Matt_

Hi Rich Good to see an 'edited highlights' version... it is an epic undertaking! I'm impressed you've stuck with it for so long. Will this be at Telford this November? Matt

Taurus's parts for the engine are quite remarkable. Various valve, lifter and cam sets available, spark plugs and something I just bought - the very characteristic manifold attaching nuts - crenelated things - look great.... Matt

I must say that, having checked my refs, a totally accurate Erla 109G-10 (or K-4 - apparently there is a K-4 with the Erla refined cowls) has a different stbd wing fairing at the front. Shaped to clear the lower engine mount, as that part is attached to the 'common' fuselage section a new fuselage half would be required... Matt

Very interested that you've worked out a method of getting the parts to the modeller without need to remove from carrier sheet. Will that include the transparencies? Those are often the parts that cause the most dread... Look forward to seeing some more progress.. Matt

That is very impressive work and a very satisfying finish... Nice work James. Matt

These also look great.... I think though, Roy should be persuaded to produce some tail wheels to go with these.... Having said that, MDC do some nice tail wheels for the 109G-6 through K... Matt

Excellent review Nick. They do look fantastic and as you say, on a different plane of existence to the other sets... Matt

Thanks Nick I strongly suspect that the way in which the Revell kit is engineered indicates that they'll do the 'standard' and Erla G-10s....? If they don't, it'd be relatively straightforward for aftermarket to do so.... One conversion I forgot about is this http://www.capehobby.com/Aircraft_Resin_Models_CHG--BF109H_CONVERSION_KIT_2.html though it is something of an unknown quantity, especially in terms of what a/c it actually represents... Matt

Ian You asked how many versions there were. This link takes you to an 'entry level resume http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109_variants#Bf_109_A.2FB.2FC.2FD You also asked what could be modelled. The early versions (A, B, C & D) are catered for by the A2Zee series of Alley Cat conversions (designed to fit the Eduard kit) link http://www.a2zeemodels.co.uk/alley-cat-aircraft-sets-132-scale-325-c.asp these are all excellent and easy to use. He also makes a conversion to make the Bf 109T (Trager - aircraft carrier) version. Again, very nice resin and well thought out conversion. Floyd Werner makes a couple of conversions for the Eduard kit to make pre war competition aircraft. Link http://www.wernerswings.com/product.html - scroll down to the 'SPECIAL RELEASES/ LIMITED EDITIONS' There is still a good quality Aires conversion for the Hasegawa (Revell) Bf 109G-4/6 kits, gives you all you need to convert these to an F-1/2/3/4 (I think). Radu Brinzan makes a decal and conversion to make the Bf 109Ga-6, a Romanian G-6 with different guns and a different bulge over them. Link http://www.radubstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_65&products_id=190 Best way to see what's available is to use Hannants' search engine. A search for 1/32 Bf 109 came back with 277 results - http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/index.php?product_category_id=&product_division_id=&manufacturer_id=&code=&product_type_id=&scale_id=953&keyword_search=Bf+109&setPerPage=25&currency_id= Another nice link of 1/32 109 add ons etc is here http://www.ultracast.ca/Aircraft%20Accessories%20-%2032%20Scale%20-%20Bf%20109.htm What isn't available...? Biggest omission in my view is the Bf 109V-1, first of them all. Bf 109G-12 two seat trainer sorely needed, Though maybe out of your sphere of interest, Grey Matter have just released a beautiful Hispano Buchon conversion for the Hasegawa G-4/6 http://www.greymatterfigures.com/index.php?p=2&id=121. Finally, Ciro Models make a 1/32 conversion to make the Hasegawa Bf 109G-14 into an Avia CS-199 (also used by Israel). So, you can do most of the Bf109 series, just that 109V-1 and G-12 really needed.... Matt

That looks great. Like the technique as well.. Matt

Clever moulding in that last photo, undercarriage and cabanes with fuselage... Matt

Darren Seeing your hand suddenly appear in a photo makes me remember just how small this finished bird is! The photos give it the look and mass of the real thing, detail is exemplary and I do very much like the finish of the wood. It's an inspirational build, and you are too humble in your replies as this work shows you have mastered several not so simple assembly and finishing techniques (and I say that as someone who hasn't anywhere near mastered them). I can only wait with eager anticipation of what is to come next.. Matt

Beauty Simon! Wish I was producing such good work when I was 15.... Matt

Nice work Nick Your scratchbuild looks to be shaping up very nicely, somewhat cleaner and sharper details than the kit you've built. Don't get me wrong, the 1/35 job looks pretty cool... Matt

Happy birthday... Plenty of plastic presents...? Matt

Great stuff Cees I always like watching one of the old kits getting jazzed up. Nice work. Matt

Falcon have done beautiful canopy and gun turret sets in 1/48 for years, maybe the arrival of 1/32 bombers will persuade them to put something together? They have produced some 1/32 items for Squadron. Rob Taurus also makes nice canopies in 1/48 vac... I have asked him if 1/32 was on the horizon and he said he'd think about it.. Sorry Nick, I know you won't touch vac canopies (I'm not exactly keen on them myself).. Maybe, given the Arado canopy set, A2Zee would consider doing some further sets in resin? Less intimidating than vacform..... Matt

Mike "Hoping they correct it before the final article is released." Same here, let's see if they do.... not long to wait. Matt

Maybe casting copies of the Hasegawa 'beule' (the MG131 feed chute fairings) will work. As long as the fuselages have the same section in this area...? Both kits have pros and cons, I do agree with Wumm though that it's a shame that Revell didn't manage to claim the 'best '32nd Bf109G' crown - they were so close. I'll give at least one of these a go, and knowing that at some point they'll probably end up at £10 each at shows or somewhere like Modelzone, probably a lot more.... . The engineering of the wings and fuselage looks to allow the 109G-10 to be kitted by swapping out a few panels (even various AS versions - the G-5, 6 and 14). Those kits would have definite edge over the Has kits as the canopy and fuselage spine would be free of the flattened profile that afflicts Has's effort. They may even be able/considering working backwards to do early Gs and even the F..... so not all gloom and doom.... Matt

Ralph, remember this one from when you posted on LSP. Still one of my favourite/most admired late war (or any period for that matter) Luftwaffe finishes. Didn't you do an absolutely cracking black Bf 110 nightfighter..? That would be nice to see again.... Matt

The FLY Natter is pretty good, though as some have mentioned isn't cheap (£33 at Hannants). Mix of IM main parts, resin (I think) for some details and a little PE (IIRC). Just found a nice review on SP&R to see FLY quality - http://www.scaleplasticandrail.com/kaboom/index.php/all-things-aviation/132-135-scale/132-kit-reviews/787-132-bachem-natter-ba-349v-a-ba-349a-from-fly-models The MDC Blitz was indeed mastered by Radu and is, in my opinion, still one of the best, most complete 1/32 models ever made. I'm lucky enough to have two of these (one to convert to a 234C) and doubt FLY would be able to replicate the detail MDC provide for a price significantly less than MDC charge. I had expected Revell to announce one of these at some point, their detail/price point combination would have attracted a different (and larger) audience to those buying MDC's kit. Good luck to FLY though. Matt

Thanks for those suggestions Once I get back from hols I'll have a go with some glue (I can't glue the Eduard part in as I need a completely transparent piece.).. Maybe super glue would work as it dries like glass and can be polished.... Matt

Maybe shake up wasn't the best term. I mean when the range of subject matter contracted just after the site was launched (post the SP&R crash). He may be back on the SP&R site now that's re-launched. He's definitely on Britmodeller with his 1/35 submarine.. Matt

Thanks Grant I hadn't realised Krystal Clear dried harder.... Future is sooo thin when it dries I thought it'd take a long time to build up even a small amount. I wonder, anyone used the cement watchmakers put glass into watches with...? Matt

Hello I'm working on the rear part of a Bf109 canopy. The machine I'm making doesn't have an aerial mast or the mounting for it. The Eduard kit has a small hole to mount the aerial. I've polished off the top canopy framing but am left with a small square depression (doesn't go all the way through). Any ideas what I could fill this hole in with that wouldn't show (very much - invisible fix is probably not poss.). I've thought of Krystal Clear or PVA, but wonder if anyone has a technique I could blag...? Cheers Matt