Converting an F-2 to an F-1

Be warned – this is not for normal people!

In an attempt to get into the deep end, I have decided that I want to convert an F-2 to Werner Mölders F-1. The F-1 had retained the wingroots from the “Emil”, and some surgery is needed.

I had purchased one of Eduard’s Royal Class sets, and the first planche was for Mölders’ F-1 aircraft. Eduard included some photoetch to depict the top of the root-fairing, but this is not quite right, as the small bulge from the E needs to be there too.

I decided to slaughter an entire Emil-kit just for the roots! (An overtrees-kit only – they can be bought directly from eduard) The Emil and Friedrich compared;

As I see it one solution is to carve the Friedrich and add the Emil root, but as can be seen from the above that will make a large gap. Another solution is to keep the outermost part of the Friedrich’s fairing and slot the Emil fairing into the space carved out. Decisions decisions..

If I ever take on this mission again - should choose to do so - it will probably be with the entire side cut off just aft of the cockpit – maybe.. (and the I can add a quickboost luggage room – niiice)

Anyway, that’s it for now – hope you can stop shaking your heads at some point in time. Please do not try this at home as insanity is likely to set in! – Oh well – come on now DO try, it is sooo much fun.

next up will be interior

Now this is some crazy and hazardous gambling of two fine kits Erik!

It’s first time I’ve heard about the wing roots of the F-1 being equal to the Emil versions of the 109, and it’s obviously also the first time I see this “field conversion” being attempted at any form, kitbashing or other.

Full speed ahead my friend, and besides what you’ve already identified, make sure to use a square air intake, similar also to the Emil versions, Moelders plane had those. Not sure though if the tail fasteners were present already on that very early production plane. I’m keeping an eye on this thread for sure, you will do a fine job of it

I stand corrected Erik, you are absolutely right about Moelders F engine intake. For some reason in my mind that plane had the square intake, so I went to my two 109 bibles and straight my memory right. So it seems not only did the F-1 model but even the F-0 pre production machines already had the round intake.

2 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Great work building a super-detailed kit, Erik. I suspect it is rare to find your sort of super-human patience to do this type of work.

Whew - glutton for punishment! But - I have to agree - wherever modeling takes you is where you are supposed to be! Enjoy the ride!

Thank you @gkittinger

@gblair I also have had a nice little roung dot on my finger - though that was when making a "broomstickhole" as far as I recall. The marker works just fine as the oleos tend to be hidden, and this was just to see.. - and perhaps hone my drills - sorry skills - for a day when I build a 109 in winter camo, where the lower door tends to be taken off to prevent snow/slush clogging the wheel. (I'm on a learningcurve here, so steep that I'm almost on my back 🙂 )

Finishing the office

The cockpit gets some TLC with some AM details and the lower wing gets a bit of attention

As mentioned before, so far no luck in tracking down pictures of the layout of the F-1, so the good old guesstimate takes over.

The Gerätetafel is the Eduard standard styrene version, with cut-out decals, with the addition of AM and scratchbuilt details.

The lower wing needs filling of the ejector-ports, as they were not on the F-model (Eduard has left out this detail in the instructions for the “royal” kit!)

With a few more hours on this one, it is off to one of the other 109’s in line

Following along...looking great!