Red Tulip 109 K from Eduard
My take on the newest K version of Eduard's 109 lineage.
Their weekend box, some PE seatbelts from one of their generic Luftwaffe sets and the specific masks to paint this machine.
Made some minor improvements over a few missing details on the plastic based on info gathered from my JaPo book and a couple articles online including one posted here on iModeler.
One detail I failed to do properly is the canopy cable which should have a tiny spring in it.
I also changed the lower wing crosses since I found them a bit small comparing to my sources. The new one came from the spare decal stash.
Painting the tulip was a chore since the masks were vinyl and don't settle over the nose contour and bumps very well. I wonder why didn't Eduard used their regular Kabuki type mask paper instead…
Painted with a mix of Gunze and MRP, and a 50/50 mix of gunze 75 and white for the RLM 75 areas.
Happy 2025 everyone!
Absolutely wonderful, Pedro!
Good use of your resources to determine the correct size of the lower wing crosses.
Wishing you a Happy, Prosperous 2025!
@fiveten
Thank you Spiros my friend! And a great modelling 2025 to you 😉
Outstanding paint job and weathering.
@atjoe
Thank you John
Wow Pedro very nice build of the K, especially of the tulip.
I have this same kit so I have questions. Eduard has one painting the gear legs for Ks with the 87 triangle RLM66, is this correct? Also the vertical tail colors, it looks to be a separate sub-assembly painted with hard masks in 81/83 more than 74/75. And was 81/82/83 ever used on K top surfaces? Thanks.
@kahu
Thank you for the feedback David.
To my best knowledge, the red painted landing gears are a visual indication for the specific use of a higher octane fuel than the standard 87 Octanes. The Fuel triangle stencil is also different than the regular one for 87.
As for your paint use in late in these late war 109s, yes the mid 44 to the end of war aircraft were being build in scattered factories and workshops and finally assemble near one of the main producer facilities and airfields, so a lot of patched camouflage colours were the norm at least in fighters. There was a batch of K models that was painted in a solid 81/82/76 sometimes also using 77 and 83.
I went for a solid 81 brownish shade with a 83 solid mottle on the tail of this one.
Thanks Pedro for the answers.
I am finding what a grab bag late war Luftwaffe fighters can be. My Eduard K-4 is going to be this oddly painted beast.
Using Sky Type S for the oddball RLM 76 instead of the Vallejo RLM 84 which is too gray.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
@kahu
If I may suggest, Sky type S looks a bit too greenish to mimic the “84”.
There are good options available from Gunze, AK and MRP and Vallejo Air (used this one long ago but it’s a good one) available. Others may be but I have no experience with them so cannot vouch for them
Pedro (@holzhamer),
About this missing spring issue in the canopy . . . unless your an academic the majority of us who are too busy looking at your subtle painting and weathering haven't noticed it. I don't think the spring issue will count as a negative against your gifts and talents. Some strong work in the paint dept.
@stephen-w-towle
Thank you for the nice yet humorous feedback, made my day Stephen
Excelente Pedro!
@mvtb
Obrigado Marcus!
Paint work is fantastic, and I love that scheme. I'm not much of an expert on Luftwaffe schemes, and I don't recognize that tan color on the fuselage sides and bottom. Can you tell me what that is. In fact, what is the wing undersides, and the two-tone upper camo as well (just to clarify)? I saw your comments about the tail color above. Thanks!
@gkittinger
Hey Greg, thank you for the feedback! Now the paint used on the upper decks is the regular RLM 74/75. The 75 is much more lighter than usual because I mixed a 50/50 white ratio, and did some occasional spray with a lighter 74 on certain spots, just to break the uniformity of the shade.
The tan color is what was once called RLM84 by some authors and paint brands but recent work can’t trace a proper reference for it by the RLM. We can also assume it’s a 76 blue that was produce with inferior raw materials or bad mix and turned out a bit egg shell shade. The underside of the wings and elevators is regular 76 btw
Perfect - thanks!
This is the kind of finished product I aspire too. You did a wonderful job. My little knowledge is that by late war the German machines were almost individually finished and painted and with lots of field modifications. Your looks amazing to me.
@markhedrick
Thank you Mark, I’m sure you can produce wonderful models also
This is a fantastic Red Tulip build, Pedro @holzhamer
Maybe not the easiest masks to work with, but the Tulip turned out beautiful, just like the rest of this build.
Excellent work on the painting and weathering as well.
Wishing you a wonderful and healthy 2025
@johnb
Hello John, how are you my friend? Wishing you a fantastic 2025 also, and hopefully with some more great models here 😉
Good looking build! Thanks for sharing.
Rod
Thank you Rod
Simply outstanding, Pedro @hlozhamer. One of your best!
@eb801
Thank you Eric, it was a fun canvas
ehlecas! coisa mais catita 🙂 wonderful work Pedro @holzhamer congratulations!
@magrus
Obrigado Manuel! Have a great modelling new year
FANTASTIC build & finish, Pedro.
Thank you Bob, glad you liked
As someone who generally avoids the Jagdwaffe side of the WW2 Luftwaffe, I have to compliment you, Pedro, on this lovely model. I especially like the subtle, slightly weathered shade of red on the tulip petals and spinner, along with the 'egg shell' fuselage and red-painted undercarraige legs.
It's one of those models which could easily become lost in its camouflage, but the 'pops' of bright colour and the more unusual late-war shades really make it stand out. It is very pleasing to the eye; very well done.
A happy and prosperous New year to you... ;-).
Paul, thanks for the compelling feedback, and a very interesting perspective you put.
Guess many late war German fighters can be an appealing model given the schemes and colours used (often mismatched)
Have a great new year
Super job Pedro. The paint and weathering are outstanding.
@dtravis
Thank you Dave, glad you liked my friend
Great job, Pedro
@gwskat
Gary, thanks for the feedback my friend