CANicoll

How in the world did you even KNOW about this aircraft, and any of the kits/ AM for it??? WOW..... I can't wait to watch this one!! And I feel left out. No dromedary's in my build.

You win.

Messed up the mechanism that allows the wings to swing, but oh well. The link came apart as I was gluing the fuselage together. No worries. Wing is now fixed and got the base coat of Pink Sand. Need to get the masks on the canopy and get that painted, as well as attach a couple more of the under-fuselage pylons and armament. Still working on the engines/exhaust nozzles (Model Master Burnt Iron) and have the landing gear to attach. Gloss coat is applied so hope to get the nose art and markings on tomorrow. Definitely not the same fit as the Eduard Bf 109F-4.

Martin, you are always a wealth of knowledge, experience and information! I'll be studying these photos. Thanks!!

Thanks guys!! I was horrible missing the Twins GB deadline so not going to hold everyone up this time! And apologies for the terrible focusing. Went back to using a real camera and missed the aperture. Ok, on with the WIP: Quinta IP, up close and personal. Missing a couple of switches which is on purpose as I know I'll just knock them off. This is actually 3 pieces. What is cool is that Eduard puts two IPs in the kit - one with all the relief for use with the decal, and this one for use with their PE or AM IPs. No sanding required. Sidewall detail with some light weathering/shading using gunmetal instead of a lightened RLM 66. The gunmetal looks like metal wear and highlights edges nicely. Worked nicely on the seat. The Quinta instructions say to cut off the mounting buckles, but internet cockpit photos show the buckles in place. Only the right side bottom seat belt (left in the photo) is glued down. The others are just placed, but staying. My preference is to not have the belts symmetric and I may even see about draping one over the side of the seat... The Eduard PE pedals look pretty rough here, but not sure if that is a photo artifact or what. The heel-cups on both side broke off when I tried to bend them (PE and I have a tenous relationship...) but these are the PE pedals, on the kit plastic petals, drybrushed with the gun metal. That is probably why the left pedal looks so rough. The toe-straps are Quinta, but are not long enough to form a loop but in scale looks ok. Already used the pedicure brushes which arrived this weekend! Both on the strap on top of the gun breech (red-brown strap) and on that metal loop on the flap wheel on the left of the seat. The 7mm brush was fantastic. Used the side of the brush to weather the floorboard and the edges of the seat (mostly hidden by the belts). There is still one more dual wire support on the left side of the cockpit that is ready to install. May still pull some washes out, but like the progress so far. I do like the Eduard kits. Sorry for the poor-quality photos! Will do better.

Got an early start to this build (like 4am this morning early!). Here is the plan for the build: Eduard's Profipak Bf 109F-4. Comes with its own Eduard PE and masks, but also have the Quinta interior set and for some unknown reason the HGW seatbelts which at this point are going to go unused (anybody need these? - Ditto the Eduard IP color bits - probably will not use 90% of the Eduard cockpit PE). MRP paints are going to be the base, but the cockpit is already Vallejo as the MRP won't arrive until Tuesday. Here are the fun bits. This is kind of typical: Picking up a kit, then over time adding AM to it. You should see the last Revell 1/32 P-51D I have. There is more AM than kit parts in the box! Already have found an issue with the Quinta set: the instructions have two call outs for the same decal (#12), and I can't figure out where decal #10 (a metal panel) is supposed to go. But these are nothing compared to what went on with the F-4 Phantom II so already looking like a much easier build. Too bad Luftwaffe cockpits were so tight. Hardly any of this will be seen once it is all closed up. The target subject (if you pardon the pun) is a F-4 originally for North Africa in the desert scheme, that has been modified for the Eastern Front. The camo scheme is what drew my interest. In-process pictures coming later tonight...

Tally-ho, I'm in!

Thanks PW!!

Can you imagine how long it took to paint all of those stencils???? and repaint them?

I don't see a WIP area yet for this GB. Did I miss it? I'm in with the Eduard Bf 109-F4, and likely a Pacific P-39/P-400. I have two of the old monogram kits, but am kind of itching to try the Arma Hobby P-39Q kit. Since Peter did that absolutely LOVELY Spitfire IXc in desert camo I'm not going anywhere near that build until everyone (eventually) forgets he did that beauty. I STILL go back to the RFI pics and admire the work... This one was originally slated for North Africa, then ended up on the Eastern Front where they partially covered the desert camo. (@Martinnfb If that doesn't fly, let me know and I'll change the subject). I just thought the camo pattern looked cool.

Peter, thanks so much! I always appreciate your encouragement and support. It was probably the largest, most detailed build I've ever attempted. Lots of help from you, Carl, Martin and Scott and others got me through. About 200 stencils/decals all-in and I did not do all of the underside stencils. I'm still in shock on that. The armament alone was nearly 75 I think.

Rob, Definitely looks like the body issues were something you expected, and you already seem to have a plan to tackle. Can't wait to see the outcome but especially paint on that beautiful body. Chris

I realized that I have three Spits : 1/48, 1/32/ 1/24.... And no North Africa bits for any of them. Depending on progress, I may come back to do one of the Spits. But going to start with the Bf 109 as it has a paint scheme I'm interested in. A combination of Desert and Eastern Front... Stay tuned!!

Mike, that is one gorgeous build. You pulled it in under the deadline - nicely done! The wiring of the wing floats is perfect. Just beautiful.

Your paintwork really is stellar. I keep coming back to your pictures of this build. One of your best, I think, and that is saying something.

Agreed with Martin and the others. Can't make chocolate cake out of a pile of XXX but you did a nice job with an old kit. Certainly looks the part! Nice paintwork.

Making progress! Got the fuselage closed up now and a coat of primer, as I clear the bench for the SandBox GB. The fit of the Italeri kit is, well, not fantastic. As expected... But here goes. Talk about a simple front office?? Nose weight is some cut up solder and a couple of washers that fit really well. White glue to hold it in place. Below is upside down. Lots of toothpick painting More to come, finishing this as the paint on the Bf 109 dries in stages.

Very interesting subject and your weathering technique is stellar. Perfect for your build.

And 'cutting and pasting' it doesn't really work......

Carl, That is so cool. Can I ask what the rig set you back?? Hubert is also doing 3D printing. We have a 3D printer in our woodshop (making connectors and such) but not sure that it matches the quality of what you have there.

In Hong Kong its September 1.... Just saying....

Scott, GREAT news!! glad to hear you seem to be on the upswing of the mend. Take it easy and don't overdo it.

Doesn't qualify for the Sandbox GB, not only in size and also starting a day early but pulled it out of the stash to get in the mood for the group build. Not a lot of parts and not even decals for the IPs, but I like the sand pink color and the markings. Planning on building the box-art aircraft - Mig Eater. The wings are movable but will keep them fixed in the retracted position. The fuselage is split top and bottom which eliminates that top seam - bonus!! The instructions are highly simplified and for some reason, they have been cut apart. Paint call-outs are also fairly general but workable. Wrong in some areas even with my very limited knowledge and research. I think I picked up this kit (years ago) at a meet or something but everything is there. Have dipped the canopies in Future and have the Eduard masks. But might use this build to try out the nail-brushes bought earlier from Amazon. Decals are colorful, but might be a bit thick - we will see. I expect this will be a quick build...

Fully understand your views Rob - and completely agree with you. Thanks for the thoughtful response. I know the book you are talking about for WNW. It's a good one and that is what I had in mind. Looking forward to watching your build. Cheers! Chris