Eduard Bf 109 E-1 (Weekend Edition)

I think there is a trompe-l'oeil caused by the two colours being side by side. The RLM 71 is always a fairly olive green colour, but it looks very brown next to the much greener RLM 70.

I think I'll probably apply a green/grey filter eventually to tone everything down. The only problem is that I want to keep the white of the markings clean. This is a pre-war scheme, the white tail and wing tips were applied when JG 26 was taking part in manoeuvres with the Army in the summer of 1939 to aid identification of 'friendly' and 'enemy' forces. Presumably they were rehearsing the Blitzkrieg to be unleashed shortly against Poland. The few references I have for these oddly marked aircraft (and those of other fighter units) at this time show them to be pristine. Definitely a peace time phenomenon

Incidentally I've always seen the 70/71 Luftwaffe splinter and the early war RAF Dark Green/Dark Earth as having more in common than might first meet the eye. The RAF scheme has a higher contrast, but the colours are from a similar palette.

They'd also both given them up on fighters by late 1941 and gone for a grey and grey/green (75/74) scheme and an grey and green (Ocean Grey/Dark Green) scheme respectively

Cheers

Steve

What stands out for me is the Swastika. I have predominantly Airfix kits as they're easiest for me to obtain and whilst they do a lot of German war birds, I've never seen a Swastika decal. Does the one on this plane come with the kit, or is it aftermarket. If it does come with, which other manufacturers censor decals?

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What stands out for me is the Swastika. I have predominantly Airfix kits as they're easiest for me to obtain and whilst they do a lot of German war birds, I've never seen a Swastika decal. Does the one on this plane come with the kit, or is it aftermarket. If it does come with, which other manufacturers censor decals?

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As well as Airfix, Revell omit swastikas, because they're German & it's a criminal offense to display it there.

Some manufacturers get round it by breaking it down into 2 or more sections.

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What stands out for me is the Swastika. I have predominantly Airfix kits as they're easiest for me to obtain and whilst they do a lot of German war birds, I've never seen a Swastika decal. Does the one on this plane come with the kit, or is it aftermarket. If it does come with, which other manufacturers censor decals?

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It is an after market decal, but the kit decal sheet includes them too. It stands out even more for being on a white tail and being in an unusual position, across the rudder. It was moved to be entirely on the fin not long after this date.

The 'swastika question' comes up from time to time. It is against the law to display the symbol, except in some specific contexts, in Germany and some other countries. Some kit manufacturers don't include swastika decals, or provide the irritating multi-part option, for fear of compromising sales in the territories in which the symbol is subject to such legislation. Others seem to take a more 'laissez faire' attitude and get away with it.

As an example, German modellers can't display models publicly with swastikas. They either don't apply them or cover them for shows.

It's tricky for us too. Some might choose not to apply swastikas at all, which is fine by me. I do apply them and there are sheets of swastika decals in all the various sizes and styles available from several manufacturers. For me it is important to make the model look as much like the original subject as I can and that means applying all the national markings, including swastikas. It certainly doesn't mean I have any affinity for the Nazi regime or its ideology, anymore than applying red stars to a Soviet aircraft would make me a Stalinist

The WW2 Luftwaffe was a thoroughly Nazi organisation. It was a child of the Nazi state and many of its officers, from top to bottom, were ardent Nazis. There's no point in skating around unpleasant historical facts and I certainly don't. I'm afraid that the post war back pedalling (Galland once claimed he never used the Nazi salute) doesn't fit the facts. I've always despised Rudel's political views, but at least he was honest.

This model is an aircraft of JG 26 'Schlageter'. The unit was named in honour of Albert Leo Schlageter. He was a member of the Freikorps and was executed by the French for his post WW1 activities, sabotaging the French occupying forces, blowing up railway cars amongst other things.

Schlageter's execution made him an early Nazi martyr and hero, whose image was carefully manipulated by the Nazis and their propaganda apparatus. JG 26 was honoured to take his name.

Cheers

Steve

Looking really nice Steve.

Excellent paintwork as always

Interesting, very interesting. That's Steve/Patrick.

Build's looking great so far can't be much left to do now!

I'd just add that Oberst Ritter von Schleich, who commanded JG 26 at the period I'm representing had joined the Nazi party in 1931. He was also a member of a para-military flying organisation called the SS-Fliegerstaffel. He joined the Luftwaffe at its inception in 1935.

There can be no doubt to whose mast he had nailed his colours!

He would go on to command German forces of occupation in Denmark and Norway before retiring in 1944. Unsurprisingly he was arrested by the British at the end of the war and died in custody a couple of years later.

Here's an interesting factoid. Von Schleich's successor at JG 26, in November 1939, was none other than Hans Hugo Witt, one of the survivors of the Hindenburg disaster.

The list of subsequent 'Geschwaderkommodoren' of JG 26 reads like a whose who of the Luftwaffe. Gotthardt Handrick, Adolph Galland, Gerhardt Schopfel, Josef 'Pips' Priller and finally Franz Gotz.

History can be fun

Cheers

Steve

The 109 is looking great Steve, very nice paint work as usual from you. Good background information too, particularly how JG26 got it's namesake.

Back to the model

Here's the camouflage, finished and matted down.



The varnish is dry, but not hard. Once it has gone off I'll be removing the canopy masking, always a bit of a pucker moment!

There is a little weathering already applied and there won't be much more. I'm considering doing a few re-touches in areas that might normally be chipped or worn as this seems more likely for the immediate pre-war Luftwaffe.

Cheers

Steve

That looks crisp and clean Steve, lovely work. Hope the canopy mask has done it's job!

Hi Steve

Just catching up with a few builds and news.

The 109 looks great and the paint work is very crisp indeed. Masking the canopy area around the MGs must have been fun!

It's great to see a 109E in a less ordinary scheme and I'm really looking forward to seeing this finished.

Cheers

Paul

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I'm really looking forward to seeing this finished.

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So am I! Unfortunately work and Xmas keep getting in the way. I'm determined to finish it before Xmas....failing that, then this year

Cheers

Steve

Yeah, I'm hoping to have my 3 Spits finished by the Xmas and on their respective base/dio by the new year. The aircraft models themselves are nearly there and I should really update the build thread.

Pesky work and Xmas have that effect don't they?!

Cheers

Paul

Nearly there!

The undercarriage and other dangly bits are attached. The model is resting on the foam whilst it all dries off. As you can probably tell by the awful photograph I have run out of light for the day. I will make all the antenna bits and fix the 'wire' tomorrow, in daylight. Twisting fine wire and drilling very small holes is not something I fancy in even bright artificial light



After tomorrow I'm away again until the 22nd, so it's tomorrow or after the festivities...fingers crossed.

Cheers

Steve

Looks great Steve, nearly there

Looking very nice indeed Steve.

Re the swastika issue. I think that our dear friend in the EU have a finger in the soup here. Read some place that EU laws forbid the use of swastikas on toys...

I to agree that if its a WWII luftwaffe machine it should have them on the model as well.

Ian M

Get working! We want to see the completed pics!

I've got this as done as it will be for now! There are a couple of things I might alter before it goes on the shelf (I'll fix the starboard side of the engine cowling to the tabs I fitted in lieu of the engine at the very least) but I've posted a few piccies in a completed thread.

Cheers

Steve

Great build Steve, as usual.

Are you going to drill hole in the antenna mast?