Airfix Bf109 E4 1:72
Discussion
dr_gn said:
So it's finished. Totally OOB with the exception of drilling out the gun barrels and adding sprue aerial and canopy lanyard. There is one huge facepalm error I've made, lets see if anyone spots it!
The props look like they're turning anti-clockwise - is this the face paml error ?
911newbie said:
dr_gn said:
So it's finished. Totally OOB with the exception of drilling out the gun barrels and adding sprue aerial and canopy lanyard. There is one huge facepalm error I've made, lets see if anyone spots it!
The props look like they're turning anti-clockwise - is this the face paml error ?The main error was the top camo colour as noted a couple of posts ago.
Cheers.
A few things to say:
I skimmed through AMW yesterday, and I would say your model is superior to either of the 109s they built for the magazine. Whoever builds for AMW seems to have a weathering technique which I think makes the model look like it was painted with a dirty brush rather than painted and then weathered (but hey, what do I know?!)
I'm sure you would agree that Airfix are moving in the right direction. Though this model clearly has its faults, it is much better than the older kits, some of which don't even go together properly.
I think the comparison with the Tamiya 1/72 109 is a little bit of an odd one as Tamiya's pricing for 1/72 kits seems a little strange to me - I don't understand why a 1/48 Tamiya kit is often only a couple of pounds more than a 1/72 kit. Mind you, Airfix are to the other extreme, with the 1/72 kits about £5-7 and the 1/48 kits £16-20. Comparing the two kits in terms of price seems a bit wrong as to me the Airfix ones are slightly underpriced and the Tamiya ones overpriced.
I skimmed through AMW yesterday, and I would say your model is superior to either of the 109s they built for the magazine. Whoever builds for AMW seems to have a weathering technique which I think makes the model look like it was painted with a dirty brush rather than painted and then weathered (but hey, what do I know?!)
I'm sure you would agree that Airfix are moving in the right direction. Though this model clearly has its faults, it is much better than the older kits, some of which don't even go together properly.
I think the comparison with the Tamiya 1/72 109 is a little bit of an odd one as Tamiya's pricing for 1/72 kits seems a little strange to me - I don't understand why a 1/48 Tamiya kit is often only a couple of pounds more than a 1/72 kit. Mind you, Airfix are to the other extreme, with the 1/72 kits about £5-7 and the 1/48 kits £16-20. Comparing the two kits in terms of price seems a bit wrong as to me the Airfix ones are slightly underpriced and the Tamiya ones overpriced.
Marshdweller said:
A few things to say:
I skimmed through AMW yesterday, and I would say your model is superior to either of the 109s they built for the magazine. Whoever builds for AMW seems to have a weathering technique which I think makes the model look like it was painted with a dirty brush rather than painted and then weathered (but hey, what do I know?!)
I'm sure you would agree that Airfix are moving in the right direction. Though this model clearly has its faults, it is much better than the older kits, some of which don't even go together properly.
I think the comparison with the Tamiya 1/72 109 is a little bit of an odd one as Tamiya's pricing for 1/72 kits seems a little strange to me - I don't understand why a 1/48 Tamiya kit is often only a couple of pounds more than a 1/72 kit. Mind you, Airfix are to the other extreme, with the 1/72 kits about £5-7 and the 1/48 kits £16-20. Comparing the two kits in terms of price seems a bit wrong as to me the Airfix ones are slightly underpriced and the Tamiya ones overpriced.
Fair comments. I'm glad you like my version of the kit. Yes, Airfix do appear to be moving in the right direction - too slowly for my liking, but there you go.I skimmed through AMW yesterday, and I would say your model is superior to either of the 109s they built for the magazine. Whoever builds for AMW seems to have a weathering technique which I think makes the model look like it was painted with a dirty brush rather than painted and then weathered (but hey, what do I know?!)
I'm sure you would agree that Airfix are moving in the right direction. Though this model clearly has its faults, it is much better than the older kits, some of which don't even go together properly.
I think the comparison with the Tamiya 1/72 109 is a little bit of an odd one as Tamiya's pricing for 1/72 kits seems a little strange to me - I don't understand why a 1/48 Tamiya kit is often only a couple of pounds more than a 1/72 kit. Mind you, Airfix are to the other extreme, with the 1/72 kits about £5-7 and the 1/48 kits £16-20. Comparing the two kits in terms of price seems a bit wrong as to me the Airfix ones are slightly underpriced and the Tamiya ones overpriced.
The '109 models in AMW do seem a bit cack-handed. The guy goes into some detail about dimensional inaccuracies (to the extent he suggested cross kitting both versions to get an 'accurate' one), then screws up the builds themselves to the extent that IMHO dimensional accuracy of the kits becomes irrelevant. It's a very common phenomenon (if that's possible!) on forums and model magazines I find.
My technique for weathering (pre-shade, washes) is to apply it, then remove it as completely as possible - some will always remain and you notice it almost subliminally.
I think working to publishing deadlines doesn't help regarding quality of builds sometimes.
I'm reading the SAM special on Griffon Spitfires at thwe moment and whilst it is an excellent guide to the Griffon Spits, the quality of the models built for the book leave rather a lot to be desired.
I'm reading the SAM special on Griffon Spitfires at thwe moment and whilst it is an excellent guide to the Griffon Spits, the quality of the models built for the book leave rather a lot to be desired.
I guess the problem is that 95% of the model-buying public would be perfectly satisfied with the quality of that model, and you're one of the 5% who aren't. Until that 5% grows, Airfix don't have a massive incentive to up their quality control. It is disappointing that some of those mistakes got through (I'm thinking specifically of the massively oversized instrument decal and the inconsistent detail on the fuselage wing-roots) as they are immediately noticeable.
I don't wish to sound too sycophantic but I would say I always enjoy watching your builds. I think you're probably one of the most talented model-builders I've come across on this here internet. One of the things I like the most is that you don't feel the need to weather everything to within an inch of its life - no heavily scuffed wing roots, chipped props or massive dirt/oil/smoke stains covering every conceivable surface. As others have said, even though WW1 isn't my thing, I'm really looking forward to seeing your SE5 build simply because it's a pleasure watching a master at work.
I don't wish to sound too sycophantic but I would say I always enjoy watching your builds. I think you're probably one of the most talented model-builders I've come across on this here internet. One of the things I like the most is that you don't feel the need to weather everything to within an inch of its life - no heavily scuffed wing roots, chipped props or massive dirt/oil/smoke stains covering every conceivable surface. As others have said, even though WW1 isn't my thing, I'm really looking forward to seeing your SE5 build simply because it's a pleasure watching a master at work.
Same here.
It's a pity we have to go elsewhere to watch progress on the SE5A - but it makes the anticipation of the final result even more worthwhile.
One of the great things about kit building is that it can satisfy all sorts of requirements. Sometimes I'm up for a challenge and will gladly tackle an old, wonky and generally "unbuildable" kit. On other occaions, I will want a click together, easy assembly build.
Satisfaction can be obtained from both extremes - and all points in between.
It's a pity we have to go elsewhere to watch progress on the SE5A - but it makes the anticipation of the final result even more worthwhile.
One of the great things about kit building is that it can satisfy all sorts of requirements. Sometimes I'm up for a challenge and will gladly tackle an old, wonky and generally "unbuildable" kit. On other occaions, I will want a click together, easy assembly build.
Satisfaction can be obtained from both extremes - and all points in between.
Too kind! I don't think I'm a 'master'...take a look at some other builds on BM or SP&R. I'm happy with where I am, but that last 10% to what I would consider the best you can get is probably out of reach for me now.
Re. weathering, it's turned out quite well - I'm not that skilled at it, so tend to err on the 'less is more' side of things, and it usually works out OK.
I can copy and paste the SE5a WIP here, it only takes a minute. Only a couple of people seem to build (or finish!) models here on PH so I assumed just finished pics would be enough.
Re. weathering, it's turned out quite well - I'm not that skilled at it, so tend to err on the 'less is more' side of things, and it usually works out OK.
I can copy and paste the SE5a WIP here, it only takes a minute. Only a couple of people seem to build (or finish!) models here on PH so I assumed just finished pics would be enough.
The smaller the scale, the more subtlety is required. I think far too many "master" modellers are way too unsubtle.
I blame Verlinden products for starting this trend - probably in the late 70s/early 80s.
The current "Spanish" school of modelling has taken the extremes of weathering to new heights. I wonder if it is due to the amount of bright sunlight they have in southern Europe?
I blame Verlinden products for starting this trend - probably in the late 70s/early 80s.
The current "Spanish" school of modelling has taken the extremes of weathering to new heights. I wonder if it is due to the amount of bright sunlight they have in southern Europe?
dr_gn said:
Too kind! I don't think I'm a 'master'...take a look at some other builds on BM or SP&R. I'm happy with where I am, but that last 10% to what I would consider the best you can get is probably out of reach for me now.
Re. weathering, it's turned out quite well - I'm not that skilled at it, so tend to err on the 'less is more' side of things, and it usually works out OK.
I can copy and paste the SE5a WIP here, it only takes a minute. Only a couple of people seem to build (or finish!) models here on PH so I assumed just finished pics would be enough.
That will be about five* of us, huh? Re. weathering, it's turned out quite well - I'm not that skilled at it, so tend to err on the 'less is more' side of things, and it usually works out OK.
I can copy and paste the SE5a WIP here, it only takes a minute. Only a couple of people seem to build (or finish!) models here on PH so I assumed just finished pics would be enough.
I was disappointed that the racing car WIP faded but I'd still play again if one gets off the ground
The SE5A build will be very welcome, glad you're posting it here too
*alternative places are available for tongues, cheeks are safer...
perdu said:
dr_gn said:
Too kind! I don't think I'm a 'master'...take a look at some other builds on BM or SP&R. I'm happy with where I am, but that last 10% to what I would consider the best you can get is probably out of reach for me now.
Re. weathering, it's turned out quite well - I'm not that skilled at it, so tend to err on the 'less is more' side of things, and it usually works out OK.
I can copy and paste the SE5a WIP here, it only takes a minute. Only a couple of people seem to build (or finish!) models here on PH so I assumed just finished pics would be enough.
That will be about five* of us, huh? Re. weathering, it's turned out quite well - I'm not that skilled at it, so tend to err on the 'less is more' side of things, and it usually works out OK.
I can copy and paste the SE5a WIP here, it only takes a minute. Only a couple of people seem to build (or finish!) models here on PH so I assumed just finished pics would be enough.
I was disappointed that the racing car WIP faded but I'd still play again if one gets off the ground
The SE5A build will be very welcome, glad you're posting it here too
*alternative places are available for tongues, cheeks are safer...
dr_gn said:
Strange how so many people seem to start - or at least want to start - a model, and ask advice, but then they disappear never to be seen again. Same old questions about materials and techniques, but still the same 'old' people posting completed models.
Point taken 
I think I started my Cutty Sark about 3 years ago and was asking advice here. Just don't seem to find the time currently - got as far as needing to put masts on!I do enjoy the build threads though.
Someone mentioned "master" earlier - check this guy's work out, I think it's the best model aircraft I've ever seen:
http://sparforums.com/ipb/index.php?/topic/737-ply...
I have to keep remining myself it's plastic, not wood and metal...
http://sparforums.com/ipb/index.php?/topic/737-ply...
I have to keep remining myself it's plastic, not wood and metal...
Mark. said:
dr_gn said:
Strange how so many people seem to start - or at least want to start - a model, and ask advice, but then they disappear never to be seen again. Same old questions about materials and techniques, but still the same 'old' people posting completed models.
Point taken I think I started my Cutty Sark about 3 years ago and was asking advice here. Just don't seem to find the time currently - got as far as needing to put masts on!I do enjoy the build threads though.
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