HOW TO BBUUIILLDD...... REVELL’S 1:32 MESSERSCHMITT Bf 109 G-6 Brett Green INCLUDES THREE COMPLETE BUILDS PLUS ■ Bf 109 G-6 reference gallery and scale plans ■ Step by Step – tips and techniques for building the ultimate 1:32 Bf 109 G-6 ■■ CCoovveerriinngg eeaarrllyy aanndd llaattee vveerrssiioonn bbuuiillddss ■■■ BBBfff 111000999 GGG---666 TTTrrroooppp ggguuunnnbbboooaaattt cccooonnnvvveeerrrsssiiiooonnn ■■ SSuuppeerr ddeettaaiilliinngg tthhee ccoocckkppiitt ■■ AAfftteerrmmaarrkkeett ddeeccaall aanndd aacccceessssoorryy ssuummmmaarryy MMOODDEELLSS BBYY FFrroomm tthhee ppuubblliisshheerrss ooff TTaammiiyyaa MMooddeell MMaaggaazziinnee IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall,, BBrreetttt GGrreeeenn,, CChhrriiss WWaauucchhoopp,, MMooddeell MMiilliittaarryy IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall,, MMooddeell AAiirrppllaannee IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall Marcus Nicholls and Roy Sutherland aanndd MMiilliittaarryy IIlllluussttrraatteedd MMooddeelllleerr p 01 Cover BF109B.indd 1 24/07/2013 11:31 FOREWORD AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS How to build... Revell’s 1:32 Bf 109 G-6 The Messerchmitt Bf 109 F represented a major transformation compared to the squared-off lines of the Emil. This sleek hunter now featured a new n Chris Wauchop large aerodynamic spinner, streamlined cowling and rounded wingtips. Chris Wauchop was born in Deniliquin in regional Australia in The installation of the Daimler-Benz DB 605 A engine 1954. Chris’s career began in the photo studio of a major Sydney in the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G increased power, but an advertising agency. From here, Chris moved on to professional upgrade in armament, armour and options resulted in model making at Lego. After nearly five years, he decided to go a corresponding increase in weight. The once nimble solo, opening a hobby shop called “Absolute Hobbies” in suburban Sydney. This became a Mecca for local modellers. The end of fighter was becoming overloaded as more missions the property lease after seven years prompted another career were demanded of it. Even so, the Gustav remained the change, this time painting props and vehicles for the science fiction workhorse of the Luftwaffe, with more than 12,000 of the movie, Red Planet. Chris has built many models for commercial G-6 variant alone being produced. advertising, displays at trade shows, articles for magazines and The Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 was immediately websites including Tamiya Model Magazine, Military Illustrated recognisable thanks to the two prominent bulges on Modeller, HyperScale and Missing-Lynx, and has been a contributor the engine cowling. These were required to clear the to many modelling books. Chris now lives in semi-retirement on Sydney’s northern beaches with his wife Deirdhre. ammunition feeds of the larger 13mm MG 131 machine guns with 300 rounds per gun. During the course of production, a number of significant changes and improvements were made to the Bf 109 n Roy Sutherland G-6. These included the fitting of a simplified clear-vision canopy, pilot’s head armour from armoured glass to Roy been a modeller since the age of 6, and a professional model improve rear vision, a new tall tail fitted with several styles maker for the last 21 years. He has worked in a number of model of rudder, and more. Armament could vary widely too, shops in the San Francisco bay area, including Industrial Light with fighter-bomber versions, “gunboats” equipped with and Magic (credits include Star Wars Episode II), and M5 Studios 20mm cannon gondolas under each wing and photo- (where they film Mythbusters). Roy has worked for Toy Companies reconnaissance aircraft just to name a few. such as Worlds of Wonder, Galoob, and 21st Century Toys, where he was in charge of the development of the entire product line. This book covers the new 1:32 scale Revell These days he runs Barracuda Studios, which produces the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 in detail. This model may be BarracudaCals, BarracudaCast and BarracudaGraphs product lines. built to depict many of the variations of the Bf 109 G-6 For more info go to www.barracudacals.com. He lives in Fremont, from the earliest versions up to late-war variants with the California and has a son, Cooper. tall tail and Erla clear-vision hood. In the following Chapters, we will examine the contents in detail, describe construction straight from the box, and point out the areas of the kit that can be improved and n Marcus Nicholls corrected in several builds. Any modelling book is an ensemble effort and this Marcus was born in Hertfordshire, England in 1966 and still lives title is no exception. I would like to extend my sincere in this area with his wife Emma and two sons, Joseph and William. gratitude to Marcus Nicholls, Roy Sutherland and Chris Marcus has been making models since about the age of eight, and has worked on Tamiya Model Magazine since 1991. He has been Wauchop, whose wonderful work appear on these pages. its Editor for about the last fourteen years and is Group Editor of Thanks to all of you for your efforts and your sense of ADH Publishing’s scale modelling magazines which include Model urgency. Airplane International and Model Military International. The book has been designed by Alex Hall, who has He is a qualified photographer and places special emphasis on applied his usual telepathy and artistic flair to translate photographic quality in Tamiya Model Magazine. Marcus is an raw text and pictures into the attractive pictorial narrative enthusiastic modeller of all subjects and feels equally at home that you have in front of you. Another fantastic effort - building armour, science-fiction, cars and bikes as well as aircraft. thanks Alex. We are very grateful to Revell Germany for providing the early kit test shots built in this book. n Brett Green Thanks to Brian Nicklas for providing the photos of the NASM Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6. I am also very grateful Brett Green was born in Sydney, Australia in 1960. Brett displayed to Radu Brinzan who produced the excellent set of scale a passion for aviation and aircraft modelling from an early age. drawings specifically for this book. Andreas Beck and This developed into a particular interest in camouflage and Dieter Weigmann have provided essential insight and markings. Brett established the popular scale modelling website feedback during construction of the models, and Anthony HyperScale (www.hyperscale.com) in 1998. He is also Editor of Sheedy kindly provided his permission to use photos of his the ADH Publishing magazines Model Military International and the Hasegawa Bf 109 G-14. Aircraft Edition of Military Illustrated Modeller, the armour modelling website Missing-Lynx (www.missing-lnx.com), and author of I would like to express my appreciation to MDC, Eagle more than 15 books. Brett concluded his 25-year career in the Editions, HGW, Aeroscale, Barracuda Studios, Aires and Australian telecommunications industry in 2003, when he decided Eduard for supplying many of the accessories and decals to pursue his interests in online publishing and writing as a full-time used in the modeling projects. occupation. He still lives in Sydney today with his wife and two I hope that you will find the result useful and entertaining. children, Charlotte and Sebastian. Brett Green, July 2013 2 How to Build... Revell’s 1:32 Bf 109 G-6 p 02-03 ForwardContents BF109B.indd 2 23/07/2013 14:37 CCCOOONNNTTTEEENNNTTTSSS 44 PPaaggee CCHHAAPPTTEERR 11 MMeesssseerrsscchhmmiitttt BBff 110099 GG--66 CClloossee UUpp 1144 Page CHAPTER 2 Previous 1:32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G Kits 18 Page CHAPTER 3 Scale Plans 22 Page CHAPTER 4 In the Box 26 Page CHAPTER 5 Step by Step 40 Page CHAPTER 6 Patchwork War Prize by Chris Wauchop 46 Page CHAPTER 7 Yellow 1 by Marcus Nicholls Copyright © 2013 ADH Publishing Ltd. 58 All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or Page CHAPTER 8 whole of any text or photographs without Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6/ written permission from the publisher is strictly R6/Trop Conversion prohibited. While due care has been taken to ensure the contents of this book are accurate, 74 the publisher cannot accept liability for errors. Page CHAPTER 9 Cockpit Upgrade by Roy First Published in the United Kingdom by: Sutherland ADH Publishing Ltd., Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX 81 Telephone: 44 (0) 1525 222573 Page APPENDIX 1 Fax: 44 (0) 1525 222574 Selected Accessories Email: [email protected] Website: www.adhpublishing.com 82 Page APPENDIX 2 Designed by Alex Hall Selected References How to Build... Revell’s 1:32 Bf 109 G-6 3 CHAPTER 1 CLOSE UP MESSERSCHMITT Bf 109 G-6 Werknummer 163824 is a fascinating aircraft rebuilt from the components of a CLOSE-UP number of different variants. In this photo, we have a unique view of the exposed engine while the unassembled A photographic exploration of two Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6s airframe was still in storage during – a late model at the Australian War Memorial and an early 2002. production G-6 at the National Air and Space Museum. MESSERSCHMITT BF 109 G-6/U4/R3, WNR.163824 D ue to a remarkable eventually delivered to Australia via markings and has survived the set of circumstances, the United Kingdom. It was then put last five decades remarkably well. Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 into storage by the RAAF. Despite its lengthy storage and WNr.163824 managed to WNr.163824 was sold to a British partial disassembly, the Australian escape restoration and spent most buyer in 1979, but the Australian War Memorial has all components of the last half-century safely stored. Customs Service blocked its except some cockpit instruments. In the mid 2000s, the aircraft was export and confiscated the aircraft. The Australian War Memorial has reassembled, still in its original cam- WNr.163824 was then stored for no plans to restore this aircraft. ouflage and markings, and put on more than 20 years, partly disas- Their mission is to preserve this display in the new ANZAC Hall at the sembled, in the Treloar Technology significant specimen in its current Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Centre of the Australian War condition. This policy provides the The aircraft was claimed as a war Memorial in Canberra. researcher with a unique insight prize by Allied forces and shipped WNr.163824 is the last remaining into the problems of interpreting from Eggebeck airfield in Germany Bf 109 in original condition. It still the application of late war Luftwaffe on 4 September 1945. It was wears its wartime camouflage and camouflage schemes. 4 Chapter 1 - Close Up A: The nose of A. the Australian War Memorial’s Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6. Note the prominent gaps at the front and rear of the engine cowling. B: The spinner of the same aircraft prior to its reassembly and display. The roughly hand-painted white spiral is of particular interest. C: The VDM 9-21259A propeller was clearly sourced from another aircraft with the Werknummer 441039. D: This aircraft is also fitted with the larger Fo 987 oil cooler in the deeper, more typically found on G-6/AS and G-10 variants. The greater depth of the intake may be seen to good advantage here. E: Note the prominent panel line between the separate oil cooler B. D. housing and the lower engine cowling. F: The oil cooler rear flap and the ejector ports for the cowl guns may be seen here. Also note the poor alignment between the rear of the lower engine cowling and the fuselage. Modellers would lose points in competition if they E. left a gap like that! C. F. How to Build... Revell’s 1:32 Bf 109 G-6 5 CHAPTER 1 CLOSE UP A. The relationship A. B. of the cowling bulge and the supercharger intake may be seen clearly here. B. A unique and rare view of the bottom of the fuselage. Here we can see the FuG 25a IFF antenna mounted in its circular isolator base, and also the oval access hatch just ahead of it. Both these features are missing from C. D. the Revell 1:32 scale kit. C. The top gun cowl showing the size and location of the bulges. D. The small oval- shaped bulge is a bit of a mystery. It appears to be a one-off modification required due to the hybrid nature of the rebuild. This small bulge may have been necessary to clear the machine E. F. gun interrupter gear. E. The starboard engine cowling is fitted with the scoop and extra bulge to accommodate the compression equipment installed in the Bf 109 G-5, even though the compressor is not present on this aircraft. F. A nice close-up view of the exhaust stacks and the THE AUSTRALIAN WAR In its new guise, it featured an MK toward elements of the fuselage thin metal fairings MEMORIAL’S BF 109 G-6 - 108 30mm cannon firing co-axially being from a G-6/AS or a G-10. above and below GENERAL FEATURES through the spinner (to U4 specifi- There is a prominent but non- the exhausts. Also note the centreline Werknummer 163824 was an cations), and provision for a fuse- standard bulge riveted to the top weld beads on each uncommon Messerschmitt Bf 109 lage mounted 300 litre drop tank (to of the port engine cowl just behind exhaust stack. G-6, which wore an equally uncom- R3 specifications - a "Ruststatze", or the port machine gun trough. This mon camouflage scheme. Field Modification) bulge is noticeably bigger than the Although factory production of the Probably the most unusual standard round pressed protrusion Bf 109 G-6 ceased in the summer feature of this Bf 109 G-6 is clear (on top of the gun interrupter hous- of 1944, this Bf 109 was rebuilt in evidence that the rear section of the ing) usually seen in this position on December 1944 from the compo- conformal "bulge" associated with a Bf 109 G-6. nents of a number of aircraft. DB605D and DB605AS had been It is unclear why this non-stand- The Werknummer strongly sug- removed from both sides of the ard bulge was required, but it may gests its original manufacture during fuselage. This indicates that despite eventually help explain the exact Autumn 1943 by Messerschmitt at its G-6 identity, the fuselage is from identity of the rebuilt fuselage. Regensburg. At that time the aircraft a later airframe. The starboard engine cowl is would have been fitted with the There are few clues to help originally from a Bf 109 G-5 as standard, three section framed can- identify this fuselage. The only shown by the scoop, cover, extra opy with "Galland Panzer" armoured definite pointer is that the DF loop bulge and small vent. These glass behind the pilot's head. antenna and the radio hatch are features provided accommodation The three-letter code and date both in the wrong position for a 109 and access for the cockpit pres- "MCY 31-12-44" tells us that the air- K-4. However, this only narrows the surisation gear, and were unique to craft was rebuilt by Ludwig Hasen possible fuselage source to a G-6 the G-5 variant. Despite this cowl & Co., Flugzeug-Repararatur-Werk, AS, G-14 AS, G-10 or a G-10 AS. design, the pressurisation gear is Münster i/W in December 1944. Another significant feature points not installed in either the engine bay 6 Chapter 1 - Close Up CHAPTER 1 CLOSE UP A. The starboard A. sidewall is quite complete, with fuel line, electrical cabling, oxygen regulator and hose, as well as other original fittings still in place. B. The seat in the Bf 109 G-6 was a simple dished pan, with the rear cockpit bulkhead doubling as the backrest. The original harness straps are in remarkably good condition. C. A good view of the pilot’s stowage hatch, the sprung retaining strap and the thin DF loop on the fuselage spine. D. The instrument panel is missing most of its dials, but this reveals a nice view of the cables and fittings behind. B. C. D. How to Build... Revell’s 1:32 Bf 109 G-6 7 p 04-13 CH1 BF109B.indd 7 23/07/2013 14:42 CHAPTER 1 CLOSE UP A. Radio equipment or the cockpit. The style of pressed A. inside the fuselage. gun trough insert is also consistent The stencil markings on the with a Bf 109 G-5 engine cowl. The sheet metal is of portside cowling is probably from interest here too the same G-5. B. The main The lower cowl has most likely rack inside the been sourced from a G-6/AS or a fuselage holding the equipment G-10, as it is fitted with the larger for the FuG 16ZS Fo 987 oil cooler. This can be iden- Lorenz radio and homing device, tified by the deeper housing under introduced in April the engine cowling. 1944. Having been It is interesting to note that, as protected inside the fuselage for more the Bf 109 G-10 was a hybrid type than half a century, itself made up of the components this equipment remains in almost of older aircraft, WNr.163824 was factory frssh probably in its third incarnation by condition. December 1944. The aircraft features the Erla Haube clear vision canopy with "Galland Panzer" and a red dive- angle indicator painted on both sides of the canopy side glass. This suggests that the canopy might have been sourced from a 109 Jabo – a fighter/bomber. The armoured glass windscreen has a hole on the starboard side for a desiccant capsule. A small, triangular Werknummer plate is located aft of fuselage station 8 on the starboard side. The Werknummer is from a batch assigned to Bf 109 G-6 built by Messerschmitt at Regensberg. Not surprisingly, there has been B. some confusion identifying the sub- type of this aircraft. Some sources claim it is a G-14, other state that it is a G-6/U2. However, despite its somewhat bizarre hybrid elements, the general layout, weapons, pow- erplant and Werknummer all point inevitably to this aircraft being a Bf 109 G-6/U4/R3. It is likely that the aircraft was never delivered to a front-line squadron following its reconstruc- tion. The only markings borne by this Bf109 are national markings and the Werknummer. CAMOUFLAGE AND MARKINGS OF WNR.163824 It is now over 50 years since the last Messerschmitt Bf 109 aircraft was painted. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to examine such a late-war scheme first hand. It is important to point out that the aircraft was examined under artifi- cial light, and that 50 years will have had some effect on the tone and shade of the original camouflage colours. Therefore, the following interpretation the aircraft’s colours 8 Chapter 1 - Close Up A. This machine A. B. was fitted with the early short tail. The fabric strips on the rudder can just be made out under the camouflage. B. The camouflage pattern on the rudder is fascinating. It appears to be small streaks of RLM 81 Brown Violet and RLM 83 Dark Green over the murky grey/green shade, with light grey or RLM 76 Light Blue sprayed around these areas C. D. creating a mottled effect. C. The wings are even more bizarre. This is the top of the starboard wing while it was in storage. The darker colour appears to be a factory- applied coat of RLM 74 Grey Green, with a coarsely sprayed saw tooth application of RLM 75 Grey Violet (or a variation thereof) over the top. The pattern and demarcation are distinctly non- E. standard. D. The port wing features a solid coat of RLM 83 Dark Green, with RLM 81 Brown Violet as the disruptive colour. Note that the port side aileron mainly retains its original RLM 75 Grey Violet coat. The broken white walkway and push lines are also of interest. E. The bottom of the port wing appears to be finished in a watery layer of the murky grey/geen over RLM 76 Light Blue. The silver on the flaps and the outboard area is a remnant of the latex coating applied during the failed attempt to export this Gustav during 1979. should be considered as a reason- combination of lighting factors and fan was used to compare the able and balanced evaluation rather multiple photographic processes. colours on the aircraft to Federal than a concrete statement of fact. The colour information in the table Standard colours. Following these What cannot be denied, however, below should be considered more initial comparisons, further analysis is that the camouflage finish of reliable. This table was produced was undertaken by comparing the this aircraft is well preserved and using the results of a number of vis- colours on WNr.163824 directly exhibits many interesting traits. its to the Australian War Memorial’s to some well respected sources The accompanying images are Treloar Centre during the late 1990s including "The Official Monogram not entirely helpful in displaying and early 2000s to inspect the Guide to Painting German Aircraft the colours of the aircraft due to a aircraft. An FS-595B colour-chip 1935 - 1945" (see References). How to Build... Revell’s 1:32 Bf 109 G-6 9 CHAPTER 1 CLOSE UP Selected Colours Observed on Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 W Nr. 163824 RLM Colour FS Equivalent Comments Mixed Green-Grey Between FS 34583 and This pale Green-Grey colour is applied to most of the fuselage sides and lower surfaces. FS 34672 The impression of the colour is very similar to a light shade of RAF “Sky Type S”. The colour has Similar to 34583 but been thinly applied by spray gun, and has run in several places on the starboard side. A sharp, slightly lighter; similar to ragged masking line divides this colour from the Yellow/Green colour applied to the rear fuselage on 34672 but slightly more the starboard side aft of fuselage station 4. “murky”. This colour also appears, sprayed thinly on the bottom of the port side wing and the bottom of the horizontal stabilisers. The colour is a very close match for the colour chip labelled “Sky” in the back of “British Aviation Colours of World War Two” (see Refs.); and similar to the “Sky” sample in the Ministry of Small Aircraft RAF Camouflage Colour Chart (see Refs.) but lighter in shade. This colour is similar to the paint chip described as “Green-Blue” on page 41 of “The Official Monogram Guide to German Aircraft 1935-1945” (see Refs.), but slightly less green. RLM 76 Slightly darker than 35622 This is a lighter and more vivid blue applied to the lower engine cowl and the lower portions of the Light Blue rear portion of both starboard cowl bulges. Also used as light mottle on the cowl, on the bottom of the starboard wing and the bottom of the elevators. Patches of 76 show through the thinly applied Green-Grey colour. This colour is also a close match for the RLM 76 colour chip in Model Art ‘s Special on the Fw 190D and Ta 152 (see Refs.) but slightly lighter. The RLM 76 shade on the aircraft is noticeably lighter and brighter than the various “76 Light Blue” colour chips in “The Official Monogram Guide to German Aircraft 1935-1945”. However, the colour chip on page 69 labeled “Light Blue (variation)” is a very close match. Interestingly, this Monogram colour sample was found on another remanufactured aircraft - a Focke Wulf Fw 190 F-8/R1. Yellow-Green Similar to 34554 but Probably one of the colours sometimes incorrectly referred to as RLM 84. This colour is only applied slightly darker and very to the rear starboard fuselage aft of a sharply masked, ragged line near fuselage station 4. slightly more yellow Similar to the colour chip in the Model Art Special on the Fw 190D and Ta 152 (see Refs.) but less green and less vivid. Almost a perfect match for the colour described as Green-Blue on page 41 of the “Monogram” book. RLM 81 Between FS 30118 and Slightly darker and less brown than 30118; and slightly less green than 34088. Brown-Violet FS 34088. This is a distinctly brown tone, and the lighter of the two upper-surface camouflage colours. This colour has been applied thinly, especially along the top-rear of the fuselage spine. 76 and/or Mixed Yellow/Grey shows through in places. Very soft, spotty but spasmodic mottle on the fuselage sides. Close match for the colour chip in the Model Art Special on the Fw 190D and Ta 152 (see Refs.). Very close match for the colour chip labelled “81 Brown-Violet” at the bottom left corner of page 35 in the Monogram book. RLM 83 Dark Green Similar in shade to 34083, Very Dark Green. The darker of the two upper surface camouflage colours. Very heavy application - no but slightly less green base colour showing through here! Well spaced but heavy, mottled spots of this colour on the fuselage sides. Almost a perfect match for the colour chip in the Model Art Special on the Fw 190D and Ta 152 (see Refs.). Very close match for the colour chip labelled “82 Dark Green” on page 49 of the Monogram book. Primer Red Darker than 31310 Red colour with an orange tint. 10 Chapter 1 - Close Up p 04-13 CH1 BF109B.indd 10 23/07/2013 14:42