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World War II
Discuss WWII and the era directly before and after the war from 1935-1949.
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Utti Air Racer - Mersu over Finland
BlackWidow
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Posted: Sunday, May 10, 2020 - 06:52 AM UTC
Thanks folks!

Russell, I sure do understand that point. It's also a big problem here and although I have no children I see the problem with the job and home schooling the little ones. No one had to do this over such a long time. It's a big matter here but now Germany slowly comes back to normal life (but not the old life before Covid 19). More or less all businesses are open again since Monday or will in the next days and most schools also. I think the kindergardens will follow soon. But it's still not allowed to travel from one german state to another for leisure, only for work. Imagine that ....

Magnus, Vantaa has a great museum there. So many fantastic rare old birds. Been there in December 2014 the last time and I remember how cold it was inside the hangars. I do believe that all G-2 were really war weary and battered in the end. Though not many survived. Of 48 delivered G-2 (MT-201 to MT-248) 31 were lost in the war. MT-230 was one of the few survivers.
This is a very useful book with lots and lots of informations about the G-2 in Ilmavoimat service. And it's a perfect practice if you want to learn finnish .... Okay, all photos have also english subtitles and there's an english summary at the end. Got it at the Tikkakoski FiAF Museum but unfortunatly I don't have a book about the G-6 ....


Jessie, I take your comment as a compliment but silence is never useful in any forum ....

Here comes Part 2 of decaling MT-508. Best to start in my opinion is at the rear with decal 14. Just be careful where to place it ....

.... in step 6 I had some minor problems with the big decal 15. I had to cut a little bit so it was easier for the decal to lay around the curve (see red arrows). I have repaired that with a bit of white paint already. And now you know why I left the left elevator aside until now ....

.... next is step 7 which is the other big decal 19. It went on like a dream but here it's very important to place it with the front end on the bulge of the machine gun and directly underneath the canopy (see red arrows). Or it won't fit ....

.... there's another small decal which sits on the front side of the bulge. Here I made a little mistake with the placing but the "edge" is only seen in this macro photo. You have to know that it's there to see it ....

.... and finally in step 9 comes the small "B" which fits perfectly between the two big decals ....

For all decals I have used some amount of softener. It's no problem to apply them, it's just a bit time consumpting. Everything was done in 4 evenings.

The build has slowed down now because I'm already working on my next project, a colourful Leopard 2A4 of the Hellenic Army. So I stay with the colours blue and white for a while. But today I have sealed all decals with Bodenglänzer. I think I can open one hangar door for MT-508 already ....



Have a nice week!
Torsten
Jessie_C
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Posted: Sunday, May 10, 2020 - 12:51 PM UTC
That looks really sharp. I can hear the crowds cheering from here
AussieReg
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#007
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Posted: Sunday, May 10, 2020 - 02:43 PM UTC
G'day Torsten. I've just caught up with your builds here and taken a few minutes and a cup of coffee to trawl through the last few pages. Brilliant work my friend!

The unusual schemes are really eye-catching on the very familiar 109 form. Your detailed step-by-step build progress reports along with some historical images and information thrown in make this a wonderful thread to read through.

Congrats on the first completed build, looking forward to its partner joining it on the display shelf.

Cheers, D
RussellE
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Posted: Sunday, May 10, 2020 - 09:47 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks folks!

Russell, I sure do understand that point. It's also a big problem here and although I have no children I see the problem with the job and home schooling the little ones. No one had to do this over such a long time. It's a big matter here but now Germany slowly comes back to normal life (but not the old life before Covid 19). More or less all businesses are open again since Monday or will in the next days and most schools also. I think the kindergardens will follow soon. But it's still not allowed to travel from one german state to another for leisure, only for work. Imagine that ....



Hi Torsten

indeed, these are certainly strange times we live in... Hopefully one day, we can look back on this time as just a memory and life is back to what we used to know.

Here in Australia there is only a small easing of restrictions coming on Wednesday, but still no sign of schools returning to normal attendance.

I can honestly say home schooling has been one of the most stress full things I've ever witnessed.

Now, onto important items!

Those checkered decals look absolutely awesome! Very skillful application!

Are the same decals required to be added to the other side of the plane?
BlackWidow
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Posted: Monday, May 11, 2020 - 07:17 PM UTC
Thanks guys!

Russell, it's believed that the checkers were only on this side as there is only one photo existing of MT-508 as "Aircraft B". The other side has the usual camo RLM 74/75/76. The planes were flying in circles around the pylons showing only their left fuselage and wing.
RussellE
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Posted: Tuesday, May 12, 2020 - 09:55 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks guys!

Russell, it's believed that the checkers were only on this side as there is only one photo existing of MT-508 as "Aircraft B". The other side has the usual camo RLM 74/75/76. The planes were flying in circles around the pylons showing only their left fuselage and wing.



Well I guess that makes sense
BlackWidow
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Posted: Thursday, May 14, 2020 - 06:15 AM UTC
"Where is our racer? Do you see it?"
"Hm, no .... wait, see that black dot over there? Here she comes!"


And after a high speed low pass with wagging wing tips we have a touch down at the Rossmann Landing Ground (or is it just my cutting mat?)

Messerschmitt "Mersu" Bf 109 G-6, MT-508, HLeLv 31, Finnish Air Force, Utti Air Base, Midsummernight Festival Air Race, 23. June 1950
Pilot on this occasion: Luutnantti Arvo Arima






.... and both finished Finns side by side ....


So, with 126 photos my build blog of these unusual painted 109 comes to an end. "Kiitos!" to everybody who visited it and gave a feedback. In the meantime I have added MT-230 to my Assembly Line Thread with some more photos. Have a look if you like.

Happy modelling and stay safe!
Torsten
Jessie_C
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Posted: Thursday, May 14, 2020 - 08:50 AM UTC
It's another marvellous model! The finish is quite, quite excellent
AussieReg
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Posted: Thursday, May 14, 2020 - 11:09 AM UTC
Beautifully finished builds Torsten, and a very informative and entertaining thread as always!

Cheers, D
BlackWidow
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Posted: Friday, May 15, 2020 - 05:57 AM UTC
Thanks Jessie and Damian! I'm glad, that you have enjoyed following my blog.

Btw., the historic photo in my last post was in fact made in Utti, but during the war, and the pilots are watching their comrades doing aerobatics. So it fits perfect for MT-508. It's taken from the above mentioned book.
RussellE
#306
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Posted: Monday, May 18, 2020 - 10:24 AM UTC
Two beautiful builds of 2 fantastic aircraft, Torsten!

Thanks once again for sharing!

It's been one helluva ride! These builds will be missed!

Russ
BlackWidow
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Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2020 - 07:36 AM UTC
Thanks for your kind words, Russell! They are much appreciated! I'm glad to hear that you've enjoyed the trip to the scandinavian skies, one of my favourite places in Europe. You don't have to miss my builds, you can have a look in here as often as you like. And I just have to raise my head a bit from the PC monitor as my shelf of pride is just above it and both Mersu are now sitting next to my view ....

I still have some decals left from this great sheet so there will follow more Mersu some time in the future.

Of course I have added MT-508 also to my Assembly Line Thread now. Check it out if you like.

Happy modelling!
Torsten
RussellE
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Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2020 - 10:56 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks for your kind words, Russell! They are much appreciated! I'm glad to hear that you've enjoyed the trip to the skandinavian skies, one of my favourite places in Europe. You don't have to miss my builds, you can have a look in here as often as you like. And I just have to raise my head a bit from the PC monitor as my shelf of pride is just above it and both Mersu are now sitting next to my view ....

I still have some decals left from this great sheet so there will follow more Mersu some time in the future.

Of course I have added MT-508 also to my Assembly Line Thread now. Check it out if you like.

Happy modelling!
Torsten



Indeed I did enjoy the trip to Scandinavian skies, Torsten... Hoping to see another one sooner rather than later
Redhand
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Posted: Saturday, June 06, 2020 - 01:19 AM UTC

Quoted Text

In September 2019 I visited the FiAF Museum in Tikkakoski for the third time and this Mersu is still looking great.



That's quite a museum! On my bucket list!
Redhand
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Posted: Saturday, June 06, 2020 - 01:38 AM UTC
And these are amazing builds!
BlackWidow
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Posted: Saturday, June 06, 2020 - 09:51 PM UTC
Thanks for stepping in and leaving a comment, Brian! Much appreciated!

The Tikkakoski Museum is certainly worth a visit. There's so much to see. And the folks at the museum always have time for a chat, especially when they notice that you're a scale model builder. Plan a whole day for the visit. And you can leave lots of money in the museum shop. So many fantastic books you would hardly find anywhere else.
https://airforcemuseum.fi/

But I don't know if you find accomodation in Tikkakoski, it's just a small village. The bigger town Jyväskylä is about 20 km south, there you'll find a place to stay.

Happy modelling!
Torsten
Redhand
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Posted: Sunday, June 07, 2020 - 02:05 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks for stepping in and leaving a comment, Brian! Much appreciated!

The Tikkakoski Museum is certainly worth a visit. There's so much to see. And the folks at the museum always have time for a chat, especially when they notice that you're a scale model builder. Plan a whole day for the visit. And you can leave lots of money in the museum shop. So many fantastic books you would hardly find anywhere else.
https://airforcemuseum.fi/

But I don't know if you find accomodation in Tikkakoski, it's just a small village. The bigger town Jyväskylä is about 20 km south, there you'll find a place to stay.

Happy modelling!
Torsten



One of these days, in my dreams, Torsten. The Finnish AF in WWII has always fascinated me, especially with their use of the Brewster Buffalo. BW-372 rightly belongs in the Museum, but I had the great privilege when it was stored at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida to be allowed to physically inspect it and to touch it. It was a wonderful experience.

PS, your modeling skills are top notch.
BlackWidow
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Posted: Monday, June 08, 2020 - 03:35 AM UTC
Thanks for your kind words about my skills, Brian. Coming from you it's like a commendation. But I know quite a few guys here on Aeroscale who are better than me

Don't wait too long to make your dream come true. One day your health might say "No!" to a trip to Europe. That's one reason why I'm travelling a lot.

Concerning Brewster BW-372, she's still there and the pride of the museum, beside the Hurricane HC-452. They will leave her as she looks now. You can even still see the bullet holes in the wings ....





.... been there on a Tuesday, no vacation time in Finland, so I had the museum almost for myself .... Good for me, bad for the museum ....

.... and the pilot of BW-372 on that day ....

Redhand
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Posted: Wednesday, June 10, 2020 - 12:35 AM UTC
Torsten:

I like the picture of you in the Museum! BW-372 is certainly a beauty!

I ran across this picture of a Finnish 109 Racer, "D". Have you seen it before?



Looks like you are from Bayern. I was lucky enough to live in Munich from 1967-69 while attending the Univ. of Md. - Munich Campus there at McGraw Kaserne. But THAT was a prior lifetime.

in the next couple of days, I will be posting on an unusual model I have just about finished.

Best!

Brian
BlackWidow
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Posted: Thursday, June 11, 2020 - 12:05 AM UTC
Thanks, Brian! Yes, during my research I also found this photo of "Racer D". If there would be profiles and decals for all 4 racers, I would love to build them all. Each looked different. But "Racer B" is a good start.

No, I don't live in Bayern. My hometown is Karlsruhe in the neighbour state Baden-Württemberg, just a few kilometers away from the border to France.

You're right, the older we get, our younger lifes seem to be in a different lifetime. So my army time is 30 years ago now. We ain't getting younger ....
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