Hi everyone - felt like I needed to break my WW1 builds up a little, and do something relatively simple after having done a bit to bring an old Airfix DH4 up to snuff. Continuing on my current 'bent' for older kits, I decided to pull this one out of the stash:
This is the Monogram kit of the Bf-109G-10 variant, released by Monogram around 1991 and reboxed in the above boxing circa 1992/1993.
This kit traces its origins back to the Revell release of 1978 (indeed you can still find this release available today; Revell has been releasing this kit on and off again, most recently in 2016). The kit still holds up well today; it has generally accurate lines, recessed panels, is an easy build, and passes quite nicely for a 109G-10. It is also far less complex and far cheaper than the contemporary Eduard kit.
I picked this one up for somewhere around $5-10 at a swap and sell some years back. I picked this boxing because I have very vivid memories of buying this boxing as a kid, getting my hands on the dark green plastic, and building the kit in a hurry. Whilst I don't remember how I painted it, I do remember re-painting it a year or two later in a blotchy 'Africa' scheme, similar to that painted on 109Es (totally not accurate... but hey, I was maybe 13 years old, so accuracy wasn't a real focus back then). No idea what happened to it, but pretty sure it didn't survive the 'Cancian turkey shoot' in the backyard some time later... ahem.
Anywhoo... in any case, this one is another nostalgia build for me. First up, one notices some elements that need addressing:
The cockpit needed some attention. The kit canopy is surprisingly clear, so I decided to upgrade the kit cockpit, which is pretty light on. I had some old bits and bobs in the spares box from some 109 cockpit sets; one floor piece and sidewall from (I think) the Aires 109G-6 cockpit, and another from I think an old Hi-Tech resin set from again, I think, a G-6. Not going for accuracy, I decided that these would do; the sidewalls were quickly sanded back and the resin bits added. I'll find some bits to dress up the sidewalls and floor, seat belts, pedals, etc, from the spares box once I get there.
The kit has its control surfaces modelled in the neutral position. I decided to at least cut and reposition the rudder and elevators. I managed to find a spare resin rudder (no idea who produced it) which fit the kit and was a bit nicer than the kit rudder, so this will do also. I'm still to decide how i'll tackle the wing flying surfaces, flaps, etc, but I am inclined to leave them as is. Anyways, not much in terms of progress, but it's a start.
I have some nicer wheels and exhaust pipes that I stashed away somewhere also, if I can find them...
Cheers!
BC
