Cyber-Hobby 1/32 BF 109E-7 Trop

[JasonGaspard]

I've slacked long enough, time to post a build thread here. This was a "Daily Deal" on Sprue Brothers sometime last year, half off and I could not resist. Reading reviews and seeing other builds I knew I was not up to it at that time. I got brave (or tired of looking at it, mocking me from the safety of the stash), I've not taken loads of photos but here's where I am so far.

The detail is quite good, the cockpit took a whole weekend with all the tiny parts, intense clean-up needed and typical Dragon instructions...

these ejection marks will not be seen (confirmed by dryfitting)








This is where things get a little hairy, the MG magazines obstruct the cowl fit terribly. I used a sharpie to find exactly where the interaction was. Since I was not going to model this open I just cut off the offenders.


Dryfitting the engine mounts/rad/rad intake and outlet. I could have left out the glue here, the fit is that good, considering there are probably a dozen pieces here...


The engine is a real gem, a shame to cover it up (and nearly impossible as you will see later) so I spent some time detailing here, lots of lead wire and tedious painting.





Fuselage halves together, here is the view of the office





There were some minor gaps, sorted with CA. I scribble on a sharpie to better show the fit (easier than paint), what you see left is the ink beneath the CA in the filled joint.





And the powerplant, the hood of this plane opens in the middle, but it was all molded as one piece. I had to cut off the front and will need to cut the middle piece in half the long way eventually.



More fit issues up front, getting the bottom and right side to line up left this mess, sorted with plastic card and CA.




This is what I meant about the engine needing to be shown, this is the cowl fit everyone talks about.


Next up will be the wing assembly and attachment to the fuselage.

Thanks for looking!

[rwsmith14]

The cockpit and engine detail is outstanding

[Stokesy44]

Hay Jason. Looks like you've got a battle on your hands with this one. Looking good so far though. Couldn't tell from the post whether you are covering the engine up or not, it would be a shame given the work you've done. Its always a tough one when you've got all that plastic in front of you. I love to show the engine on big scale aircraft but it means a whole heap of work and often much gnashing of teeth. Best of luck to you Sir, whatever you choose to do.

[Joesdad]

Hi Jas. I'm not sure it helps but here's my effort up to date with this kit. I was always going have the nose cowling off on mine, go job as it doesn't fit well at all. I've still gotta finish it (ive lost momentum), hopefully you'll inspire me into pulling my finger out

http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 53#p157374

[JasonGaspard]

Thanks for the comments guys!
Stokesy44- I will have the engine opened up.
Tim- I looked over your build before I started, impressive...and why (combined with Paul's build) I was thinking opened up from the beginning, it can be fixed but wow...what a chore!

This week I've mainly been continuing to deal with fit issues, the hood section was far too short for the opening left, I applied some 1mm card to each end then after letting it dry for a couple days I trimmed it up and sanded it flush



With the flaps dropped there is a visible gap in the fuselage halves, again...card to the rescue along with good old CA



To say that the PE hinges for the flaps are difficult would be an understatement, but they do contribute a lot to the detail.



Nothing is glued yet, just test fitting...



The upper fit of the wing/fuselage join is quite good, at the expense of the underside, I have a feeling more card will be needed...but that's for another day.

Thanks for looking!

[JasonGaspard]

I've not worked on this in a couple of weeks, last weekend was the wonderfully fun VJ 48hr build and I have been kicking around ideas about flap/slat placement before I button up the wings and get them attached...

The one thing I could address was the major surgery needed on the hood/bonnet. Several careful measurements and a deep breath...


Tacked together here with some CA and friction fit in place




Unfortunately the driveshaft and spinner aren't completely lined up, leaving a gap at the bottom of the spinner...working that out now, thinking of using magnets to attach them...stay tuned!

[Joesdad]

Ok Jas you've defiantly got my attention now mate. I think I might have steal your ideas if that's ok? I personally would have the balls to chop up the boonet like that but seeing the sort of look that you've got....well..looks like I'll be back on the 109 soon

[Stokesy44]

Hi Jason. Looks great so far. I didn't realise the E model had a split hood for the engine. I thought it was a one piece deal all the way to the prop.

Engine looks a beauty too. Where did you get your wire? I've never really had any joy when using wire and I think I've been using the wrong stuff.

[JasonGaspard]

Stokesy- yeah...I could not find actual photos of an E-7 with the front opened up and I saw it modeled both ways, many more with the one piece like you mentioned, so that is probably the correct way...I thought this looked more interesting and I've got the Eduard Royal Class 109G kit that I want to open up and I know this correct for a G so I practiced

The wire is a mix of Lead wire from a fishing store (look for fly tying wire) and beading wire from the craft store.

JoesDad- of course I don't mind! Glad you like the result so far!

[Stokesy44]

Stokesy- yeah...I could not find actual photos of an E-7 with the front opened up and I saw it modeled both ways, many more with the one piece like you mentioned, so that is probably the correct way...I thought this looked more interesting and I've got the Eduard Royal Class 109G kit that I want to open up and I know this correct for a G so I practiced

The wire is a mix of Lead wire from a fishing store (look for fly tying wire) and beading wire from the craft store.

Cool, thanks Jason. A Royal class by Eduard. I bet that's some kit.

[JasonGaspard]

Today I had a play with the spinner/prop sub assembly. After tons of dryfitting I came to the conclusion that the engine shaft was just too far out of whack for this to ever look right with it in place, I must have had the engine a bit too high. The plane I am building has a one color cowl up thru the rear bulkhead, which made my decision to glue it in place and sort out the prop support with the magnets like I had eluded to earlier a bit easier.

I found some 2mmx1mm rare earth magnets some time ago and they fit the bill, just drilled a deep enough hole so they sit flush...



I had done a bit of sanding in an attempt to make things fit better and only left myself a blending job to do...

The prop hub got an identical magnet (in the correct orientation, made sure before applying the CA lol)


I will leave the locating pins in place for a bit of extra support but these are listed for almost 4oz holding weight so I doubt it will be needed.


And here she is with the spinner in place (this will eventually be glued to the hub


Properly supported and easy to remove without fear of damaging anything...this may be my new standard practice...

[JasonGaspard]

Again, a long time since any progress on the big bird, Tonight I thought I would finally make it look like a plane!

Dropped the flaps and glued on the wings


Top fit is pretty good, I'll give it a B+




Tiny gaps at the back, should be a doddle...




The underside is another story


The gap on the right wing is big enough for some card, the other side may be too narrow for that. I'm going to let the wings set up for a couple days before I even attempt to sort this out, the top is nearly perfect and I don't want to risk cocking it up.

It's taking shape now!


Test fit the windscreen, again...pleasantly suprised considering the fit issues just a few cm ahead...

[JasonGaspard]

Continuing with assembly...the rudder actuation cables are provided as PE strips


I'm not a fan, they don't really look the part, even being careful there are still attachment points that need to be filed off but this is impossible due to how narrow they are.
So I have scrapped them and instead am using some EZ-Line




These are glued at the top and dryfit at the bottom to make sure the angle is right. I am planning on painting the underside first and I'm thinking this will save some headache


Now searching reference photos for inspiration with the paint and weathering.

[tferedo]

You are doing well. I have built the E-4 version of this kit brand and ran into the same challenges as you have but in the end with a little effort and patience it will turn out nice.

[JasonGaspard]

The 109 has been a bit of an orphan lately while I worked on my group build project. I had been dreading the step I stalled at...masking...always an awful, nauseating (literally) chore thanks to my vision. The last WWII plane I built had it's canopy absolutely violated in my attempts (if you look at my Corsair closely you will see what I'm on about). I've been after a better way of masking, I tried the Parafilm but never got on with it, Tamiya tape works well but if I need to cut it it's too hard to see the demarkations, even if I try to emboss the frame with a toothpick...I would take the easy route with an Eduard mask but I've never tried one before and near as I can tell, they don't make one for the -E7 and I don't know if others would work. I have heard Bare Metal foil works well but that too is not easy to find 'round here and I didn't really feel like spending $10 on an experiment. My wife is a scrapbooker and has a lot of tools, one of them is this little gem:


It makes stickers out of pretty much any flat object, so I grabbed some VERY inexpensive (Dollar Store=thin) aluminum foil and had a go at making some home brew BMF.


You just peel it off and like magic it is adhesive! The Xyron is loaded with a repositionable tape (they also make a permanent one which I'm pretty sure would end in tears). It cuts MUCH easier than tape and conforms a lot better to the contours which makes it easier to see

I used this on the front and back glass, the middle is just a rectangle so I stuck with tape there...





The front and back canopies are glued in and I will deal with the little step and gaps in a couple of days. Then primer and finally some color!!!

Thanks for looking!

[Stokesy44]

Looking good. Cant wait to see the paint going on.

[patrickroos]

Yeah another 109 build!!

Looking very good so far, great build including how You have taken care of the problems.

[Nige201980]

Looking great mate.

[JasonGaspard]

The deadlined projects took over last year and pushed the Emil onto the shelf of doom. Since those are done though I am really wanting to get this going again. After a very good dusting and cleaning I primed her up and got the white for the stripe and undercoat for the yellow laid down, hopefully more color today!

[JasonGaspard]

Basic paint down, need to let it cure before I can mask up for some touchups then tackle the mottle camo.

[Smiffy]

Jason, that's a very good looking tropical Emil.

[Skullfish]

ohhhh resurrected from the doomshelf! i enjoyed re reading the thread, glad youve taken her up again. looking forward to the concluding episodes.
Jase

[JasonGaspard]

Cheers Matt and Jase!

All week I've been playing with colors/thinning and air pressure to get this next part right. I finally found Mr Color was the easiest to spray without spitting or spidering.

This is what I used for the inspiration/reference:



All week I've been playing with colors/thinning and air pressure to get this next part right. I finally found Mr Color was the easiest to spray without spitting or spidering.




Various other details painted up also





ready for deals/clearing tomorrow then the weathering fun!

[Smiffy]

Jason, what is a stunning paint job, I have always liked this camouflage scheme.



It's mad how well it works.

[P51dplt]

Did you freehand the mottling or use a mask of some kind? Either way, it turned out great! Nicely done.

[JasonGaspard]

Thank you Brant, I have a Hannants template but didn't like the look it produced, too uniform...plus it would have needed re positioning dozens of times. So I just used it to practice the shapes and went at it freehand.

[JasonGaspard]

Horizontal stabilizers glued in, and applied the decals today, Aquagloss is curing...wash/chipping/fading/weathering next. The decals are made by Cartograf but took a bit of solution to settle down.

I don't usually go on about tools, but these Tamiya decal tweezers are amazing and do help with the chore!





masked and sprayed some RLM 65 under the flaps since they will be dropped


Dragon provided the swastika in pieces that really didn't look that nice...too skinny and way too hard to see, so I used some from a Squadron swastika sheet I had purchased for just this occasion ...


Thanks for looking!

[JasonGaspard]

Clay wash, brown filter and first chipping stages, more weathering to do...



The magnet method has worked!

[Stokesy44]

Looking absolutely stunning Dude. Its really coming to life.

[Diverrob]

Beautiful build, Jason! I've got a Dragon 1/32 109 in the stash and will definitely use your build as inspiration. I've got a ways to go, skill wise, before I would feel comfortable posting a build, but hopefully someday.

[gustavlekstal]

Outstanding work. It's my favourite scheme but I don't dare to do it yet, since being a afv modeller. Pure inspiration

[JasonGaspard]

Thanks Rob and Gustav! I'm happy you like it so far.

I say give it a go! I've no more than 15 completed projects myself, you only progress by pushing yourself!

Practice is the key with this camo...I spent a couple of nights playing with different paints/thinning ratios/air pressures before I got it going nice and smooth with no spitting or spidering. Then an hour or so practicing the shapes. The worst that will happen is cocking up so bad you need to respray the base color...no biggie...don't be afraid to mess up!

[JasonGaspard]

I'm very happy to report that my magnet idea has worked perfectly

it snaps right into place and holds very well, no gaps or wiggling.


I laid down the flat coat tonight after more oil fading yesterday and finally got it set on its own wheels




Getting the flaps just so was a bit of a faff, but all 109's on the ground would be this way.


Exhaust, aerial, paint touchups....almost there (finally)!

[ambientdan]

Super job Jason, that's fabulous paintwork right there

[Spook]

Looks stunning pal

[Stokesy44]

Beautiful job. Superb.