MONOGRAM 1:48 ME-109G-10 "GUSTAV"

 

Reviewer: Michael Johnson  (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted:  1 January 2003

The Kit

I picked this kit up at a Kmart sale a number of years ago for a measly $5.00, which I thought, was a bargain. Opening the box reveals two dark green sprues and 1 clear. All the parts were clean and flash free with engraved panel lines but did suffer from some ejector pin marks. Thankfully these were in inconspicuous places. There is one markings option in the kit. I decided to build this straight out of the box.

The kit as presented by Monogram is a G-10, one of the later model Me109’s that had streamlined bulging around the cowls to house larger calibre machine guns. Some research on the web revealed the kit to be somewhat of a favourite amongst Me109 lovers for its accuracy and ease of construction…. Oh well the proof would be in the building I guess. I am not a “rivet counter” so the need for absolute accuracy is wasted with me. 


© Michael Johnson 2003

Construction

Construction (as always) started in the cockpit, Detail was pretty basic but certainly adequate. Instrument panel details benefited from some careful painting and were painted in RLM66 with dials in black followed by careful dry brushing with flat white picking out all the moulded detail. I then used various colours in conjunction with colour artwork from one of my sourcebooks to complete the panel. At this stage I decided to fabricate some seat cushions with Milliput, which along with Eduard etched belts spruced up the kit seat. Sidewalls were hand brushed RLM66 and then washed with oils to enhance the moulded detail. Dry brushing was then used to add wear and tear.


© Michael Johnson 2003

The cockpit was sandwiched between the 2 fuselage halves and the whole assembly was set aside to dry. The wonderful thing about this kit was the fit of parts. I was very pleased that the whole assembly was hassle free; all parts fit very well with little filler required anywhere. 

The lone paint scheme called for RLM81/RLM71 over RLM65, a typical scheme for late 1944/early 1945 Luftwaffe aircraft. The fuselage sides were to be heavily mottled with a mixture of RLM81/RLM71. At this stage of the war the once proud Luftwaffe Jagdflieger arm operated out of forested areas and hidden shelters to avoid detection by allied airpower. 

I used a new technique whilst applying the camouflage on my Me109G-10, I wanted a worn looking paint effect and thus lightened each colour with a drop or two of white paint, and sprayed this onto the centre of each previously painted area. This faded the paintwork nicely. It is important not to overdo this effect, subtlety is the key, otherwise a patchwork quilt effect would result.

Painting & Decaling

The kit decals represent yellow 7 of JG300 during mid 1944 and are of a typical Monogram quality. The decals are slightly thick and very matte, it seems, when examined closely, that the “Reichsverteidigung “ or “Defenders of the Reich” rear fuselage band was comprised of fine dots. Not very good silk screening quality control in my opinion. However they looked good enough and as I had no aftermarket items at hand they would have to suffice. A couple of thin coats of Johnson’s Super Stride (otherwise known as Future or Klear) provided a gloss surface in preparation for the next step - decaling.


© Michael Johnson 2003

The decals went onto the kit with no problems, although a little coaxing and more decal softening agent were needed to make the fuselage band decal conform to the shape of the fuselage. Swastika markings from my spares box completed decaling, as none is included on the supplied sheet.

The decals were then sealed with another coat of Johnson’s Super Stride and left to set for another 24 hours. Now the fun part, weathering!!!

Final Touches

All those lovely engraved panel lines where then treated to a wash of thinned raw ochre/burnt sienna oil paints, the excess wiped off with a cotton bud and soft lint free cloth. The dark wash imparted a more “grimy” worn feeling to the Me109, more in keeping with service use. Cannon barrels were treated with chalk pastel gun smoke strains created from a combination of black and grey colours. Exhaust staining was then added around the exhausts using a darker mix and finally wear at the wing root and fuselage side where simulated with careful dry brushing using Humbrol flat aluminium.

The pre-painted undercarriage and propeller/spinner were then added and two thin coats of Aeromaster flat were applied to restore the matte finish of the paintwork. The tacked on and masked canopy was removed, masking removed and then re-set into an open position and my Me109-G10 was complete!

All in all, a fantastic and inexpensive kit. I do like Monogram kits, they are inexpensive in the most part and with can be worked up to a great replica with a little effort and time. I believe this kit is also available under the Revell label.


© Michael Johnson 2003

References


© Michael Johnson 2003

 

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