Bradley25mm Posted January 28, 2023 Report Share Posted January 28, 2023 My buddy and I made a swap of kits that we had purchased at the Cincinnati Model Show. I have always wanted a Stuka. It is my favorite German aircraft. The kit has some nice details. The cockpit instrument panel is sparse. It comes with kit supplied-decals for gauges. You can spruced up the cockpit and instrument panel with aftermarket photo etch I found on E-bay (Eduard 1/24th scale BF-109 cockpit gauges/placard‘s) I also purchased two sets of Eduard BF-109 seatbelts for both the front and back seat. Lastly, I was able to secure three figures from legend models. Two pilots and one mechanic. Construction is pretty straightforward. All of the parts go together really well. The canopy parts are crystal clear, and very thin. Probably the best I’ve ever seen in a Trumpeter kit. The decal are not good. I had to get an aftermarket sheet on eBay from Germany. They were pretty thick. I ended up have a friend make me some new ones. Prior to starting this one, I did some research online. I found out that the rear fuselage is 3 cm to long. Two modelers built this exact same kit. One was built without removing the 3 cm section. One was built with the section removed. Both were great builds, with amazing paint jobs along with some awesome canopy work. The longer fuselage was definitely noticeable. The best way that I decided to approach this is to use plastic strip that was staggered on the rear end of the fuselage. I added plastic sheet at the front of the cut, to reduce the step down, and added putty to the rear of the sheeting that I had added. Be prepared to do a lot of sanding. If you’re willing to tackle this issue, it will definitely be worth it in the end. This is the only hard thing about this build. Everything else just pretty much falls into place. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheveuxroux Posted January 29, 2023 Report Share Posted January 29, 2023 Very nice results! Especially when considering that you had to cut, splice and build up the rear fuselage. I purchased a "Barn Find" 1/24 Airfix kit at a Butch O'Hare show for $5 from Wisconsin dealer Pete Gitzel but haven't worked on it due to decals and aftermarket details being long OOP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghodges Posted January 29, 2023 Report Share Posted January 29, 2023 Phenomenal build! I have to add my kudos on the job of shortening that fuselage. I also like the finish.... just enough weathering and shading to make it look used, but not abused. Thanks for sharing! Gil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradley25mm Posted January 29, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2023 Thanks Bob and Gil. I appreciate the comments. Bob, I was surprised what was available on eBay for this kit. The only thing I could not find was a replacement propeller. The blades look a tad to short. You could always find some aftermarket decals on eBay. I’ve heard quite a few good things about the Airfix. I hope you build it someday. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradley25mm Posted January 29, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2023 I wanted to put this on a base. Because of its size, I decided to go a different route with the shape I normally build (Rectangle). Everything was purchased from Lowe’s. I used Blonde wood for the top and bottom. It’s lighter than other sheets of plywood. I used oak veneer for the sides, and oak trim for the top and bottom edge. I used pre-mixed stucco for the ground work. I cut strips of balsa to simulate wood planks. Stained it with Tamiya accent wash. I used static grass of various lengths on the sides. I had the German Aviators Wings printed on the brass plate that is attached to the front of the base. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Deliduka Posted January 29, 2023 Report Share Posted January 29, 2023 What an outstanding model!! I am overwhelmed! I also highly commend you on your technique for shortening and blending the fuselage, I did a similar thing with my 1/700 scale Peter Strasser hull That base is looking amazing, it will really set off this model exceptionally well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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