1/32 Messerschmitt Bf-109 G-2 

"Eagle Down" 

by Dominic Gutierrez

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This is my model of a battle damaged Messerschmitt Bf109 in 1/32 scale. I was given this model already assembled and painted (and also in pretty bad shape). So I decided to repaint and repair the entire model, just to bring the Messerschmitt back to life.

I had scratchbuilt a new tail wheel and fork, re-adjust the control surfaces and detail the engine. I chose to paint the model in the markings of Steinhoff's aircraft, probably because of not only the splinter scheme, but because the colourful spinner and cowling. The cowling was white with what looked like RLM75 squiggles over the top, this was hand painted with a pointed No.3 Red Sable brush. Johnson's 'Klear' was used as a clear coat for the decals, and as my setting agent. After decaling the model, another clear coat was applied to prepare the surface for the upcoming weathering process. Weathering included paint chipping, post shading, paint fading and exhaust stains on the airframe. The sheen on the model seemed to dull down to a satin sheen, so I decided not to apply a flat coat, it looked pretty cool anyway. After weathering, the model's back on its legs and stands proudly in my room. Now you're probably wondering how the crash diorama crashed into my head, right? Then read on, fellow modellers...

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

... Days after the model was refurbished, I was thinking if I should make a diorama for it. Suddenly, I heard a faint BANG! coming from my room. Rushing to witness what had happened, the gears on the model had broke off! In an anxious manner, I was thinking of what to do and how to repair the model. Then the idea came to my head. A crashed diorama for it seemed suitable.

So I grabbed a chunk of wood to place it on and got started. After reading relevant chapters from the book 'How to build Dioramas' by Sheperd Paine, I had it all sussed out. I sat on my workbench, with the proper arsenal of diorama materials along with some food and a drink (modeling can make me so hungry and thirsty you know...), I had began the groundwork. My mother's baking powder was used for the snow (sorry if I used too much, mum) and some tea leaves for the dark grass and soil under the snow. What I liked about the tea leaves is that when diluted, it lets out a dark brownish pigment that simulates grease and lubricants that may have seeped out of the aircraft. After dumping the 'snow', the 'soil', some rocks, bushes and some more tea leaves to simulate grass showing through the snow into the base, I embedded the model onto it's final location. Along with some figures that I had previously made, to show some scale and some human interest to the model, I placed them on their final locations with some liquid cement.  I tried some new techniques to create the battle damage, this includes making the plastic seem like wood, slightly crumpling the nose without damaging the rest of the airframe and making convincing bullet holes. The end results were pleasing to my eyes.

Overall, I enjoyed refurbishing this model and it also brings back some humorous moments throughout this project. Now the next thing that I have in mind... This model's got to go to the annual club competition in November. Wish me luck!

If you have any queries or comments, please click on my name at the top of this article. Other than that, Happy Modelling!

 Dominic

Photos and text © by Dominic Gutierrez