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Playing in the Sandbox Group Build Sept 1, 2024 - Jn 1, 2025

Dragon's Messerschmitt Bf 110D in 1/32 Scale


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Here's my very first completed "LSM", for your approval (or you may tell me to "get my coat" LOL).  The WIP thread can be found in the Luftwaffe In Progress sub-forum, here: http://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/4102-bf-110d-of-iinjg3-132-dragon/

 

I'll spare the prolonged history of the Bf 110 and even all the details of this particular aircraft, other than to say that it was a regular day fighter, which was put into service as a nightfighter, when the "Nachtjagd" was still in it's infancy, in 1941. Other than some black paint, it had none of the apparently obvious night flying equipment that would be found on many 110s, later on. The kit was Dragon's 110C-7 kit, because that was what I had in the stash. However, I was able to trade some parts with a fellow who had the D kit, once I figured out that this particular aircraft (of which there is only one known photo) was a D. In addition to the kit, here's a list of some of the other things I added/changed:

 

 

*Eduard "Zoom" set for the cockpit

*HGW seatbelts

*Quickboost exhaust pipes

*Eagle Cals decals (only used some of the stencils)

*The "Nachtjager" squadron shields were kindly donated by another fellow modeller and, aside from the few maintenance stencils, were the only decals used. All other markings were painted

*Montex Masks (used for most of the primary markings, as well as the inside and outside canopy masks) and a few of my own masks to cover what was not included, or wouldn't work, from the Montex set.

*Aber machined brass barrel set for the Bf 110

*Added the pneumatic lines to the belly MG/FF cannon tray from wire

*Various wiring/plumbing in the pilot's area of the cockpit

*Details from the Zoom set and some wire on the Revi reflector sight

*Grab handles and release lever added to the canopy from wire/plastic scrap

*Cut the leading edge slats from the wing (not separate in the kit) and modified them to the deployed position

*Removed canvas shroud form the rear gun and made a new shroud frame from scratch with wire/plastic

*Made the release cable along the fuselage for the life raft from fishing line and the eyelets that it runs through from wire

*Brake lines added from wire

*Antenna from E-Z Line

*Modified the prop blades slightly and added aluminum tubing to the center of the prop hub

 

The kit is great, but the instructions are beyond horrible. Thankfully, there were a few guys around who had built this kit before me and, not only had they outlined a lot of these shortcomings in their own build threads, long before I started mine, but they were also willing to hang out and help coach me through it, which was invaluable. Without people like this, I may have had a lot less enjoyable experience with this build and/or it would have taken me much longer. As it stands, I spent about 21 solid days working on this. I think I only took one day off in 22, where I didn't touch anything!

 

So, I hope you all enjoy it even half as much as I did building it. Thanks again for the warm welcome and for being a great community of very generous and talented people. I greatly appreciate it.

 

Sincerely,

 

John

 

First, the photo of the real thing:

 

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Thanks for the support, gentlemen!

 

Super cool in all respects and built so fast too.

 

Crackin scheme to boot.

 

Congrats John on a great build.

 

What's up next? 

 

Aaron,

 

I'm not sure what my next LSM will be. I know that I will be starting a 1/48 scale Sukhoi Su-2 for a friend of mine, very soon. So, I'll have some time to think about it. I wanted to do a 1/35 Mi 24P Hind for the Chopper GB over at LSP, but I don't even have the kit yet. What I do have is a full stash full of more large aircraft that I would like to clean out. So, maybe another German twin before getting to the Hind (I have options of He 111P, Ju 88, 188, or 388, all in 1/32 scale and I can even do multiples of a couple of those! :huh: ).

 

Good build and a fantastic result, John.

 

Love the final pictures outdoors too ( but I was expecting a snow landscape

after your talk of almost snowing in up there ).

But here it looks exactly like the real thing, sitting on the apron at Fliegerhorst Venlo, ready for 'work'.

 

George

George,

 

Thanks for the kind words. I've been a fan of the forced perspective photography for a long time. It can make a good model look like a great model, just by adding a little bit of "real life" to it. If you look real close in some of the photos, you can find traces of snow in the background. The funny thing about Minnesota, is that you can have 8-12 inches of snow on the ground one day (which is exactly what we got last week) and the next day it could melt away. I was fortunate enough to have "warm" weather over the weekend and last couple days, but it's going to go down hill from there. The last few days have been in the upper 30s and into the 40s(F), which is warm here for the winter. Usually by the end of January it's down to a "normal" 0 to -20 and temps as low as -40 are not far fetched.

 

Thanks again, everyone!

 

John

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  • 3 weeks later...

I think your work is quite inspirational John....The physics of light when combined with photography, and the way in which our eyes and brain compartmentalize and define such information is complex, and really trip modelers who do not take the time to really think about what they are looking at...and why things look the way they do.

You have nailed this John, and I take a bow (not to low or my bloody back will go again...) and applaud your abilities Sir!

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I think your work is quite inspirational John....The physics of light when combined with photography, and the way in which our eyes and brain compartmentalize and define such information is complex, and really trip modelers who do not take the time to really think about what they are looking at...and why things look the way they do.

You have nailed this John, and I take a bow (not to low or my bloody back will go again...) and applaud your abilities Sir!

Dennis,

 

I'm glad you like the build and find it inspirational. The color scheme is one thing that I was worried about, going into this project. There's not much solid proof of anything in that regard and with so many "experts" around, it's sometimes intimidating to take on something like this, for fear of being torn apart for my decisions. I had to stick to my gut feelings on it and try to see my vision to it's conclusion, even if it doesn't match what some others may see. In the end, this one is for ME and that's what really matters, I guess. I've given up on trying to please others and life is easier that way. If I were building it for someone else, then it would be a different story. However, in any case, the response to this build has been very positive and I greatly appreciate that. In fact, I'm actually surprised by how much people seem to like it. Apparently they "get it". My vision, that is. But, who knows? Maybe the next one will be a disaster?  :o  :lol:

 

Thanks again,

 

John

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You can't fail if you stick to your guns John, and continue to build for yourself. In any case, somebody who wants to complain you have your colors wrong either better have irrevocable proof or was actually there. Even then, the physics of light and color are such that we all see things in a slightly different way - and that's pretty much the way it should be, especially in our hobby.

I build for me no as well John - after all, if you aren't enjoying what you are doing...why do it at all...???

From what I have seen, your next project will probably be as captivating as this one is....

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wonderful rendition of the black undersides - very convincing 

 

also, i have never seen (or really read about) black undersides with 02 / 70 (71?) topside and black underneath, but it looks pretty convincing

 

i have bookmarked your WIP thread too - thanks for bringing this to LSM!

 

Nick

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