Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6/Trop
| Kit: | FineMolds 1/72; model completed on 2022-03-27 |
|---|---|
| Aircraft: | "MT-431", W.Nr 164932, 2/HLeLv 24, Ilmavoimat, Utti, September 1944 |
The model represents an aircraft of HLeLv 24 (Fighter Squadron No.24) immediately after the end of hostilities against the Soviet Union. The yellow "Eastern Front" markings have been removed, and the aircraft has received the Finnish "warpaint", but only partially. This aircraft later served with HLeLv 31. Interestingly, this aircraft suffered a landing gear failure twice during her career with the Finnish Air Force (once on take-off, once on landing), both times the pilot was unharmed. After the second mishap, while the aircraft was undergoing repairs, it was repainted, but per a directive from the HQ, full Finnish warpaint was not applied.
Construction Notes
This was a straightforward build of the FineMolds kit, the only aftermarket parts being Eduard's seatbelts, Master Model's brass gun barrels and pitot tube, and decals (the tail numbers came from inScale, the national insignia from SBS, and the stenciling from the Hasegawa Bf 109G-14 sheet). Note that while a drawing in [3] suggests there was a whip antenna under the fuselage, I could not see one in photographs.
More details on the build can be found on our description of the "Grand Messerschmitt project".
Having pictures of the aircraft right in front of you when you're airbrushing helps get the details right.
I scanned the canopy and cut masks with a Cricut cutter.
Ready for decals. The overpainted Balkenkreutze were painted.
Almost done... note the brass gun barrels and pitot tube from Master Model.
Completely done!
References Used
See this blog post for a discussion of references used in the project. There are two known pictures of this aircraft, both from September 1944. They can be found in the references listed here.
- Les Messerschmitt Bf 109 finlandais (Stenman & Keskinen); Hors-série Avions 8; Editions Lela Presse
- Messerschmitt Bf 109G (Keskinen et al); Suomen Ilmavoimien historia 6; Tietoteos 1976
- Suomen ilmavoimien hävittäjät - Historia, maalaukset ja merkinnät 1939-1945 (Stenman & Hołda); Koala-kustannus 2015 - this is a Finnish translation of the Mushroom book "Finnish Fighter Colours vol.2"