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View Full Version : Help-fixing up the ME-109 from Fiddles green.


ct ertz
05-02-2009, 10:13 AM
OK folks, I started the "regular" version of the Fiddles Green ME-109 yesterday, and I have been able to complicate a perfectly easy model. I built the large model twice, as is,and it was slick. On this one however, I begin to add things such as detail. I am making the exhaust ports as parts instead of using the printed "box" part, and I have made the rudder and elevators separate and added them. I am also building up proper landing gear and wheels. I have darkened the area around the exhaust ports but need other ideas to try and "weather" or age or dirty it a bit more.

So, what can I do about the canopy? I could cut it free and replace the paper glass with plastic but there is no cockpit interior and I do not know if I am up to scratch building one? Any suggestions on a mid way point, something that will give a good look but not necessarily be see through?

Also, I am considering remaking the blades of the propeller, but is ther an easy way of enhansing these?
Thanks in advance!
CT

Don Boose
05-02-2009, 10:54 AM
CT -- When I make propellors of FG and other fairly simple models, I glue a length of #76 (~0.5mm) wire inside, then add glue and press down on either side. This gives a little dimensionality to the prop blade. After any necessary additional trimming and before the glue sets hard, I put a twist into the blade.

I also insert a pin or another length of #76 wire to use as a shaft that can be inserted into a bushing tube so the prop can spin.

Don

ct ertz
05-02-2009, 11:20 AM
Thanks Don, I will probably do that for the Prop. I have also cut out the printed gun grooves and added the curved channels and gun barrel fronts. Which model is that you show a picture of, I kind of like it?
CT

Gharbad
05-02-2009, 11:43 AM
Don, with that wire method I sometimes flatten the wire on a small anvil, and it helps remove the bulge you get when you're finished.

Don Boose
05-02-2009, 12:06 PM
CT -- The first photo is of a 1/72 Stinson L-5 Sentinel available from Ryan Short's Lbirds: Lbirds.com - Liaison aircraft, pilots, restorations, etc... (http://www.lbirds.com/) You can read about the background of the model here http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/design-requests/1133-new-ww2-light-military-aircraft-design-contest.html and here (where you can see Ryan build one easily and quickly and see my many bungled attempts): http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/aviation/1534-l-5-kampfflieger.html

The other photos are of the prop of an Australian utility plane, the Grippsland GA-8 Airvan, and a DH U-6 Beaver. Both in 1/48 scale and both available from Design Group Alpha Design Group Alpha - card model designs by excellence (http://users.telenet.be/aviationbuffs/dga/index.html). The GA-8 was a free Christmas gift to members of the Forum from John Bowden and DGA, who usually provide a Christmas model each year in seasonal colors. The last one was a Druine Turbulent http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/found-internet/2157-dgas-x-mas-gift.html I have had one udner construction since last December.

Kuba -- Your advice is always sound. Thanks, buddy!

Don

ct ertz
05-02-2009, 01:33 PM
Thanks Don, for the links and advice. And thanks Kuba, as it turns out, I actually do have a little 45 pound anvil sitting on my back porch.

Leif Ohlsson
05-02-2009, 01:35 PM
Don, those are good props. I am doing much the same thing with the Pup prop at the moment, which is why this was helpful.

While the glue is drying, I thought about an attempt I made once to make rotating props for small scales. The ideas was to make prop, axle & shaft as a unit, to be pushed into the finished aircraft and glued in place. It is much the same as what you've been doing.

I took the liberty of republishing the notes on this site, under Tips & tricks, hoping that someone might find them useful: http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/tips-tricks/3159-rotating-props-small-scales.html#post43094

Leif

Don Boose
05-02-2009, 03:02 PM
Thanks very much for posting that fine tutorial, Leif. It is an elegant solution and a pleasure to read and to see.

Don

Romanator21
05-02-2009, 06:13 PM
The cockpit will be the most challenging to scratch build. You will need some reference material. Try to find some photographs, plans, and even look at other card models to help you out. The FG models have no formers as I recall, so you will need to create them from scratch. Using card stock, your references (such as the plan views), trim one until you have a good shape, then paint and insert.

july1772
05-02-2009, 06:34 PM
CT,

There's a free bf-109 on this site: Navarin.Ru : Download (http://www.navarin.ru/page_info.php/pages_id/1). Perhaps you can use some of this model's cockpit parts.

dansls1
05-02-2009, 07:40 PM
Some clown built a Modelik BF109 with a pretty detailed build report showing cockpit interior -
http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/aviation/366-messerschmitt-bf109-g8-modelik-1-33-a.html.

ct ertz
05-02-2009, 10:08 PM
I am having real fun with this. I still have not decided about the cockpit yet. I have not built many cockpits from kits, and never a scratch built, so I may wimp out. However, the machine gun mountings and hollows along with the exhaust ports being improved already improves the look. Thanks for all of your advice, and please keep it coming.
Thanks, CT

Leif Ohlsson
05-03-2009, 03:46 PM
CT, I had a look at the free download Me-109 at Navarin.ru, and the cockpit looks like something you could use. I prepared a single sheet for you with just the cockpit parts and the instructions for it:

http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=13707&d=1241387082

It says that it is in 1/33 scale, but I enclosed the cockpit glazing, so you can compare scales. Just print at the required percentage, or scale it in a graphic programme.

If you want to download the entire model, the url is:
http://www.navarin.ru/download/go/16698b20e4f8f4a0820fc4628ad842e3/bf109g2_agny_papir.zip

If you want to use the parts here, download the pdf file. The other is just for illustration.

Leif

billy.leliveld
05-03-2009, 03:57 PM
I like my models better with glased cockpits better than the 'paper' windows, if the scale is too small i just make the interiour black, like this;

lepercan
05-03-2009, 05:46 PM
Here's a bunch of 190 cockpit pics. Hope they help.
fw 190 cockpit - Google Image Search (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS255&q=fw+190+cockpit&revid=797879716&ei=Giv-Sde7E5KHmQfX7bW7BA&resnum=0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=Byz-SffyHo-CmQeWx9yKBw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title)
Lep

Keds_Girl_Lala
05-03-2009, 06:32 PM
Here's a bunch of 190 cockpit pics. Hope they help.
fw 190 cockpit - Google Image Search (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS255&q=fw+190+cockpit&revid=797879716&ei=Giv-Sde7E5KHmQfX7bW7BA&resnum=0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=Byz-SffyHo-CmQeWx9yKBw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title)
Lep


Focke Wulf cockpit and Messerschmitt cockpit are not the same?

ct ertz
05-03-2009, 07:21 PM
Wow, thanks. I may have to try a cockpit after all!

Texman
05-03-2009, 07:36 PM
Focke Wulf cockpit and Messerschmitt cockpit are not the same?


Nope, different companies have different cockpit layouts.

Ray

shrike
05-03-2009, 07:37 PM
Focke Wulf cockpit and Messerschmitt cockpit are not the same?

No, the 190's is MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE. And I'm not that large a guy.