Messerschmitt bf109 G10

[FullMetal]

One aspect on the interior colors for the 109. By the time G-10 series went into production, German aircraft production was well dispersed to sub contractors due to the allied bombing campaigns. The sub contractions would usually paint their components at their location, and send them to the next location for final assembly, where they were not repainted into a single shade. So the gear doors could conceivably be in RLM 76 on both sides, the gear struts in RLM 66 or 02, and the wheel wells in BMF, RLM 02, or RLM 76 depending upon the paint situation at the manufacturing location. Late production aircraft captured in the last few months of the war often show this sort of patchwork look. The emphasis was on getting the aircraft built and into service as quickly as possible, not on making everything look uniform and parade ground ready.

Thanks for this complete and accurate info....but now I have one question ...this means I don’t have to do the canvas covers in the landing bays???

[FullMetal]

Greg,

I really hesitated to make a comment at first due to the high level qualities of your craftsmanship but certain things did jump out at this late stage of your build that I thought if I didn’t mention (and I must admit Carlos saw and commented first) on the landing gear strut assembly that led to further inquiries.

One of things that kept me here on this forum was learning from the other modelers here and if this helps you in some small way to better understand the prototype than my aim has been successful.

I’m glad you remain open and flexible as you seek a higher standard of building.

Bruce

Note: I limited myself to actual photos, the color swatch books left behind after the war ended and finally on Zoukei Mura’s research. The walk around was to share details as I believe you are very detail oriented in your work style.

Dear Bruce,
With me, never, ever hesitate to comment and give suggestions; I’m super happy to learn from other people.
I don’t know everything and infos from fellow scale modelers, historian and experts really helps me to improve my skills and knowledge.

Once I was doing a Vietnam War diorama, concerning the SOG and the Green Hornets, and I was struggling...and guess what...a Veteran, who was with the Green Hornets, helped me to make a better job....

I will always be open to discussion because if you teach me on some stuff I can teach you other stuff you don’t know....this is what a Forum should be....if not...Whatever...

[speedgraflex]

Greg,

Thank you. Your response is greatly appreciated and warmly received.

As far as adding canvas covers—apparently there were two covers per side, with one wrapping around the wheel well and the other covering the interior of the strut bay—and as far as I know about production availability these covers were included with all aircraft through the K. I think with the K things were about as far off the rails as production could be. Still, it has been suggested and not criticized that during the war Germany was at the top of the production line status. How this was achieved would sadly devolve into labor camps. With these thoughts I’m thinking of the rocket program in particular. However I just can’t imagine a necessary component being left off. This is not a Frankenstein subject; this is a late ‘44 production aircraft of a design that was developed and perfected by the extreme usage of war. If it was necessary it would be present.

I’ve added a few photos. One is a G-10 with the canvas present but very hard to see. The metal ties look unpainted on the strut to my eyes, as well. The other is a close up of a modern interpretation by a museum and quite a nice color photo of yet another G-series (G-6?) being refueled which gives another interpretation of the interior of the landing gear cover which here looks quite grey… blue.

[Stikpusher]

Interesting photo here that you found Bruce! This appears to be a 109G-5, which had a pressurized cockpit and is identified by the lack of a small vent in front of the windscreen on the left side. (I forget off the top of my head which R-_ armament sub variant it is when the underwing 20mm guns are installed)

[cbaltrin]

One aspect on the interior colors for the 109. By the time G-10 series went into production, German aircraft production was well dispersed to sub contractors due to the allied bombing campaigns. The sub contractions would usually paint their components at their location, and send them to the next location for final assembly, where they were not repainted into a single shade. So the gear doors could conceivably be in RLM 76 on both sides, the gear struts in RLM 66 or 02, and the wheel wells in BMF, RLM 02, or RLM 76 depending upon the paint situation at the manufacturing location. Late production aircraft captured in the last few months of the war often show this sort of patchwork look. The emphasis was on getting the aircraft built and into service as quickly as possible, not on making everything look uniform and parade ground ready.

Thanks for this complete and accurate info....but now I have one question ...this means I don’t have to do the canvas covers in the landing bays???

Outstanding work and detail on your 109 FullMetal. Have not been around much lately but have been trying to keep up on this particular build as I love 109's and late ware versions in particular.

Not sure it's been mentioned in this thread or not but to take what Carlos is saying to one more level. At this late stage of the war. I highly doubt RLM colors were consistent across manufacturers with the limited resources Germany had(which included paint).

Generally speaking, in scale modeling, some folks seem to have overblown interest in color accuracy, and this always makes me laugh a little bit inside, but with late war axis aircraft, my amusement is multiplied exponentially. Now that's just my point of view/opinion. If researching colors or research in general is how someone else enjoys the hobby, that's great. And look, it generates model related conversation like this right here and that is great as well. But for me, any bottle of paint that says RLM 02 on it is generally good enough. Happy modeling

[Gary Brantley]

It seems like a pretty big gap behind those engine covers! Couldn't they use any putty or CA glue there?

Greg, you're doing some masterful work on this warbird!

[FullMetal]

Thank you ALL for your support and kind comments.

OK Bruce...I will do the canvas protection.... thank you again for your help and pictures

[speedgraflex]

Greg,

I’m looking forward to how you resolve any additional details and thank you in advance for your willingness to take critique. In my experience, many model builders and I dare add cautiously most humans, do not sincerely ask for criticism. It’s usually a cover or code for desiring a compliment which often is just as important.

Also, it’s important we share and post ideas, but to do so with good manners. Otherwise there’s no point in communicating.

I can think of several quite simple ways to make the canvas covers simply slip in place. Thin styrene would be one method. Further details could be added with light scribing to suggest the stitches.

You could try a scrap of thin fabric wrapped around a styrene ring, perhaps.

Cheers,

Bruce

[Gary Brantley]

You could try a scrap of thin fabric wrapped around a styrene ring, perhaps.

One might use some CVA-soaked tissue wrapped around an appropriately sized ring and when stiff, cut to shape and insert that into the wheel well.

[speedgraflex]