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 12, 2023 Author Share Posted January 12, 2023 (edited) Hi all, Working some more while waiting for paints. A rarity here... I had to trim on the landing gears mounting tabs so they sit flush onto the wheel well. With Tamiya's drop fit without questions asked I had to wonder if I mucked up? A warning here, the gun pods halves have a VERY FINE raised line along on the seam line. Watch out or you will sand it off like I did. Luckily I have 3 back up kits to correct my mistake. Dai Edited January 12, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 14, 2023 Author Share Posted January 14, 2023 Happy Friday everyone... Time to paint as the paints have arrived. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 15, 2023 Author Share Posted January 15, 2023 (edited) Hello friends, Started painting today. I remove the kit hose (yellow) and fabricate from sprue to make them longer and so I can paint it seperately. The rear fuselage deck is slightly smaller then the fuse causing a slight step at the seam lines. Accurate or blunder ? The tolerance is so good that what you see here is press fit. The coat is gloss so I can remove unwanted wash easier. Later the parts will be dull coated. Dai Edited January 15, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 15, 2023 Author Share Posted January 15, 2023 Greetings Sunday everyone... Tne engine is not quite detailed like Eduard's after market set but still impressive. I hope Tamiya will keep this trend in future releases. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Memphis Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 It looks great! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 16, 2023 Author Share Posted January 16, 2023 Hello all, Primed the model. The fit is so perfect that no clean up is needed. Tomorrow will be application of the main colors. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 16, 2023 Author Share Posted January 16, 2023 (edited) Howdy all, I may have spoken to early about no seams to clean up. Here is an odd one. Tamiya is known for placing the joint lines at the panel lines so there is no need to fill and file the unwanted seams. On the bottom, rather than placing at the panel line, Tamiya decides to place the joint line away from the actual panel line! That will require some work that could be easily avoided. In addtion, the other joint line happens to be right on the oval inspection panel that will need to be rescribed. Totally unwarranted here. I check the refrences and there is no V shape panel line as seen on the red arrow. I find it odd that a company well known for masterful engineering can make blunder like this. I do not get it . Do you? Dai Edited January 16, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 16, 2023 Author Share Posted January 16, 2023 (edited) OK friends, On the Eduard's Look set, the instruction on the seat belt placement is wrong. The illustration shows how they are attached to the seat assembly before it is placed in the fuse. This is not correct. The right way is to apply the belts after the seat is joined to the fuselage as the attachment points are not on the seat itself but on the rear panel. I place the belts to show the correct position. This will be done after everything is painted. Dai Edited January 16, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kellyF15 Posted January 17, 2023 Share Posted January 17, 2023 This is an amazing build so far! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barkin mad Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 On 1/16/2023 at 6:50 AM, dai phan said: I find it odd that a company well known for masterful engineering can make blunder like this. I do not get it . Do you? Dai Tamiya are not the be all and end all that many seem to make out. Yes, they assemble very well, but like all model companies, they do make mistakes & inaccuracies. ------------ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 29, 2023 Author Share Posted January 29, 2023 (edited) Hello all, In doing research of possible schemes I realized late model 109s do not have standard camo like the earlier series. Each plane is so different from the others in patterns, colors. Since Tamiya's decals are so thick and un-usable for me, I have to look for others. I have bought some Eagle Cals decals as they look to be well researched. Dai Edited January 29, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chriss7607 Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Alfred Saurau's 'Yellow 6' with the eyes has always been a personal favorite of mine! I apologize if I misspelled his last name- Luftwaffe subjects and pilots are out of my normal subject range. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichB63 Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Great looking fighter…plenty of decal options for the Gustav. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 31, 2023 Author Share Posted January 31, 2023 Yes there are many decal options and unless you have an actual photos of the subjects in all views, the paint schemes are all speculative. This is due to the non-standard camo schemes from different factories. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vonjhn68 Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 You are right Dai, there is plenty of artistic license for modelers regarding Luftwaffe mottling. Each plane was unique. Regards, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 2, 2023 Author Share Posted February 2, 2023 Hello all, I have looked more into the Eagle Cals decals and I thought they are nicely printed and detailed. Eduard's offering is nice too but I hope it is not of the dreaded peel off type. Will start painting tomorrow. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 5, 2023 Author Share Posted February 5, 2023 (edited) Hi all, Start painting today. The RLM 76 is Mr Color and RLM 75 is MRP. I really do not like the MRP as if the surface is not uniform in the sheeness, it will take coats and coats and coats to get homogeneous coverage. This is due to the thinness of the paint. I would prefer a thicker formula. I have question for the experts here. Is the demarcation between the RLM 74/75 soft or hard edge? I see modelers on YT use masking tape but photos appear to be feathered edges. I welcome your comments. Dai Edited February 5, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cool Hand Posted February 6, 2023 Share Posted February 6, 2023 Generally, a semi-soft edge is what you will find for the main pattern on the wings, the fuselage patterns can vary more - especially the mottling. Which scheme will you be doing? That will give you a better indication of how the pattern will go. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 6, 2023 Author Share Posted February 6, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, Cool Hand said: Generally, a semi-soft edge is what you will find for the main pattern on the wings, the fuselage patterns can vary more - especially the mottling. Which scheme will you be doing? That will give you a better indication of how the pattern will go. Some decals will be coming and then I will finalize the scheme. MRP sprays well but required too many coats (at least 6) to get adequate coverage. One light swipe with a sandpaper sponge and you back to square 1. Am I not doing something right? Dai Edited February 6, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.