Peterpools

John Neat, careful and precise work, as your test fitting shows. Nice new choice for the paint scheme - definitely a colorful alternative and different. Of course, right now, I'm still planning on Hartmann's scheme but who knows things always seem to change. Yup, way over engineered on the tail and exactly the same issues both Gaz and Carl had. Note to myself - go back and look at all the suggested fixes. Why ZM just could do the tail as everyone else is a mystery to me.

Gaz Looks perfect ... the Sharpenair has to be added to the shop for sure.

UNDERWAY With the Revell Spitfire done and in the books, it was time to get going on my Buddy Build with John and of course, with the incredible speed and skills, there is no way I’ll catch up but I will give it go to at least try to stay on the same lap or so. My plan is to build the 109 OOB, kit decals and follow the instructions to the Tee, including the painting profile of Eric Hartmann’s aircraft. The only aftermarket I bought with the kit was ZM’s IP and cockpit PE set, which surely looks as it came straight from Eduard. Since the kit didn't include any seatbelts and harnesses, I purchased a set of the new AirScale 1/32 Luftwaffe seatbelts set and of course, smack dab on the PE set were seatbelts. Time to revise my plan and combine the two. Paints are going to be MRP for airbrush work and brush painting will be Model Air and Tamiya, both lacquer and acrylic. My very first 109, so the ZM instructions are going to be my guide and hopefully easy to follow. First up is the engine; a BD 605 inverted V12. Basic assembly is standard ZM style right down to the molded in cylinders. I did stray from the course with some of the color call outs. I decided to paint the engine semi-gloss black rather the flat black and all the plumbing either with Tamiya Lacquer Gloss Aluminum, Flat Aluminum and Mr Metal Color Aluminum but none silver as the instructions called for, which I thought would be a bit much. Right with John in that the plumbing does have a cuss factor all to its own. I followed the instructions step by step, went slower then slow, gave myself a good number of headaches trying to figure out how all the plumbing actually goes on and where. At the start of the plumbing, the engine bears needed to be installed, creating some installation issues with the aluminum pipes. The engine bearers were primer with MRP Black Primer and painted with MRP RLM 02. The details were highlighted with Tamiya Dark Brown, Dark Gray and Black Panel Line Washes. The entire assembly was lightly dry brushed with Tamiya German Gray to bring out the details and add a feeling of use and weathering, without being too heavy and noticeable. The exhausts and exhaust shields still need to be painted, weathered a bit and added. After finishing the engine assembly and looking back, the assembly sequence could be improved as not all the steps seem to be in the correct order. Also, while ZM provided a good number of drawings and photographs, larger and clearer three view drawings would be easier to follow. Plumbing attaching points and alignment are at times hard to determine. Photos show I need to go back and paint a few rubber connectors that I missed. Ready to start the second stage of the build: front office.

Gaz Surely sounding like a must buy for the; just in case.

Martin, awesome and now you can model an entire squadron of Border Lancasters.

Thanks Carl ... great tool to have on hand. I've only had to replace a few air brush needles in the past 10 years (I must be lucky or haven't noticed any bent tips. Definitely food for thought.

Thanks John for pointing out my terrible typing skills when I'm rushing and not proof reading. I did go back and correct my post.

Carl Awesome 👍

John You're flying now the some mighty nice work on the front office. I'm now working on my ZM 109 full time and you're so right about the BD 605 and all the plumbing.

It's here - arrive a peanut butter and jelly sandwich ago! Hoping to jump in after finishing my ZM 109, which I just started and some cockpit AM will be available by then. Revell absolutely struck paydirt and the preverbal goldmine. I pre ordered the Hurricane from one of our sponsors; Hobbynut Models. Excellent service. Now if only my Kotare Spitfire would arrive from Kotare via Carl.

Hi Ernie Hobbynut stock seems to be also dwindling as well. I've been waiting for them to receive the Border Lancaster set and the delivery date keeps being pushed back and now it could be up to 32 days after April 3rd. They are taking pre-orders but I decided to wait and take my chances $&* for the set). I did receive an email from them of new inventory coming and they are accepting preorders. I have my doubts (hope I am wrong) Quinta is actually shipping to the US but who knows. Hannants Border Lancaster inventory is sold out and they have a few sets left for the HKM kit. Just have to wait and see.

Dennis Looking forward to following the upcoming build. Surely going to be a big Gal.

Carl Should have guessed this would happen. How many times do we struggle to build an old kit and then as if by magic a new and awesome kit is released. I do have the second kit which has to be built as the land version as I used its floats to replace the ones I destroyed on the original. Of course, these kits aren't very expensive until you start looking for one.

Smart Man Gaz! I keep kicking myself in the rear for painting and adding all the hidden details for nothing more then knowing it's there. After some time in the display case, I'll actually forget the bulk of the hidden details.

Hoping Red Fox does a dedicated panel/cockpit set, as it doesn't appear as if Quinta is actually shipping inventory.

Thanks Gaz, very much appreciated. The Revell Spitfire had its issues and I guess it was the limits in R&D based on the low MSRP target but in the end, a very good looking model for the display case. I'm looking forward to building the Kotare Spitfire after finishing the ZM 109. Seems John and I are following your lead on both kits. 😉

John Nice work progress on the front office - lots of details and a lot of work. Completely agree about spending a lot of time working on details that will never be seen once a model is finished and closed up. My recently finished P-40 is a great example and most ZM kits follow as well. The Revell Spitfire on the other hand didn't have any hidden details and that was just fine with me.

Hi Ernie Completely agree- awesome looking kit and mine should arrive later today. Having just finished the Revell 1/32 Spitfire the IP looks awful (I went with a full Quinta decal set), no PE what's so ever and the kit had the old and terrible instructions. I'm hoping that in a month or so when I'm ready to build mine, the AM guys will be offering some upgrades for the kit, especially the front office, as the rest of the kit looks fine. I've followed a few online builds of the Hurricane, especially Nigel's (Nigel's Modeling Bench) and the kit is a winner, as Revell has nicely upped their game.

John Got ya and if the kit is becoming a cuss factor maybe give it a rest for a well, jump on something else and come back to it for your next build - seems to always work perfectly for you.

Thanks John Actually enjoyed the build in the end and finally was able to get back to doing free hand cammo.

Thanks Dennis. With all the small issues and always keeping in mind, the kit was only about $30, the Spitfire was a true bargain, a little light on the details but well worth the effort. Looks mighty good in the display case.

Mike Surely some very delicate work and lots of test fitting needed to get the parts to join together correctly. Looking mighty good

Thanks PW, very much appreciated. Right with you as there are some fit issues and one of the hardest parts of the build, finding the parts hiding on the sprues. So much time needs to be devoted to the Easter Egg Part Hunt over the entire build. Agreed, looking forward to both the Kotare Spitfire and the Revell Hurricane - both are going to be gems. BTW, I've started the ZM 109 and part layout and organization is fantastic - something we take for granted but after the Revell Spitfire, I won't anymore. Peter

Pete Nice work on Bay 5 and hope you keep pointing out the differences between our F-15's and the IAF ones.

Jeroen Yes! looking mighty good.