1/48 Eduard Messerschmitt BF-109F4 - Uffz. Hans Döbrich, 6./JG 5 1942

This aircraft was flown by Uffz. Hans Döbrich, 6./JG 5, Petsamo, Finland, September 2, 1942. Döbrich was credited with 65 victories and he was downed three times. He was seriously wounded during the last incident and never flew a combat sortie again.

In the second half of 1942, II./JG 5 was equipped with Friedrichs manufactured for service in a tropical environment.  The desert camouflage colors consisting of RLM 79 and RLM 78 were applied at the factory. Feldflugpark (Repair Field Unit) in Pori added segments of RLM 74/70 (or RLM 75/71) that helped to protect Bf 109Fs in the North. (the info above is basically copied from the Eduard Instructions).

I chose to use RLM 75/71 instead of  RLM 74/70 as this  combination looked nicer to me.

The Kit

• 1/48 Eduard  BF-109F4  No. 82114 - These kits are very nice although on my example the hatch on the underside needed re-scribing as the detail was a bit soft. 

Aftermarket

• None, this is all from the box. - I wasn't impressed with the decals though, whilsit thin they were very susceptable to sticking to themselves. 

The Paint

• Mr Color Lacquers for RLM 02 and RLM 71
• Mt Hobby Aqueous for RLM 75, RLM 65, RLM 04 and  RLM 79, although I lightened this considerably as it looked a bit to orange for me.
• Tamiya Luftwaffe Blue from the aerosol can for RLM 78
• Tamiya for whites and balcks
• Vallejo Acrylics for details.
• Tamiya X22 for gloss
• Testors Dullcoate for flat

Weathering

• Oil paint for washes and filtes
• Tamiya weathering sets
• Various pigments

The Base

• ground texture created with deluxe materials create and shape
• ground work is painted with Tamiya texture paints, particular the green grass. 
• Various greens and browns were used to paint the base.
• Puddle is PVA glue
• various "bushes" from the spares bax

The Photos

1/48 Tamiya Panzer IV Ausf, J - Unknown Unit - Normandy 1944

I do like to dabble in 1/48 armour but I'm far from an expert. I built this kit for the 2017 NSW Scale Model Shows inaugural Panzer tracks Trophy. 

I'm not that happy with it, it's a bit over weathered IMHO but it's complete and in the cabinet so it'll have to do.

The Kit

• Tamiya 1/48 Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf, J (No 32518)

Aftermarket Used

• RB models Barrel

Paints

• Mr Color Lacquers (green)
• Tamiya  Acrylics (yellow and brown)
• Vallejo Acrylics for details.

Clear Coats

• Tamiya Clear X 22
• Testors Dullcoate and Tamiya Flat.

Weathered with

Oil wash

Various pigments and pastels

Tamiya Weathering sets

The Photos

1/48 Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII GPCAPT Clive Caldwell - RAAF

The Eduard Spitfires are probably my favourite 1/48 scale prop kit. This is the third one I've built and all have been enjoyable builds. This one took less than 4 weeks to complete, in hours I estimate less than 20 hours all up.

That said, there are few little things that I don' like, those being the two piece cowl, exhaust assembly and sloppy fit of the undercarriage. The cowl is easy to rectify and I'm looking at aftermarket exhausts for the next one.

The Aussie MK VIII's have a heap of interesting marking options so I will definitely be building more in the future.

This aircraft was flown by the RAAF's lead ace GPCAPT Clive Caldwell, the CO of No. 80 Wing, Morotai, March, 1945.

The Kit

• Eduard Mk VIII Spitfire Weekend Edition

Aftermarket Used

• Barracuda Snapshot Cockpit (for a Mark IX, but close enough for me).  - Whilst the resin is nice apart from the seat and door, I don't think it adds much to build over the kit parts.
• Ultracast Propeller (for a Mk IX) -  Very nice but not essential
• Ultracast "Flat" Upper Cowl (for a Mk IX)  - A replacement upper cowl is IMHO an essential upgrade for this kit. Barracuda, and Eduard also do them.
• Mask set stolen from the MK VIII Profil pack boxing
• Eduard Slipper Tank from Eduard MK IX Royal Boxing

Decals

• Eduard Decals from the "Aussie Eight" boxing. Kit stencils

Paints

• Mr Color Lacquers for the Foliage green, RAF dark green, Ocean grey, White (actually really light grey) and Azure Blue
• Tamiya AS-22 Dark Earth decanted from the can. I love these paints decanted and then airbrushed. This looked a little light and chocolate in colour but after the filter/wash/clear coats it darkened up nicely.
• Tamiya  Acrylics
• Vallejo Acrylics for details.

Clear Coats

• Gaianotes gloss lacquer 
• Testors Dullcoate and Tamiya Flat.

Weathered with

Oil wash/filter prior to decaling

Various pigments and pastels

Coloured pencils

Tamiya Weathering set 

Build Threads

Aussie Modeller

Kiwi Modeller

Brit Modeller

The Photos

The base is a generic base I've used in the past for various models. A mate person I know suggested a muddier base would have been more appropriate, perhaps next time.