Bf-109E-4/7 Trop - HobbyBoss 80261 - 1/72
As I haven't had too much time to build any kits lately, I was loosely following the Desert Air War Group and thought I'd add a quick little build using the Hobby Boss Bf 109E-4 Trop in 1/72. I did not have the time to update the progress posts - but I do have a final product.
I'm pretty sure this is my first 109, and my first HobbyBoss 'Easy Assembly' bit which does have more detail then expected and used a little filler in a few spots. I had a very rough time with the mottling so I decided to use some camo decals from Tamiya Decals #12682 for the Ki-61 kit, the spot blending is there but the photos do not show it off very well - but at least there is no overspray 🙂
The colouring was pretty close, so I basically cut out the appropriate pieces which loosely matched the camo using a downloaded Tamiya paint guide for a JG 27 BF109 - the popular Red/Black #8 of 2/JG 27, flown by Werner Schröer. Articles indicate he flew this camo scheme on his E-7, and my books indicate the E-7 was similar to the E-4 but had provisions for a belly gas tank, so I added the belly tank provide with the kit.
I used AK Air series RLM78/79/80 for the camo paint and they went on very well, and used Vallejo Premium White for the tail band.
Testors Red for the nose spinner proved to be a bit too dark for my liking but it served the purpose all the same.
Looks great, George (@georgeswork). I like the desert camo on German machines. I have also built a couple of Hobby Boss Easy Assembly kits to serve as a pallet for some painting experiments. They were fun to build, looked good, and I still have them in the case. Hope you have some more time for builds. :o)
Thanks George(@gblair), this kit hit the spot - a quick build and good to try paint options (which did not work out)
That’s great, George! Remember when guys were saying that Italian smoke ring camo decals were the death of the hobby, LOL?
Thanks John (@j-healy), I think I have the smoke rings all figured out with these Print-Scale decals, ready for this 'motley crew`.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Nice! I love 1/72 I can't build that small worth a darned, so I admire those who can!
Thanks Rob (@robertandy)
Awesome 109, George @georgeswork
Especially your work on the camo is great, even more because of this scale.
Thanks John (@johnb), these 1/72 builds do fit on my shelf nicely.
Looking really great, George! Love your mottling method.
Thanks Spiros (@fiveten), the decals did help keep my sanity
Looks great. Such a simply Kit and great result! Maybe some weathering will be good?
Thank you Lis (@lis), not brave enough for weathering yet.
A great-looking 109, and love the desert camo! Well done.
Thanks Greg (@gkittinger), the Desert Group was a good inspiration.
Nicely done George.
Thanks Allan (@kalamazoo), I have a few more decal sheets waiting.
Nice George, this came out looking great!
Thanks Bob (@v1pro)
Actually, if you look at any close-up photo of a German airplane that has a mottled finish, you'll find a ton of overspray, George. They weren't painting for iModeler presentations. 🙂
Nice work on this.
Thanks Tom (@tcinla), I was thinking I was being way too careful.
But...I think I figured a way how to get properly scaled overspray - now I just need to find the correct colours 🙂
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
What do you think about assembly the kit? Any problems?
Hey Lis (@lis), I was happy with the kit.
It did have a decent cockpit with good detail with engraved lines but I cannot comment on the accuracy. I was surprised that I did need some fill at one wing root and the underwing rads.
Decals were just a bit off register and seemed very stiff so I only used a few of the kit decals and used extra Tamiya decals.
Very nice result George! ?
Thanks Gary (@garybrantley)
Did you enjony AK Paints? Any problems with painting?
Hello Lis (@lis),
I bought a few more AK Air kits as I do like them being acrylics and do spray very well once you have properly shaken then up.
The AK Bottle tops do pop off, so I put glass beads in AK Air bottles for better mixing.
That would be my only word of caution, you must fully shake/mix prior to use to achieve the same colour for late touchups.