Clear the Bench! Zoukei Moura Bf-109G14 Non-Hartmann Build

[GazzaS]

10 hours ago, Kais said:

Das ist wirklich der Hammer!
Nice composition GazzaS.
Perhaps turn the Hartmann figure slightly to his right, and if possible find him a smiling head.
Where is the  "clambering figure from"?
Where can we(I) buy the ZM G-14 in OZ?

Thank you, Kais!  The clambering figure is from the Zoukie Moura 3-figure set for their Heinkel He-219.  I got my kit from Metro Hobbies.  But they are out of stock, unfortunately.   BNA doesn't have it, either.  I fear that you and I will have to wait for ZM to re-release the kit.

[GazzaS]

8 hours ago, Peterpools said:

Gaz

I like the idea of the dio/vignette but the standing figure knowing the pilot is climbing out of his airplane, should be facing the cockpit and looking up at the exiting pilot. He might also have a little more friendly look. Just my two cents worth.

Thank you, Peter.  I considered that I would need a more affable friend.  I just didn't want to start chopping just yet.  Finding LW heads...   should be difficult.

[GazzaS]

7 hours ago, Martinnfb said:

This looks like a propaganda picture setup. I would place a photographer by them. 
or/ and
if is the pilot leaving , why is he wearing parachute, that usually stays on the seat also, why is he standing on the wing. That’s the dedicated place for a mechanic who would be already assisting to tired pilot with the exit. The easiest way, without stepping on  the cooling flap is to leap over the edge of the canopy with the help of the foot step and hand hold. 
a dog would be great addition as well. 

That is some good information.  Thank you.  I was on the verge of petitioning you for photos of pilots climbing into and out of their 109's.  But first I wanted to see what I could do with what I have.

[GazzaS]

2 hours ago, Martinnfb said:

We need some motivation here

 

Great pics, Martin.  Where am I gonna find a photographer?

[HubertB]

24 minutes ago, GazzaS said:

Great pics, Martin.  Where am I gonna find a photographer?

https://www.bnamodelworld.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=Kriegsberichter

https://www.super-hobby.com/catalog/Figures-288597.html?search_keywords=Bravo+6+Kriegsberichter&search_buy_mode=full_offer&search_back_url=%2Fcatalog%2FFigures-288597.html%3Fsearch_keywords%3DBravo%2B6%2BKriegsberichter

Unfortunately, the manufacturer, Bravo 6, being Russian, it seems most stores are out-of-stock nowadays …

Still, look for « Bravo 6 Kriegsberichter »

https://bravo6.diorama.ru

Hubert

 

[GazzaS]

33 minutes ago, HubertB said:

https://www.bnamodelworld.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=Kriegsberichter

https://www.super-hobby.com/catalog/Figures-288597.html?search_keywords=Bravo+6+Kriegsberichter&search_buy_mode=full_offer&search_back_url=%2Fcatalog%2FFigures-288597.html%3Fsearch_keywords%3DBravo%2B6%2BKriegsberichter

Unfortunately, the manufacturer, Bravo 6, being Russian, it seems most stores are out-of-stock nowadays …

Still, look for « Bravo 6 Kriegsberichter »

https://bravo6.diorama.ru

Hubert

 

Thank you, Hubert.  #3 looks most likely...   he doesn't look like he's on the Russian Front.  My unit is JG 11 which stayed in Germany as far as I know.  Now if i can just find him.

[Martinnfb]

Ebay offers some options too

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/144320493047?hash=item219a2bf5f7:g:UMIAAOSwUi9hrjZA&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4HuyAsyjVLIrDGPJW03UrJAuchLhB6O%2BzFFf3w2%2FCMhRHxbaZUu%2BHDvtABCLHGqSV1gKVbFYEpYZDjM6%2F7%2Fd%2Fb%2Fsqb9K054eDaoxok8yWEmw9u8YzjCGjRwnkHjPmV6xX9KfcqfXn3amXHIkXS8DGQWr83X01Ixvo7Y%2BWG5w3iUYzockYuCJF4hnladaBA1oqnYquqLmXg8JNamVXUVEK5zCO1pddI%2FKRz92iDLXxb7CmI4SQDBdw9VTD8plul05CUBXXCYA2LYBYTWqIbxx7TYUXzxG0U7oVbpux%2B7e5viu|tkp%3ABk9SR6KoycT4YA

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/384888083273?hash=item599d1e1349:g:B2oAAOSwhcRifz-s&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4IW1UANVDs2jtdbiK7ovyAJ6%2FEXk0ye1lh9oezyxotK6%2FMk3fp9k0QFVmG%2F4RnMXp8lmKf%2BLHb%2B7DFE9u0Tku%2BL640WMtvh%2BNBYjCuvhxhCYiYiRH0CsyaOLPOtTWE70H5yz0ugOLYIipctsePe1d5Gjnb%2F5O1n01DWUAq1tnfhCnl%2FCq1fbcuauTkufl9JPJsfpVZBLO1lghr2zPszOaaN3%2Bp%2FWHYXTMu4Knaok6NZkgxZMbBlmvL3D%2BdltvLld59AUGdSmvpnxZ8ksFntN4qbNSQwelqeqDCJhEOqZwKVJ|tkp%3ABk9SR6KoycT4YA

[Martinnfb]

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/144374566468?hash=item219d650e44:g:zDsAAOSwo4Jh5VbW&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4EnjXCCtykdx%2FCgDxz9yMQyxAGF0VLB6%2Boq5pzZ7DWigqqQpsDebwZr3T6OgNOTsPsemUnM%2F3Xha8GcWzOpxMPHqiDuvO2NjD6hz2b9aqsikz%2BXT49IBJBiz43seMD2WzM8UVFC%2FxvQlyjiypcilarihPw4BZTjpi8JmRuFFzosYH%2BpRGIQuLBr2kwfn4yznqMKmNHo0QvT3vnXcwuYlSWKf6BBU2roR%2F9TzNGR%2BaXN1PSYikDLQgkDkGXePsdfb5JAtGxHkCLdhJ2gzdtTICUqoQaiR8FmA6X2tBh5M37Cj|tkp%3ABk9SR6SoycT4YA

 

[CANicoll]

Really nice work, Gary, and love the attention to detail.  Cockpit looks terrific, even the tiny bits!  

Regarding the pilot figure, what about moving the focus forward?  As has been noted - the pilot would be facing forward, so why not move his mate to the front of the aircraft?

I have a few of the Eduard 109s (1/48) in my stash and am considering doing those next, or maybe a brace of mustangs...  You have me leaning towards the 109s, however.  You have so much good work going on here, its hard not to try and follow on what you have been doing.  Very inspiring!

Chris

[GazzaS]

48 minutes ago, Martinnfb said:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/144374566468?hash=item219d650e44:g:zDsAAOSwo4Jh5VbW&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4EnjXCCtykdx%2FCgDxz9yMQyxAGF0VLB6%2Boq5pzZ7DWigqqQpsDebwZr3T6OgNOTsPsemUnM%2F3Xha8GcWzOpxMPHqiDuvO2NjD6hz2b9aqsikz%2BXT49IBJBiz43seMD2WzM8UVFC%2FxvQlyjiypcilarihPw4BZTjpi8JmRuFFzosYH%2BpRGIQuLBr2kwfn4yznqMKmNHo0QvT3vnXcwuYlSWKf6BBU2roR%2F9TzNGR%2BaXN1PSYikDLQgkDkGXePsdfb5JAtGxHkCLdhJ2gzdtTICUqoQaiR8FmA6X2tBh5M37Cj|tkp%3ABk9SR6SoycT4YA

 

Martin...   My 1/32 figs are virtual giants compared to any of my 1/35 figures.  Might get away with one...   but if he doesn't look right...   Why in the hell does that one dude got his leg up?

[GazzaS]

48 minutes ago, CANicoll said:

Really nice work, Gary, and love the attention to detail.  Cockpit looks terrific, even the tiny bits!  

Regarding the pilot figure, what about moving the focus forward?  As has been noted - the pilot would be facing forward, so why not move his mate to the front of the aircraft?

I have a few of the Eduard 109s (1/48) in my stash and am considering doing those next, or maybe a brace of mustangs...  You have me leaning towards the 109s, however.  You have so much good work going on here, its hard not to try and follow on what you have been doing.  Very inspiring!

Chris

Chris,

    Thank you for the kind words.  I'll try to reposition the figure and see what I can do. 

I'll be glad to see what you make of your 1/48 builds.  I actually sold all of my 1/48 single engined kits, even though I had some of the Eduard kits.

[Martinnfb]

27 minutes ago, GazzaS said:

Martin...   My 1/32 figs are virtual giants compared to any of my 1/35 figures.  Might get away with one...   but if he doesn't look right...   Why in the hell does that one dude got his leg up?

I know, there is a markable step in size, but we can pretend that this photographer in from the Hitlerjugend gang.    The leg is probably suppose to go on that pile of stuff so he looks more, you know ... artsy 

[CANicoll]

33 minutes ago, GazzaS said:

Chris,

    Thank you for the kind words.  I'll try to reposition the figure and see what I can do. 

I'll be glad to see what you make of your 1/48 builds.  I actually sold all of my 1/48 single engined kits, even though I had some of the Eduard kits.

Just curious, why did you sell the Eduard 1/48 kits?  Prefer to concentrate on the larger scale aircraft?  I have to say, moving from the 1/32 Revell kit to the 1/48 Tamiya ME 262 is a HUGE shock.  The Tamiya kit is SO SMALL!!!

CN

[GazzaS]

24 minutes ago, CANicoll said:

Just curious, why did you sell the Eduard 1/48 kits?  Prefer to concentrate on the larger scale aircraft?  I have to say, moving from the 1/32 Revell kit to the 1/48 Tamiya ME 262 is a HUGE shock.  The Tamiya kit is SO SMALL!!!

CN

Hi Chris.  Honestly, I thought I had reached the end of my potential in 1/48 scale singles.  I still have a lot of 1/48 doubles.  And Eduard...   My first four experiences with Eduard were bad.   I really don;t have a good feeling about them any more.

[GazzaS]

After careful consideration i have altered my plans for the pilot and scene.

Had I placed the seatbelts in a way that the pilot could have gotten into the plane, then I could have used those great figures.  I will have to save them for the next build.

So, instead I have a fall-back plan.  A while back I went hunting for 1/32 Luftwaffe air and groundcrew.  One of my acquisitions was this Masterbox set from 2012.

 

It's just a scene probably repeated thousands of times in aviation history.  A pilot being helped into his parachute.

The figures are shaped nicely though some filling and fettling will be required once the glue hardens.

 

The faces are nothing to be proud of.  Heavily sculpted.  But since they are downcast concentrating on getting ready for flight.

 

The second pilot in the box has the back parachute used on the FW-190.

[nmayhew]

On 10/6/2022 at 12:29 AM, Peterpools said:

Gaz

Everyone looks into the cockpit and at the canopy first time they enjoy the completed model.

 

translation: "no pressure"

😃

[Bomber_County]

Gaz, just catching up. Having done two ZM , 51 and F4J my experiences are dry fit a lot. The engine mount on the 51 was also very delicate and took some alignment, copious amount of blue tack to get alignment and hit with extra thin. Saying that love ZM to pieces and hats off to them for sticking to their ethos. Your build Gaz is stunning congratulations on a masterpiece….

[Peterpools]

5 hours ago, GazzaS said:

After careful consideration i have altered my plans for the pilot and scene.

Had I placed the seatbelts in a way that the pilot could have gotten into the plane, then I could have used those great figures.  I will have to save them for the next build.

So, instead I have a fall-back plan.  A while back I went hunting for 1/32 Luftwaffe air and groundcrew.  One of my acquisitions was this Masterbox set from 2012.

 

It's just a scene probably repeated thousands of times in aviation history.  A pilot being helped into his parachute.

The figures are shaped nicely though some filling and fettling will be required once the glue hardens.

 

The faces are nothing to be proud of.  Heavily sculpted.  But since they are downcast concentrating on getting ready for flight.

 

The second pilot in the box has the back parachute used on the FW-190.

Gaz

Nice change of plans and the figures in this set look perfect for the 109 dio.

 

[GazzaS]

19 hours ago, Bomber_County said:

Gaz, just catching up. Having done two ZM , 51 and F4J my experiences are dry fit a lot. The engine mount on the 51 was also very delicate and took some alignment, copious amount of blue tack to get alignment and hit with extra thin. Saying that love ZM to pieces and hats off to them for sticking to their ethos. Your build Gaz is stunning congratulations on a masterpiece….

Hi Phil,

The 7-point mounting system for the 109 was pretty stout.  Even with one leg broken  before I assembled it, the remaining 6 points were able to hold the engine in place easily.  I like this kit, despite the tail and my earlier fitting problems. 

Lessons learned, I'll buy another when the release the next batch.

[GazzaS]

Hey everyone...   more progress...

One of the novel features of this kit is that it takes care of most of the angles for you.  On how many 109 builds have you had to hold radiators or flaps at a certain angle until the glue set.  Simple answer...   all of them, except perhaps the Tamiya 1/48 G6.

There are four ways you can arrange the radiators and flaps...  With ZM giving you different parts to make it happen with no ambiguity.

 

It's a little tricky at first until you realize that part C-2's angle of attack will be decided by the part on the outer edge of the radiator flap.  I went radiators open.

The parts are quite impressive.  Be careful.....   some of that hanging down bit is surface detail.

 

The reverse view:

You'll never see those injector pin marks again....

 

Likewise, the angle of the flaps is determined by which locator lugs you remove.

 

Next, you can see the progression without me having to guess an angle at all.

And finally, the ailerons.  If you wanna do one-up, one down...   Good luck.

So...   the upper radiator flap is cemented into position while the flap and aileron are held there by friction...  no blutack or tape required.

 

The lower radiator flap is different from any previous as well.  Remember that surface detail I mentioned earlier...

 

ZM had a chance to save modellers around the world from one of the most annoying seam clean-ups known to 109 builders:

Now...   I blew this photo up top very large because I wanted to point out something.  On this image you can see the surface texture on the supercharger intake and on the propeller hub.  It covers most of the model, but not all.

 

I sanded the propeller blades to get rid of it, then covered them with two airbrushed layers of paint.

The top layer of paint was MRP RLM 70 or 71...   can't remember which at this second.  Anyway...   the areas where I didn't sand enough showed the texture badly...   so, I had to sand them again.

 

So really...   the choice you are left with is to either live with all of the texture.  Get rid of all texture.  Or use a lot of paint. 

I chose to sand everything.

And then...   I used my favorite primer:  Tamiya Paint.

The "primer" is Tamiya's Chrome silver and Titanium silver mixed 50/50 -ish.  I kinda like it.  Tomorrow I will wet sand it with fine grits (3K to 8K) before I can start laying the HGW rivets.

 

Finally...  The aircraft I'm modelling has it's DF loop.  You Hartmann builders will have to snip it off your DF loops but leave the blister on.

 

Happy Modelling!

[Peterpools]

Gaz

ZM, like Tamiya solved the issue of positional flying surfaces with either separate parts or parts with multiple hinges - a very nice touch. But why in the world did ZM choose go with a textured finish on all the plastic parts? Is it a cost saving measure by not polishing the molds as much as need be? Who knows, surely not me.

 

 

[GazzaS]

Well...   I'm at a cross roads.  The HGW Rivets are for the Hasegawa kit and don't fit very well.  I have a Hasegawa kit, so they won't go to waste.

So...    What to do. ..

I bought a whole bunch of generic rivets.  The only bummer is that I will have to lay them one strip, or string at a time and then move on to a non-adjacent area.  Then I can keep repeating until I decide that I can't do any more without risking touching the ones freshly laid.  Then everything has to sit for 8 hours to fully dry.

Then I get to repeat it all again until I think enough are laid.

My alternatives are:  1.  Foregoing rivets altogether.

                                  2.  Stabbing it full of holes with a rivet tool

                                  3.  Using a beading tool to make my own rivets.

Obviously number 1. is the easiest.  Number 2...  I really hate the look of rivet holes.  And I am notorious to myself for being unable to maintain a straight line, even using a straight edge.   I have used a beading tool for small things...   but never an entire model.  And then I have to worry about spacing as well as maintaining a straight line.

 

Any thoughts you could add?

[CANicoll]

Oh man.  This is the first I've heard about the texture on the ZM plastic and wonder if it is restricted to the 109 kit?  I have the ZM 1/48 F4C Phantom in my closet so will have to take a look at that.  Can't imagine why they did that to the plastic!

Options.  Ugh...  I am with you on options 2 and 3.  I can barely CUT a straight line, or rescribe panel lines without going off-kilter.  I think I'd recommend foregoing the rivets all together and then wonder how many people will really notice (other than it being etched in your memory for posterity).  It will also get you onto the Has kit a bit faster...

Your primer looks terrific

Good luck!

[BlrwestSiR]

The texture is most likely from the EDM process's used to cut the moulds.  I don't know if they can be further machined/polished after being cut that way. Obviously the clear sprues have been polished or those would be frosted so it may have been a cost factor?

[KevinM]

On 10/16/2022 at 7:54 AM, CANicoll said:

I think I'd recommend foregoing the rivets all together and then wonder how many people will really notice (other than it being etched in your memory for posterity).  It will also get you onto the Has kit a bit faster...

That's me to Gary but I am always looking to move onto the next kit and shrink the size of the stash.Now Ernie is going to have to live to be a thousand years old to finish his stash.I am sure that with whatever avenue you take the end result will be exemplary