Revell's 1 32 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6

84 Pages·2013·57.873 MB·English

by  Brett Green

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
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Marcus Nicholls and Roy Sutherland
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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
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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: [phone] Page APPENDIX 1
Fax: [phone]
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
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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
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