This all started with a venerable 1/72 Hasegawa Me-109G a good friend sent me recently (thanks a million, hamsterman!).
You've got to admit, that's some sweet box art.
What's inside the box may look simple, but it's absolutely cutting edge for 1976, the year it was released. Unfortunately, I didn't take sprue shots and my Google-fu is weak so I couldn't come up with any, but I'm sure many of you have built one and these kits often show up on vendor tables.
Of course, mine was going to be a little different.
While playing around with some parts, I was astonished at how well an Airfix Henschel 123 cowling fit.
It fit so good in fact, no engine cylinders were needed and I could just set it there without glue.
Something had to be done about those exhaust stubs, so I boxed them in with card for a pipe.
Hat tip to Frank for suggesting this. I was going to use putty but this was sooo much easier.
While I was at it, I decided to add lower landing gear doors.
Then I stuck the wings on along with the horiz stabs. After that it was off to the paint shop.
The old hairy stick was trotted out and loaded up with a lot of Polly Scale SP Lettering Gray acrylic. The canopy was tinted on the inside with Testors Royal Blue. Guns were given a custom mix as were those exhausts. The rudder stripes were done freehand in Flat Black and Insignia Yellow.
Decals were from spares but I had to paint the dot between the codes. That was fun.
It took me a couple of weeks to build this model as I lost the original cowl and had to wait on a replacement.
I'd like to thank Bill for sending me both the Me-109G and the Hs-123 kits! I couldn't have done it without him!
Before I forget, here's a couple of "money shots" (U.S. penny for scale):
I'd like to thank Señor Ysi for moderating this GB and the rest of you playing along or just taking a look.
I've got one more
Habsburgerreich Luftfahrtruppen project planned for this GB. Will I get it done in time?
Stay tuned.
Brian da Basher