Airfix 1/72 bf109G

[stuart]

Don't get your hopes up, this isn't going to be an exciting build, I just fancied building something quick and needed a bit of Luftwaffe proactive before I start my FW-190 for the GB.

This is the kit - I have some AM decals on the way as I hate these markings...

And this is how far I've got thus far - about an hours work here and there. There is no cockpit to speak of in this kit, just a pilot on a peg seat, which is surprising for a kit tooled in 2010.

The pilot is the most detailed thing in the cockpit in fact... (it looks a lot better in person when not blown up 1000%)

I've never actually managed to complete a 109 kit, so hopefully this will be the first.

Cheers!

[cbaltrin]

Apr 23, 2024 6:43:37 GMT -5 stuart said:

I've never actually managed to complete a 109 kit, so hopefully this will be the first.

[stuart]

Apr 23, 2024 6:55:57 GMT -5 cbaltrin said:

Apr 23, 2024 6:43:37 GMT -5 stuart said:

I've never actually managed to complete a 109 kit, so hopefully this will be the first.

I know - shocking. I've got close a couple of times, but they've always ended up in the bin.

[tcoat]

Apr 23, 2024 7:14:22 GMT -5 stuart said:

Apr 23, 2024 6:55:57 GMT -5 cbaltrin said:

I know - shocking. I've got close a couple of times, but they've always ended up in the bin.

I would never bin a model no matter how bad it is. There is always something that could be done with it.

[406 Silverado]

That surprises me to hear about the pit as well given the fact that it's an Airfix kit and how recent the kit is as you mentioned. Will be looking forward to seeing what you do with this one and even more looking forward to having you in the Butcher Bird GB.

[dupes]

It's actually a decent kit - but Airfix was definitely banking on you using that pilot to cover up the lack of cockpit! Haha

[handiabled]

Following! Should be a good warm-up of the FW190 for you

[lyle]

Looks great so far. Let go and. Let the force guide you.

[tcoat]

Apr 23, 2024 8:56:31 GMT -5 dupes said:

It's actually a decent kit - but Airfix was definitely banking on you using that pilot to cover up the lack of cockpit! Haha

Made me curious so I checked out the different versions on Scalemates. 

The 1975 molds released up until 2011 had a rudimentary cockpit for all 13 of the issues/versions. 
The 2009 new tool released in '09, '14 and '21 has the peg and seat and literally nothing else. Not even a control panel or stick.
The 2012 new tool released 9 times between then and now not only has a very nice full cockpit including side panels but a pretty decent looking engine as well.  
There is a new tool coming out this year but no instructions available yet so god only know what it will have for a cockpit. 

No wonder why people get so confused when talking about Airfix kits! You have to check into Airfix really close since there is not usually anyway to tell what you are getting just from the box. 

[stuart]

Apr 23, 2024 8:45:54 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

That surprises me to hear about the pit as well given the fact that it's an Airfix kit and how recent the kit is as you mentioned. Will be looking forward to seeing what you do with this one and even more looking forward to having you in the Butcher Bird GB.

Thanks Joe! It should be fun to build this one and the FW - I have a pile of WWII fighters ready to go on the bench!

[stuart]

Apr 23, 2024 9:28:36 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Apr 23, 2024 8:56:31 GMT -5 dupes said:

It's actually a decent kit - but Airfix was definitely banking on you using that pilot to cover up the lack of cockpit! Haha

Made me curious so I checked out the different versions on Scalemates. 

The 1975 molds released up until 2011 had a rudimentary cockpit for all 13 of the issues/versions. 
The 2009 new tool released in '09, '14 and '21 has the peg and seat and literally nothing else. Not even a control panel or stick.
The 2012 new tool released 9 times between then and now not only has a very nice full cockpit including side panels but a pretty decent looking engine as well.  
There is a new tool coming out this year but no instructions available yet so god only know what it will have for a cockpit. 

No wonder why people get so confused when talking about Airfix kits! You have to check into Airfix really close since there is not usually anyway to tell what you are getting just from the box.

Thankfully I build a fair few Airifx kits so I'm reasonably switched on lol! but Yeah, it is confusing!

Basically the G model I'm building is one kit, the other main one is an E, and the new tool coming out this year is an F. The new tool kit will definitly have a simplified cockpit as it's one of their 'starter set' range aimed at new modellers.

[stuart]

Apr 23, 2024 8:56:31 GMT -5 dupes said:

It's actually a decent kit - but Airfix was definitely banking on you using that pilot to cover up the lack of cockpit! Haha

LOL! Very much so, it's a lot like their mk.IX Spitfire of the same vintage. A very nice build but toally lacking in cockpit detail. Mind you, I can live with that - how much can you actually see in a 1/72 cockpit anyway, especailly with the canopy closed.

[kyledehart5]

I’m in for this. Love 109s but I’ve never even attempted to build one.

[stikpusher]

Apr 23, 2024 17:22:33 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

I’m in for this. Love 109s but I’ve never even attempted to build one.

[kyledehart5]

Apr 23, 2024 18:43:21 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Apr 23, 2024 17:22:33 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

I’m in for this. Love 109s but I’ve never even attempted to build one.

😂very casual and part time aircraft builder. I do have a mustang and spitfire in stash no so who knows. Maybe I’ll add a 109 at some point.

[TJ]

Really a pilot on peg . I have this kit but never studied it closely

[tcoat]

Apr 23, 2024 19:09:49 GMT -5 TJ said:

Really a pilot on peg . I have this kit but never studied it closely

1975




2009




2012

[stuart]

After about two hours work off and on - Ready for priming.

It is a shame about the total lack of a cockpit, becuase overall this isn't a bad little kit for what it is.

Cheers!

[406 Silverado]

This is looking good so far Stuart.

It's interesting to see the evolution of the cockpit through the years as Tony (tcoat) has shown.

[stuart]

Apr 25, 2024 6:22:07 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

This is looking good so far Stuart.

It's interesting to see the evolution of the cockpit through the years as Tony (tcoat ) has shown.

It's certainly backwards and forwards! 

[handiabled]

Looking forward to seeing some RLM colors on this Stuart!

[stuart]

Apr 25, 2024 8:41:43 GMT -5 handiabled said:

Looking forward to seeing some RLM colors on this Stuart!

Thanks!

Alas my decals don't arrive until next week - so they'll be a short delay.