Tamiya bf. 109 G-6 : a lesser knowned ace
Wolf-Udo Ettel is one of several lesser known fighter aces of the Luftwaffe. Achieving his Iron Cross in June 1943 after claiming his 120th victory in Russia. A few days later he was transferred to Italy, commanding 8./JG27, proceeding to shoot down both fighters and bombers (B-24s included). However in July 17th, while strafing ground targets his mount, black 6, was shot down by AA, Wolf perishing in the crashing. His final score was 124 victories.
This is the Tamiya kit, released last year, featuring accurate dimensions and some innovative gimmicks that allow the modeler to depict the plane with open engine hood, or closed, providing parts and decals to have both options made. The parts are interchangeable due to small magnets that bond the moveable parts without the need of any glue.
Now, since I found the engine plastic the best I’ve seen around, I decided to detail the whole power egg as much as I could and knew. Later on I came to the conclusion that if one adds cables and pipes the interchangeable factor is lost.
Decals came form my stash, although I did use the kits wing crosses for the the lower wings and found them far better than Tamiya usual thick decal film. These are thinner and blend the surface details quite well. Not so for the stencils I’m afraid, avoid them if you can.
100 hours work, mostly for the engine parts and the weathering, but I had great fun with it, even though it languished for months in the shelf after initial assembly, entirely my fault I say
8 additional images. Click to enlarge.
David A. Thomas said on June 26, 2019
OK, now, that is just plain ridiculous fantastic modeling. A true feast for the eyes, Pedro.
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 26, 2019
Thank you David, glad you enjoyed it.
I don’t think I’ll build another 109 sometime soon, too exhausted
dale travis said on June 26, 2019
Great work Pedro! I've got my kit on the short list of up- coming projects.
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 26, 2019
Thank you David, am sure you’ll do a great work with this kit also. Any thoughts as to what particular plane you want to depict?
dale travis said on June 26, 2019
I think I'm going Romanian on this. It will be a closed up version. I'm in the process of finishing an Eduard 109 F-2 from the Russian front in JG 54 markings.
Paul Harrington said on June 26, 2019
Wow... that is an excellent paint job
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 26, 2019
Thank you Paul, all Gunze acrylics and the cables and pipes were painted with Vallejo
Tom Cleaver said on June 26, 2019
Beautiful work, Pedro!
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 26, 2019
Thank you Tom, glad you enjoyed it
Michel Verschuere said on June 26, 2019
Great job Pedro, was looking fwd to this entry in the main feed! Liked!
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 26, 2019
Thanks Michel! I had the day off to complete the model 😉
Stephen W Towle said on June 26, 2019
Ok,blunt and to the point, "Model of the Month" material. Exquisit is a good word to use.
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 26, 2019
Thank you Stephen, exquisite is a powerful adjective
david leigh-smith said on June 26, 2019
Pedro. A masterpiece of modeling in 1/48, or any scale. Considering how many Emils, Friedrichs, and Gustavs I’ve seen, for a 109 to blow my socks off, THAT’S an achievement. This is beautifully done, in every single way.
Kudos, Pedro. Lots of it.
‘Liked’ ‘liked’ ‘Liked’ ‘liked’ ‘Liked’
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 26, 2019
David, my friend, you certainly have a way with words. No other compliment beats your analogy 🙂 and I must say I share the same feeling when I look at a model of a kit/subject done to death like Messerschmitts/Spitfires or Mustangs. Once every now and then one grabs our attention tight? Glad mine did. Oh btw the B&W photo included is your fault
Marek Targowicz said on June 26, 2019
Yes, exquisite is the proper word indeed! Congratulations!
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 26, 2019
Thank you Marek
Julian Shawyer said on June 26, 2019
A really nice Messerschmitt. Well done Pedro.
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 26, 2019
Thanks Julian, glad you liked it
Paul Barber said on June 26, 2019
Time spent on the engine and interiors really shows - all of the painting is first class!
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 26, 2019
You’re too kind Paul, thank you
David Humphreys said on June 26, 2019
Superb modelling!
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 26, 2019
Thank you David
Stéphane Bredel said on June 26, 2019
Absolute perfect masterpiece. Congratulations!
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 26, 2019
Thank you Stephane
Franco Damiani said on June 26, 2019
wow very nice job!
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 26, 2019
Thank you Franco
David Mills said on June 26, 2019
Superb Pedro!
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 26, 2019
Thank you David, glad you like it
Craig Abrahamson said on June 26, 2019
I can but only concur with the masses, sir...stunning build indeed.
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 26, 2019
Thanks Craig, glad you enjoyed it
Robert Royes said on June 26, 2019
All of the above, super craftsmanship!
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 27, 2019
Thank you Robert, glad you liked it
Shun said on June 27, 2019
Hi, Pedro!
It's a very best. I want to master some day yours skill, especially of weathering,
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 27, 2019
Thank you Shun
Louis Gardner said on June 27, 2019
I have been watching you work your magic on this one from the very beginning. I’m extremely impressed with the way it looks. This one is “Model of the Month” material for sure. The extra attention to detail that you added to the engine (and office) makes this one stand head and shoulders above the rest. We see a lot of 109’s built and posted on here, but I sincerely believe that this is the best one yet !
It looks like you went back in time, brought a prime 109 back with you and shrunk it down to 1/48 scale. Seriously it’s that good.
You can never have too many... 😉 and these new tool Tamiya 109’s are really nice. I have 3 of them in the stash and hopefully I’ll get to them soon.
I have been watching for you to post this one since you recently mentioned that you finished it up. You must be very proud of this one... and you should be.
Well done my friend and “Liked”.
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 27, 2019
Thanks for the support during this build Louis, never got around to say it but it’s true.
About that “can’t have too many 109s”, let me tell you that I’m on sabbatic leave from 109s. Built a few during the last year or so, and this one drained my creativity on the subject. Still have 2 German planes on the bench, but I’ll be focusing some American or British planes for a time.
Jeff Carle said on June 27, 2019
The photography alone is spectacular! Well Done!
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 27, 2019
Thank you Jeff, don’t tell anyone but I used my old iPhone to take them
DE4EVER said on June 27, 2019
🙂 … Greetings … 🙂 :
Stunning work Pedro, spectacular work on the weathering and the photography is so well done. A joy to see, thanks.
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 27, 2019
Thank you De4ever
Manuel Magrinho said on June 28, 2019
Another excelent model Pedro!
Congratulations
Pedro L. Rocha said on June 28, 2019
Obrigado Manuel
Tony Prince said on July 2, 2019
Everything about it is superb: paint, weathering, detail & of course the kit.
The extra factor is the talent put into the finished product, & you have it!
A beautiful job: congratulations!
Pedro L. Rocha said on July 2, 2019
Thank you for such a warm feedback Tony
Eric Berg said on July 2, 2019
Wow! Looks outstanding! The engine just blows me away. You're a master!
Thiago C. M. Pacheco said on July 9, 2019
Spetacular build! I have this one in the stash and yours is surely is an inspiration.