Desert Messerschmitt 109s and yellowing decals
Aircraft models do not fly but, time does. During the 90s Hasegawa's Bf 109 variants at the 1/48th scale were popular among modelers. Some Messerschmitt models that I built then included 109s depicting aircraft serving in the North African front.
From the outset, Hasegawa's decals representing white paint areas had typically an ivory hue. The very off white tone may be acceptable to show some weathering. However, in the desert colors bleach. And, thirty years after the models were completed, the ivory white yellowed. Models that received matt coat to blend the decals and the camouflage had severe yellowing. Matt coating is out of my build menu because is reduces considerably the 3D effects of weathering and also seals the model. Thus, it is much harder to correct or add anything after the coat is applied.
I used oil paint to cover the yellow decal areas. Oils can be brushed evenly and can be wiped without using chemicals if applied in small amounts. Small decals with white edges were left out as a reminder of a golden era gone.
As a foot note, seatbelts hanging out of cockpits look good on models. However, in reality unless the aircraft is abandoned in a hurry the harnesses are tucked in to prevent damage.
Nice save Rafi.
Thank you Tom.
All excellent, Rafi! Awesome looks!
Yes, time flies, these models have withstood it quite effectively, though.
Thank you Spiros!
Your 109s hold up nicely! The North African campaign holds a fascination with me. I'm partial to desert camo sceames from both sides of the conflict. Beautiful work.
Thank you Clint!
Wow - those are very nice, and that was some painstaking restoration work! Nicely done!
Thank you Greg!
I also love anything to do with the north Africa campaign and these all look great after many years , I have in the past re-vitalised an old kit by applying fresh decals over the old...
Thank you Neil.
Anything is good to keep these models vital.
Nice 109s, Rafi. I built Marseilles’ “14” from that kit too.
Thank you John.
This kit is the classic meet the iconic..
Well-done models. Builds and finishes all great. Gotta love those 1/48 Hasegawa 109's.
Thank you Bob.
It is only the tip Hasegawa's iceberg.
Herewith a shameless personal advertisement, for all you North Africa fans: my next book is "The Tide Turns: The USAAF in North Africa and Sicily" - coming out next May. Also covers Free French, Italian, Luftwaffe, British and the USN (in Torch).
I look forward to see it.
All looking perfectly fine, Rafi @blackmopane
Excellent restauration work.
Thanks for sharing on how to deal with those yellowed decals.
Thank you John.
Great looking 109's. I've always liked the Hasegawa kits.. They build easily and with an aftermarket cockpit can still look good next to the newer kits.
2 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Thank you Dale.
Great looking 109s.
Those are some very nice 109's. Great work, Rafi.
Thank you John!
I’m no Luftwaffe expert, but there is photos of aircraft at the ready with seat harnesses hanging over the cockpit edge at the ready.
You see a lot of RAF aircraft with their suttons arranged this way
In the end, in war the rules are broken. Usually though, the mechanics assisted the pilots before and after the mission and took care of the harnesses as well.
The mechanics did the same at the beginning of the war in Poland also