GazzaS Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 A long time ago in a land far away ... Ok.... 1978 Grayling, Michigan.... My father gave me this kit: Until that time, I had only known of one other 109 kit, the 1/48 scale Monogram kit with Galland's markings. At that time it was summer vacation and my father had my sister and me until school started. We were staying at his on-and-off girlfriend's place for a few days, and with a passion, I had started building the kit. Once I got the landing gear attached, I propped the model to dry. Then we had to go to Grandma's house for a few days. For those few days I thought only about getting back to my model. Alas, the girlfriend was a neat freak. My propped and drying model was never seen by me again. Nobody ever fessed up to throwing it into the trash, nor did anyone replace it. And I was just a broke kid. So, summer ended extra-unhappily that year. At a recent show, I saw the box and grabbed it up as if I were drowning at sea, and it was a life-jacket. I realize now that many parts are the wrong shape and dimension. Hinges will have to be cut off or filled, and some parts will have to be modified. But Damnit... I'm gonna finish this kit. And weather it up appropriately. ...without any AM or major surgery, just a little prettying up. Because I always felt that I had been royally screwed over that summer. Thanks for joining me as I get this one back! Gaz 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmperorKai Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 You go Gaz! I would also encourage you to let the shape and dimension questions go, and just build it, have fun with it and be that kid again. Kai 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1to1scale Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 I say you finish it OOB, and hand paint the whole thing! Finish as you would have back then, this way she won’t break your heart again. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzaS Posted December 9, 2018 Author Share Posted December 9, 2018 21 minutes ago, 1to1scale said: I say you finish it OOB, and hand paint the whole thing! Finish as you would have back then, this way she won’t break your heart again. Can't do it the way I did back then. Had no idea of real color schemes. Only had a few bottles of Testors paints. And with a brush... ugh... I can't even imagine. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drifter Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 I can relate. I was gifted with a whole bunch of KP-Plastic 1/72 models dating from early 70's. My daughters friends Grand Father was a mechanic in the Polish Airforce and he left the kits to him in his will. Long story short, they ended up with me to build. Actually very interesting reading material, he went through every kit amd has hand written notes on the instructions as to what is wrong and what not. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocRob Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 Hi Gaz, nice deep dive into nostalgia. I like the idea of 1to1scale to finish the 109 the way you should have done by the time to close that chapter. But hey, it's your history and there is a lot of AM around. Man, an engine out of two parts, if only Zoukei Moura knew . Cheers Rob 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bomber_County Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 Glad the kit found you Gaz, enjoy and savour the build...... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 Gaz, I have props , spinners, wheels etc. from various 109s, just shoot me a pm. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnB Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 Go for it Gaz. I've been considering one or two "nostalgia builds". I think the old Lindberg aircraft carrier "Wasp" will be a great start. I still have the one I built as a kid. I rescued it from the attic a while back. Certainly the worse for wear. LOL 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators JeroenPeters Posted December 9, 2018 Administrators Share Posted December 9, 2018 Great story!!! Now build the bugger! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlrwestSiR Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 Nice trip to memory lane Gaz. Here's to getting it finished this time around! Carl 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzaS Posted December 10, 2018 Author Share Posted December 10, 2018 Guys, Thanks for all of the positive props! Makes me feel keen to dive back into it... now if I could get away from this job! Martin, Thanks for the parts offer. I'm gonna stick to the kit parts just because I want to see it in all of it's goodness and nastiness. Every time I look at something I see something else that they didn't get quite right. I may use a little brass tube here and there, but that's standard everywhere I see plastic gun barrels. Gaz 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzaS Posted December 10, 2018 Author Share Posted December 10, 2018 I think I've decided on a scheme: Though there is speculation about the '12' being brown: Images for discussion only Gaz 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted December 10, 2018 Share Posted December 10, 2018 This will be so much fun! I built this kit as well, along with the Revell Spitfire. Your post will have me reminiscing as well. Cheers, Tom 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglas_H Posted December 11, 2018 Share Posted December 11, 2018 Wow, Gaz. But I built this exact kit back in the day. I saved money from my short-lived paper route and bought it at the local hobby shop. I think it was 2 bucks. My 1st 1/32 airplane kit. I remember having a hell of time getting the "bulge" to line up. So if you don't mind, I'll travel along on your journey to the past. Thanks 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Clunkmeister Posted December 11, 2018 Administrators Share Posted December 11, 2018 Gaz, this is awesome! I remember that kit back in the day. I loved the boxart.. two 109s on a slushy runway on one of those nasty cold that cuts to the bone freezing rain evenings. I get thechillsbjust looking at it. Go for it!! Finish this thing! I did mine back then as well, but from what I remember, it was pretty hideous looking. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Gaz My votes in: Got to be built! Peter 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillwalker Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 This is also a big nostalgia trip for me. I had one of these, and it went through 3 distinct paint schemes while I had it, including my first ever attempt at Luftwaffe mottling (using a dry brush). I eventually finished it using the (totally spurious!) 9/JG54 decals from the Fw190D-9 kit. It came out great! (although it did have 74/75 fuselage mottles with 70/71 splintered wings, but hey ho) 42 years later, I still have the kit in pieces! And I now have another in its box... Build it OOB; enjoy it and enjoy the nostalgia blast! This isn't an exercise in accuracy; we all seem to get paralysed by the accuracy bug from time to time. This is not one of these occasions - this is pure enjoyment :) 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzaS Posted December 30, 2018 Author Share Posted December 30, 2018 HI Everyone, With me pouring most of my modelling energy into the Brummbär build, I haven't done much with this bird. Over the last couple of days I was able to spend a little time on the pilot. His face is a bit malformed, but my figure painting hasn't helped him, either. For your entertainment I present: FRANKENPILOT!! I haven't detailed his boots as they'll never be seen again. Hopefully some day my figure painting won't be so bad. Thank you for sharing my nostalgic trip. Gaz 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drifter Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 That pilot looks good Gaz. Figure painting is a whole different art. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzaS Posted December 30, 2018 Author Share Posted December 30, 2018 Thanks Bro! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocRob Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 He sure looks a little weird, but that seems to be caused by the plastic not the paint job. Luckily you can't see the screws on the side of the head, because of the leather helmet . Cheers Rob 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmperorKai Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 Gaz- considering Revell pilots are born ugly to begin with, you did an awesome job. Keep going buddy. Kai 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_S Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 This build brings back fond memories for me as well! I remember adding mottling with a piece of sponge dipped in Pactra paint. It came out surprisingly well; I was really proud of that one. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmperorKai Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 Still have some of those old Pactra paints. 30 cents a bottle- Blasphemy! Kai 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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