1/48 Airfix Bf109E-1

[Avgas]

Nearly finished this one, just got the decals and a bit of tarting up to do. I was in Halfords the other day and on a whim bought their acryllic gloss lacquer to try as the gloss coat.



It goes down well and is certainly glossy. It also stinks to high heaven. As you can see I use the latest in cardboard box spray booths so I always wear a high quality face mask and you definitely need it with this stuff. I did get a run on the fuselage side which is down to me being a bit trigger happy. I use their grey primer and you have to be careful with the spray button. I've buffed out and resprayed the run as best I can but there's still a bit of a line there although to the fingertips it feels as smooth as silk. You can see it just behind the cockpit. This is my first proper go at preshading, what I have found is that it's easy to cover up the preshading!!

[mincemeat]

She's looking pretty nice there! I don't trust myself with spray cans, unless it's big and I'm not concerned about losing detail. However, it looks glossy for sure!

I would like to draw closer attention to the jig that you have holding the model. Did you build it or buy it? Where from, if the latter? Because it's awesome and I want one.

[Avgas]

http://www.modelsrgo.co.uk/jhmodels-mod ... 48-32.html

It was one of those things I bought on the off chance it might be useful and I wouldn't be without it now. They do a biplane jig as well.

[mincemeat]

Thanks! No shipping to the US....

[Avgas]

Thanks! No shipping to the US....

There you go.

http://umm-usa.com/onlinestore/index.php?cPath=21_162

[Avgas]

Just putting the decals on and the wrap round red strip at the back broke. Tried to bodge it as best I could but what's the consensus, leave it off or leave it on?

[mincemeat]

Thanks! No shipping to the US....

There you go.

http://umm-usa.com/onlinestore/index.php?cPath=21_162

I apparently didn't look hard enough. Thanks for harnessing the power of the Googles!

Hmm, that decal issue is a tough one. You can't mud it up to hide it like armor. Here are the options as I see them:

1) Leave it, but you may hate yourself for it later.
2) Take it off and curse it's existence. I would take some Micro Sol to soften it again so you can scrape it off. (My theory anyway) Tamiya tape also works, don't ask me how I know.
3) Weather the heck out of the other decals to match.
4) Buy another of the exact same kit, use the decal for this variant and build the kit as different variant.
5) Contact Airfix to see if you can get a replacement decal, remove the old one and be extra careful this time. http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/contact

I don't think there is any level of aircraft weathering that will mask that. Good luck, I have an idea which route I would go.

[Avgas]

I think it's going to have to come off no matter what. I think a call to Airfix for another decal sheet is in order.

[Willem]

Looking good mate. Shame about the decal. Is it worth taking it off and spraying the marking in?

[Avgas]

I'd thought of that Will but it's beyond my pay grade. If it had been a straightish surface I may have had a go but it's over the oval fuselage section and I know without even trying it would finish worse than it looks now. I'm just waiting for Airfix to get back to me. Mind you, I've seen this kit on flea bay for around £12 so if the decals are a silly price I may just get the kit again and use the decals while building the yellow nose version.

This kit is now officially on hold until further notice.

Incidentally I can now recommend the Microset and Tamiya tape removal method. Thanks Mincemeat

[mincemeat]

The progress may be on hold but at least you have a plan A and a plan B! It's looking great and I'm glad I could provide any assistance...for once. I'm sure you had it under control the whole time though.

[Avgas]

Finished up buying the kit again, I'll build the E-4 version out of it. But I got my decal, yeah!! Weathered up, and varnished, just got the lid and legs to stick on and it's a done job. It is matt varnish, looks like gloss in the photos.

[mincemeat]

Wooo! Nicely done on that trouble decal. Now you have a whole new kit to build!

[Avgas]

Yup, I must have built about four of these already. Nice kit though.

[Avgas]

Right calling this one done. Pics in final reveal. http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 45&t=15162