Hi all!

Here are pictures of my latest project: Tamiya´s 1/48 Me Bf 109 E3/4 converted to the V13 and V14 prototypes as seen at the Zürich-Dübendorf Meeting in July 1937.



The V14 prototype (D-ISLU) was flown by Ernst Udet during the Meeting. The plane was destroyed there after a crash landing due to Engine Failure.



The V13 prototype (D-IPKY) was, like the V14, a Bf 109B airframe fitted with the brand new Daimler-Benz DB600A engine. These two planes were the precursors of the famous "Emil" version.



To make the V13 and V14, I had to make some conversion work:
- design a new engine cowling.
- design a new radiator.
- design a new spinner.
- add extensions to the landing gear covers.
- sand away the underwing gun bulges.
- fill and rescribe some panel lines.
- delete the aerial wire and radio mast.
Because I wanted to make both planes, I simply made my own resin conversion set as you can see in the picture below. The new parts are in beige color.



I started this project in december of last year after reading a book about Swiss Bf 109´s. I also found an excellent build-article of the V14 from Craig Chidley and Jim Kiker at Hyperscale wich was very usefull.

If you have comments or questions, don´t hesitate!

Jean-Luc

nice stuff!

I've been thinking about doing one of these AC for years, but never got over the inertia of starting that cowls.

Hi Jean Luc
Very nice indeed.
One day I will do panel lines like that
I like the way you pick out different and "odd" subjects.
Did you get the decals as a set or make them yourself?

Just like that! I think it will be a few years before I start making my own resin parts.

Excellent work Jean-Luc, thanks!

Jean-Luc,
If my modeling skills ever get to your level I may consider charging people to look at my planes. :-)

Aside from the beautiful fit and finish of these 109's, the thing I find most amazing is that you cast your own pieces to get what you want. Would you mind moving to America and living in my basement? That way when I brake pieces on my kits you can just "poof" up a new one for me.

Very nice 109's
Hermon

ps, please send me a set of your resin conversion pieces before anyone else like ( Floyd, Hodlfast, or Merlin) can snatch them up.

Something about the red one that just looks great.

BH

Fantastic job. Both of them look great.
I like the way you enhaced the panel lines. A beauty.
Congrats.

Hi all!

Thanks for your nice words!



Vance, the conversion isn´t that difficult and time consuming. If you use the Tamiya kit as basis, it´s not more work than building a short run kit I think. But you have to search for references though... and there are not many for those planes. In fact I know only three pictures of the V14 (the red one). Fortunately there are more of the V13.



Good question Nigel! The decals were a big problem. I first thought I would have to make them with masking tape. But I found a Carpena decal sheet at my LHS that was just perfect! It was meant to be used for French planes from 1960 to 1988 but the white D-ISLU letters matched the real ones pretty close! The Black letters for D-IPKY are spare ones from a MPM Bf 109T kit. I just had to modify them a little. The rest are from the original kits sheets or from the spare box.



Graham, the resin is not the biggest problem! Making the silicone molds is the hardest part... :-)



Wow! What an offer! If I get paid and have always free at week-end, I may consider doing the job!



Brian, that´s exactely what I thought the first time I saw that plane! Love at first sight... :-)8 The funny thing is that, for many years, that plane was believed to be blue!? In fact you can still find profiles of it in that color in recent books.



Carlos... yes the panel lines... I was asked many times how I do them. I prefer not to tell you as you would think I´m crazy! :-) I know they are overdone and don´t look realistic. But I can´t help myself, it´s just the way I like them to be!

Thanks again guys!

Jean-Luc

Any chance that someone (ME) could get two of those resin noses? They look great and I've always wanted to do those machines. Thanks. You can reach me at [email protected]
Thanks again
Floyd

Wonderful Jean-Luc, inspirational. I have never considered a 109 before the "E" but having seen this red one I could change my mind. How much for a set of resin parts?

Hi Floyd, Welcome to Armorama
Mal

Hi Jean-Luc

Beautiful work! - but I expect no less from you!

I can't wait to see your full Feature on how you did this conversion.

All the best

Rowan

Hi Jean Luc

Wonderful.
Your hard work really paid off big time.

The castings look better than many aftermarket sets I've seen.
I agree with Merlin...you really must do "a make your own resin parts" feature.

As far as scratch builing, the nearest I've come was using cop-sticks to make twin booms on a What-if design.... saurkraut and noddles for dinner

Cheers
Peter
:-)

Hi Jean Luc

Wonderful.
Your hard work really paid off big time.

The castings look better than many aftermarket sets I've seen.
I agree with Merlin...you really must do "a make your own resin parts" feature.

As far as scratch builing, the nearest I've come was using cop-sticks to make twin booms on a What-if design.... saurkraut and noddles for dinner

Cheers
Peter
:-)

Yes, yes, please do a feature on making your own resin parts. It would be a great resource and I'm sure if you did it, it would look good and be very informative!

Awesome work as always.
Leon

Hi all!

First, thank you all for your kind words...

Yes, I was thinking of doing a "how to make your own resin parts" feature at the very beginning of the project. I thought it could be very informative... I already worked on the pictures and the only thing left to do is write the text... the hardest part for a Frenchmen!
Floyd and Mal, the silicone mold wasn't meant for "mass" production! :-) It already suffered from the castings. I also found out, after it was too late of course, I made a mistake! On the main part's underside, just behind the spinner, there should be three venting openings rather than a single bigger one. The later was of the final design of the Emil. The V13 and V14 were different. Of Course I changed them on my models (see picture 3) but, as I said, the original parts are wrong. (see picture 4)
I'm currently working on a new mold so I can provide you a "revised" part. Floyd and Mal give me a few days and I will send them to you for free... just PM me your adresses.
The next one to ask for the conversion set, will also have one for free. But I'm afraid after that I will be forced to ask for payment as it would become expensive for me! :-)

"saurkraut and noddles for dinner"
Peter, don't forget the Bier and Bretzels

Jean-Luc

Hi Jean-Luc

Can I have one? - I'll swap you for my Swiss '109 E conversion when I do it.

All the best

Rowan

Hi Rowan!

That's quite an offer! Ok, the last free set is for you then...
If you want additional references about Swiss Messerschmitts, I have a nice book about the subject. There are even Swiss 109's with sharkmouth!

Jean-Luc

Cheers Jean-Luc

The Squadron Walkaround #34 is also an excellent reference for Swiss Bf 109Es. I've also got some spectular sharkmouth refs - but I won't be tackling the conversion in time for Show Your Teeth.

Incidentally, I even came across a set of decals in my stash for a sharkmouth Bf 109B - but the scheme I've got planned for mine will be just as fun in an entirely different way (but that'll be my secret for now)...

All the best

Rowan

Jean-Luc,
You can clearly see from reading my first post ( post #4 ) that I was the first to ask for some resin conversion parts.

This is not fair!

Oh well.....it was worth a try. :-)

Hermon

Hi, Jean Luc, both planes are wonderfull, but I need your information about the resin molds. I'm interested to know the method. Is difficult? I don´t know the materials. Please You can say me this information.
Thanks Jean Luc and "Chao" from Spain .

Hi all!




Rowan, there were several Bf 109E's with sharkmouth in Swiss service but based on my refs only one or two (B-C-D) in German service (personal markings or propaganda purposes?) To bad you won't have the time to make that conversion for the "Teeth" Campaign... but remember you have that Holdfast... errr Halifax to finish first! :-)
About that "secret"... can't you give us a clue? Is it an early 109... or a G-6 maybe?

Hermon... :-) ! Nice try!

Miguel, I will write some kind of "how to make your own resin replacement parts" feature... so stay tuned!

Thanks for your interest!

Jean-Luc

Allô Jean-Luc

I am sorry for the late reply, but I think I had to say this!
What a wonderfull double job you have done here!
Although you say that the paneling is overdone, I like it and gives a nice "volume" detail.
The unusual colour scheme, specially the red one and the subtle differences between both craft make a good comparison and almost a "Find the Differences Game".

Excelllent, excellent...

I think that you should submit a Feature or at least a MOD!

Congratulations on an(other) excellent job well done!!!!

Skipper

Thanks Jean-Luc, Ok, I hope your explanation with impatient. . because it is very useful for all models.
Thank you very much Jean.
I love your BF-109 models with the new engine cowling....ufff very good.
Chao.

Hi all!

Thanks Rui and Miguel!

floyd and Mal, don't forget to PM me your adress...

Jean-Luc!