Revell 1/32 Bf 109G-4 Conversion
Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2

by Jamie Haggo

ProModeler's 1/32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109G-4 is available online from Squadron.com

This is the aircraft Major Hans ‘Assi’ Hanh was flying when he was shot down near Staraya, Russia on the 21 Febuary 1943 by a La-5 flown by Russian ace Starshiiy Leytenant Pavel Grazhdanikov.

At that time Assi Hanh had amassed a total of 108 kills on the Western and Eastern fronts. Hanh was captured after a forced landing behind enemy lines and spent the next 7 years in Soviet captivity.

To model Major Hanh’s last Bf-109 the Revell G-4 version needs to be back dated to the G-2 version. This is a relatively simple procedure. I decided to leave the cockpit alone since I was unsure whether there were any differences, I assumed that there would be none of any major significance, I did however add some Eduard etched seat belts. After the cockpit had been sprayed with RLM 66, washed and dry brushed it was assembled and left aside while I stuck the fuselage together. I was initially worried about the join between the front and rear fuselage halves as I really do not like joints along panel lines, I need not have worried as Hasegawa (where the moulds originate) have tooled these to perfection. To complete the fuselage the cowling was put together. To cater for the different gun troughs, the top part of the cowling is separate leaving a visible join. There is no panel line here so any visible evidence needs to be eliminated using filler and wet and dry.

The rest of the kit was assembled as per the instructions apart from the upper wing bulges were omitted. I did not have a photo of this particular machines tail so as to determine whether the tail wheel was blanked over as moulded in the kit (the lazy option) or if there was a recess for a retractable unit. I went for the difficult option and opened this out as I felt this was most likely to be accurate. I used a large diameter syringe needle inserted in the rear fuselage to take the modified tail wheel leg. It is too far forward according to the drawings I have but I could see no easy option to mount it in the recess so I compromised. Another compromise was the size of the tail wheel which is of smaller diameter than the kit’s G-4. I did not have a suitable unit in my spares box so left it as it was, you never know, since I do not have a photo of this area this could be accurate, maybe….possibly…..hmmmmm!

Once the model was masked and primed and pre-shaded I started on the fun bit, the painting. I used my own mix of Tamiya paints for the RLM 76, I reckon from the colour photos of wartime vintage (I know, "danger Will Robinson") and contemporary pictures of original components (mild caution Will Robison) that RLM 76 maybe a bit paler than people think. There, I think that has set the cat amongst the pigeons!

This was then post shaded with a lightened mix for the centre of the panels and a darker mix with greys and browns for the panel lines. This was then masked then a plain old RLM 74/75 scheme was sprayed on with Vallejo acrylic, the canopy was masked inside and out with RLM 66 sprayed on the inside and camouflage on the outside..

Lastly the yellow panels were sprayed, again using Vallejo and post shaded. The yellow was then masked in preparation for the fun bit, the temporary white distemper. This was done using thin coats of ‘dirty’ Vallejo white with the fine nozzle of my Aztec fitted; the effect was slowly built up using various shades of white.

The next phase was a gloss varnish, again Vallejo. This was the first time I had used this companies varnishes and I am mightily impressed.

After the Eagle-Cals decals were applied (don’t you just love temporary winter schemes, almost no stencils), the white was oversprayed on the yellow nose panel and the spinner. I think I boobed the spinner, I think it must be ¾ white, not RLM 70. Anyway, once all the fiddly bits were added my first ever 1:32 kit was finished. This is my favourite model in my cabinet and I have another one at the top of my stash, I think I maybe a convert to 1/32 scale.


 

Messerschmitt Bf 109 Modelling Manuals 17 US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99 Publisher: Osprey Publishing Publish Date:  January 25, 2002 Details: 64 pages; ISBN: 1841762652 Shop Buy it from Osprey Publishing

Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2004 by Jamie Haggo
Except WWII Hahn image
Page Created 03 September, 2004
Last Updated 24 December, 2007

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