ESM/YT international
1/5 scale 32cc BF-109E Kit Bash

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an ESM Bf-109e kit which I had been after for some time.
I disliked the livery that it was in and wanted some airbrush and marking practice for the Vampire so decided to change it, results below.

Other mods included but were not limted to: Binning the plastic wheel wells and lining them with balsa and glass cloth, replacement of the elevator pushrod and redesign of the linkage, updated hardware, squeezing in a DLA 32, addition of a scratch built drop tank pylon, addition of an esm fw-190 drop tank (with the retract air tank hidden inside) and the replacement of the esm retract spool valve and fill valve with quality Robart items.

For those wondering about set up, first flights were conducted with the CofG at 95mm behing the leading edge measured at the centerline. Elevator rates were flown at 16mm up and down and aileron rates at 20mm up and down with a Mk1 eyeball aileron differential dialed in. These rates were plenty and were left as is throughout the maiden flight. My air system was pressure tested up to 150psi and I fly with it at between 100 and 120psi

Full flap travel was used for the first landing but be sure to keep high power selected and your speed up.....no floaty three point landings with a Bf-109!!!!!!

Since the pics were taken she has had a flat clearcoat and some small additional details like aerials etc. She was initially clear coated with Aerokote flat clear which failed to properly set, stayed sticky and was as gloss as a gloss thing. Do NOT risk using Aerokote on your models, the mix ratios are vauge differing between those on the hardener, clearcoat and via the mfr, none of them work. A realy crap product....spend a little cash and get some automotive two pack flat clear and some long thinners (I use lessonal or PPG) and have it mixed with flatting powder to 100% flat. It goes off solid and sets like armour plate over the time consuming paint job underneath. I sprayed it at high pressure to enable me to avoid having use thinners and risking reaction with the aerokote rubbish. If you brush it on, mix it with the long thinners to retard the drying time a bit as it will go off fast.

 

 

 

 

 

1/4 Scale
Dh Vampire

Turbomeca
Palas

YT-International BF-109E
Kit bash

Rolls-Royce
/Blackburn
Palouste

Dart RDa6
Turboprop

Turbomeca
Marbore II