Welcome back,

I had a few issues with Photobucket which have now been resolved. Progress has been consistent with the decaling now complete, the engine detailed and smaller assemblies prepared for final construction. The Techmod decals proved difficult in that they are not inclined to move once placed and are very prone to shattering. I did some research and apparently they need a good pool of water or Microset beneath them and even then they can be unforgiving. I managed to use most of them but some were beyond redemption and the kit decals were used:



















More to follow.

Regards,

The QB engine is nice but lacks some plumbing. I have added the most obvious bits out of lead wire and plastic rod:

















I am pretty happy with the engine as it stands at the moment.

Regards,

The QB exhausts got a coat of Burned Iron and then a couple of thin coats of AK Interactive Exhaust Wash:









Regards,

Kent,
Your details look great! I recently had my first use of Techmod decals but was fortunate enough to have read about floating them on a large bead of water before final placement. But man, they really sunk into the panel lines well.

Gaz

Welcome back,

The wheels are on! You can see the distinctive outward stance of the MLG.





I used AK Interactive Landing Gear and Grease and Bearings enamel washes for the first time instead of my usual oil washes. The data plates are from the Aurscale LW cockpit placards decal set:















Regards,

Kent,
Those are some great looking landing gear legs and bays. Do you know what materialthe accordion boots over the telescoping parts were made of?

Gaz

Thanks Gaz,

To be honest I don't, I just assumed they were a leather type material as all the colour shots (not many) show them a leather brown.

Regards,

Hi Gaz,

I went back and revisited the oleo cover....apparently it pays to actually read the caption of your photographic references. From Bf110C,D and E by Vasco and Estanislau on page 73:



They look a dark brown leather colour to me but obviously rubberised black colour. Oh well, next time.

Regards,

Just a quick update. The Flory wash has been applied. I then set about adding the DF and "clothes line" antennas:







Regards,

Looking really good Kent!

Do not worry, the brown is dark enought to simulate rubber with some grime and dirt on it.

all the best

Steffen

Thanks Steffen,

I appreciate the comment. It doesn't look too bad and I am happy with what I have done. Just next time.

Regards,

Hello again,

I shot a couple of thin coats of AK Interactive Ultra Matte Varnish as a topcoat. If you want a dead flat finish, this is the stuff for you. Unfortunately, a number of the decals have silvered. I will chalk this down to a user problem but it means I will probably not use Techmod decals again. The masks came off the canopies and I have a couple of touch ups but I am very happy with the general result. The addition of the mass balances, pitot and a scratch built ladder have finished off the underside:



















Next up is weathering and final assembly.
Regards,

No matter how many times I tried to convince myself, "silvered decals do not worry me", it was never going to end well. I cut some pre loved Tamiya tape masks for the serials. It appears the silvering is mainly confined to the RLM 71 as the darker RLM 70 is not as noticeable. Maybe something to do with Humbrol paint? Who knows! Not too bad, if I say so myself. The port insignia had also silvered so it had to go. Surprisingly it came away with a new piece of tape (after two coats of matte varnish) and I masked the balkankreutz:











That's all for now. I will update you all on the success (or otherwise) shortly.

Regards,

Ken,

Just my 2 cents, I don't think the AC finish was that matte, too dull IMO.
I usually blend 50-50 gloss and matte on most Luftwaffe, but there were exceptions with some Fighters having a very polished finish to achieve less drag.

That said, it is odd that you find silvering only on decals applied over the 71... Perhaps a steady hand and a very fine brush you can "cure" it??

Keep it up, overall a very fine job :-)
Cheers
Pedro

I added some bits and bobs. The MLG doors and the PE retraction cables:







The remedial work on the silvered decals has both good and bad. The balkenkreutz is finished and awaits a final matte coat:



Port serial came out well with some minor lifting. I think the final matte coat will sort that out. Starboard side will need another go:





Regards,

The class in remedial masking and spraying is out and it's not a bad end. Probably indicative that I should have done it this way first! I will give it a matte coat in a day or so and then go forward with weathering and final assembly:









Regards,

Kent,
Impressive stenciling and painting! I've yet to master stencils.

Gaz

You are too kind. I really should have gone this way in the first place. All a learning curve.

Regards

Welcome back,
I have flat coated the retouched markings, added the QB exhausts, sprayed the exhaust stains (a first for me) and completed the gunner's area:





















It won't win any awards but will sit nicely in my collection.

Regards,

Kent,
A nice build in my eyes. Really like the greenhouse and MG15 detail.

Gaz

I am really happy with how these turned out as well. The greenhouse is one of the defining characteristics of the Bf 110 and I am pleased it works.

Regards,

And down to the wire...literally. Ezi line antenna, heat stretched and pierced deflectors, PE and touch ups:





Pencil chipping with water colours and some AK Kerosene and AK Engine oil enamel washes:





QB MG 17's installed in the business end:





Into the cabinet in front of the 1/4 scale Bf 110 panel from the Royal Class boxing:



Thanks to all that followed and commented.

Beautiful build Kent, it looks great in the display with the big IP. Great thread, I will be referring back to this one when I get cracking on my Royal Class builds.

Cheers , D

Many thanks Damien.
You are too kind. There are a lot of flaws in my build that I have let go just to get it "off the bench". One thing I would do over is the engine instruments on the nacelles. They are marked with a circle and I have just put a decal over the top. It doesn't look right as it just sits on top when it should obviously be recessed. I would probably drill out the holes and mount the gauges on some card on the inside. Then mask them for painting and a drop of clear at the end to simulate the glass faces.
Having said all that I am pleased with the build overall and it is good to get it into the display shelf.

Regards,