Tamiya 1/48 BF109 E3 - Part III

Read Part I Here
Read Part II Here

Final pictures of the completed project. III JG.26, August 1940 - Major Adolf Galland

Read Part I Here
Read Part II Here

1:48 Tamiya Tiger I Afrika by Gary Boggs

The 1:48 Tamiya Tiger I Initial by Gary Boggs was built and marked to represent tank number 731 of the 7 Co., sPzAbt 501, Tunisia 1943. The kit was built 95% box stock with the addition of some Eduard photo-etch, Eduard grill screens, and a bit of scratch building in a few areas to add minute details.

The model was painted using Tamiya acrylics and was finished and weathered with a combination of products from AK Interactive, MIG, and some homemade weathering treatments.

Tamiya 1/48 BF109 E3 - Part II

Read Part I Here
Read Part III Here

Two years ago I was inspired by the great collection of aircraft I had seen at Eagle Quest to start the build of the Tamiya BF109 E3. Unfortunately the inspiration didn't last long, and after building the cockpit she became a shelf queen.

A month ago I got her back out and decided to press on and finish, inspired once again from reading the book A Higher Call by Adam Makos. I didn't get a chance to blog the assembly of the kit other than the building of the cockpit in Part I - but here in Part II I cover the painting and decaling process.

 

After priming the plane with Tamiya white primer, I used Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black to outline and pre-shade all panel lines.

Using Model Master acrylic paints, I began applying the main colors, starting with RLM 65 Hellblau for the areas on the bottom of the aircraft and the sides. For this model, I shot all of my main colors with an Iwata at 20psi. I thinned my paints using Model Master acrylic thinner at a ratio of about 20% thinner to paint.

In the next step, I cut out masks using printer paper in order to be able to create a "soft" hard edge scheme, as I'm building the Adolf Galland version of the plane that comes in the box (same as the box art). The light color in the camo is Model Master RLM 02 Grau while the dark color is Model Master RLM 71 Dunkelgrun.

For all of the three base colors I have allowed the pre-shade to slightly show through (not too strong!) and I shot the middle of the panels with lightened versions of the base coat colors to begin a bit of a contrast/weathering effect. I kept both of these techniques to a minimum as this plane was still relatively new when it saw service.

After a coat of gloss using Future floor wax, I applied the decals over a three day period using a mix of decals supplied with the kit and decals from my aftermarket stash. Micro-Set and Micro-Sol were used to ensure snug decals without silvering.

Once the decals had a day to set, I re-applied future to lock them in and gave it another day to dry. Using MIG dark wash and MIG thinner for washes, I spent a few days bringing out all of the panel lines. This was allowed to dry then followed with Vallejo semi-gloss varnish thinned with Vallejo thinners (and with a drop of slow dry added to help avoid "white specks") shot through the Iwata at about 20psi.

I hope to complete the model this week and Part III will cover final assembly, weathering, and some shots of the finished result.

Read Part I Here
Read Part III Here
 

Jagdtiger - "Eine Fliege in Meinem Kaffee"

Sd.Kfz.186 Jagdtiger 3./Schwere Abteilung 653 - "Eine Fliege in Meinem Kaffee" ("A Fly in My Coffee") - March, 1945 - Two 3./Schwere Abteilung 653 Jagdtigers were abandoned on Landauer Strasse in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse. Jagdtiger 331 was left in the middle of the street, while Jagdtiger 323 was parked in a courtyard opposite. Both vehicles had been abandoned due to damage to their final drives, probably as a result of a battle in Neustadt on March 22.

Jagdtiger 331 was captured, inspected, then famously shipped to Aberdeen Proving Grounds for study, trials, and eventually public display.

 

This is the Dragon 1/35 kit (#6285 - Review Here) with Eduard Photoetch, an Eduard correct length metal barrel, Fruil tracks, Tamiya motorcycle, Verlinden cobblestone street, lamp and sidewalk, and a mix of Verlinden and Warriors figures. It was built to model the less infamous of the two Jagdtigers found in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, #323 which was abandoned across the street from #331.

Modifications include the removal of the front and rear mud guards (fenders), and weld beads added in the correct areas of the entire vehicle using Evergreen styrene, Tamiya cement, and a Dremel tool. The model is painted with Tamiya acrylics in an ambush scheme, and has been finished and weathered with a combination of homemade filters and washes, and MIG pigments. The figures are finished with Vallejo acrylics and Archer transfers.

With this model, I attempted to set the hypothetical scene in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse on the morning of March 22, 1945. The Jagdtigers are positioned in strategic locations in the village awaiting orders for the day. Enjoying their morning coffee, the crew of #323 visits with a Feldgendarmerie, discussing the strategic situation, when the Jagdtiger commander realizes he has a little more than he bargained for with his sugar and cream...

#331 and #323 in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse

Jagdtiger #323

Jagdtiger #331

Jagdtiger #331

Jagdtiger #331 (Real color photo?)

 

Jagdtiger #331

Jagdtiger #331

 

Jagdtiger #331

Jagdtiger #331 (1950s/1960s repaint?)

 

 Jagdtiger #331

Tamiya 1/48 BF109 E3 - Part I

Read Part II Here
Read Part III Here

Seeing so many great aircraft models at Eagle Quest got me in the mood to try another WWII era aircraft. Where the Panther is my favorite armored vehicle, the 109 is my favorite fighter, so I thought I'd give it a go with the Tamiya BF109 E3 pretty much straight out of the box. The only aftermarket I will be using is the Eduard photo-etch seat belts kit, as the base kit has nothing to represent these.

First step is done - assembling and painting the cockpit. I will be using a wash on the cockpit in a few days after the future has had a chance to cure. The Eduard photo-etch seat belts kit is a gem.

Read Part II Here

Read Part III Here

Jagdtiger by Gary Boggs

This is the Dragon Jagdtiger, accented with Eduard photoetch, airbrushed with Tamiya acrylics, detailed with Vallejo acrylics, and finished with various MIG and oil products.

Congratulations to Gary for winning Best Armor with this model at the Tulsa figure show earlier this June. (Gary also won a gold medal for his 105 Sherman, and an Outstanding Exhibitor award! I am honored to display his work here on this blog!)

B-17 G "Solid Sender"

In 2006 I built this Revell 1/48 scale B-17 G for a friend of mine. He gave it to his grandfather, C.S. Needham, for his 90th birthday. Mr. Needham completed a full tour of duty in 1945 flying this plane for the 388th against Nazi Germany.

I completed a very basic interior, as the view inside the plane was extremely limited. The plane was finished with Alclad, Eduard photo-etch, custom decals, and various weathering techniques. Because of the age of this kit, this was one of the hardest models I've built. I still have nightmares of all the sanding that was required!

C.S. Needham, standing middle, front