If you guys don't mind, I think I may hop on the combo build. I don't usually build 109s, but I plan to build the Dora Wings 1/48 Bf-109A/B basically straight from the box. It appears to be a well-made kit and has the photoetch and canopy masks already included in the box.
The plane I have in mind is a Bf-109A that was in the first batch of planes sent to Spain for the Condor Legion. Aircraft 6x15 was forced down behind Republican lines and was captured. It was evaluated by Spanish and French pilots, and was eventually sent to Russia. One history I read said that the Germans recaptured the plane after they invaded Russia.
There is a lot of contradictory information about these early planes. Some references say they were painted in RLM 01 Silver, while others say the planes were natural metal with a lacquer protective layer, and others say they were painted in a light gray color. There are a number of photos of these planes, and it is very difficult to tell if they are silver or light gray. Most of the sources I can find say that the first batch of 109s arrived in RLM 01, with possibly some natural metal panels. I plan to go with the RLM 01 scheme, and it will be a game time decision about natural metal panels.
The next decision has to do with the markings the plane received after being captured. Written accounts say that the plane received red markings to cover the previous markings. I could only find one photo that appears to show a dark panel on the one wing visible in the photo. I like the idea of these red markings. I have found some diagrams that show these areas as broad areas of red covering the previous markings on the wings, the tail, and the rear fuselage. I think I will go with similar markings.
Finally, a lot of 109 sources state that it appears that this first batch of planes arrived with the panel lines on the rear fuselage taped and puttied, similar to P-51 wings. In most of the photos I can find of 109As, you cannot see panel lines on the rear fuselage. In some photos, you can faintly see the panel lines. Some sources say that the missing panel lines are simply due to old/poor photographs, but from my examination of the photos I think they were puttied. That's my plan for this plane.
So, please remember that I don't build many 109s and I am certainly not a 109 expert. I know a lot of you have a lot more knowledge about the 109 than I do, which is why I am building this kit out of the box. Have mercy on me if I inadvertently build some inaccuracy into the model. A quick note about the Dora Wings kit. I read several build reviews online for this kit. Some say the kit goes together perfectly, while some say that it required major surgery to make things fit, along with loads of filler. I plan to follow Tom Cleaver's (@tcinla) mantra for these short run kits: Test fit first, adjust if needed, then commit to glue. I know I won't be able to catch up to Spiros (@fiveten), but maybe I can catch up to John (@johnb). Off we go. :o)
4 attached images. Click to enlarge.
