SPA Modeler

I need to look Into finding some of this graphite you are doing some really cool things with it.

I’ve not used graphite as a weathering method.... but I agree with Floki and like the look of it!

Clint and Brent—
Thanks so much for your comments—
Please do check out water soluble graphite—
I use Derwent Graphite water soluble graphite pencils.
These are paperwrapped sticks made using Caran D’Ache formula.
You can peel the paper off or do as I do and use a pencil sharpener—
Or carve them or grind ‘em!



I use a scrap of parchment, grind the graphite—
Making a “dark spot” that I then use a wet brush to activate.



The monolith surface is crushed, rubbed graphite over black paint.

Ahhh.... the wing bulges as separate parts makes sense! I should've assumed as much since FM obviously did its research in presenting the correct fuel port and hatch locations on the K-4 fuselage but I didn't see the bulge parts when you presented the sprues.

Yes, the five-sided access hatch on the sloped bulkhead behind the pilot is what I was referring to. It should only have four sides as shown on the photo that I attached. That photoetched part (28) looks redundant to me as it adds no detail on the cockpit sill and the aforementioned hatch is already scribed in plastic... not sure what the benefit of adding that to the model would be?

Here are some photos of White 1 of 9./JG77 that I was able to find on the internet. Note the high demarcation line between the upper camo and lower camo colors. This is characteristic of the WNr 330xxx batch of K-4's. Also note the absence of the outer wheel well doors on this particular aircraft.




Krysztof Woloski assigns WNr 330225 to White 1 in his book, "Bf109 Late Versions, Camouflage & Markings" (2010). It depicts the last three numbers of the WNr spray painted on the rear fuselage, which was commonly seen on K-4's.


JaPo's "Messerschmitt Bf 1099K Camouflage & Marking", which I consider to be the best reference available on the K-4, gives a different WNr (330204) to White 1 and includes an additional photo of this aircraft, with this caption, "A 9./JG77 pilot in front of Bf 109K-4 "White 1" W. Nr. 330204. A characteristic camouflage pattern on the engine identifies the plane as the "White 1". The photograph also shows parts of its markings. Despite the poor quality of the picture we can see the dark undercarriage legs (RLM66) and wheel discs (RLM22) as well as part of the "Achtung! Krafstoff behalter" sign on the drop tank. Note the mechanical undercarriage position indicator typical for Bf 109Ks."

John! Thank you so much. You just ejected my post 2002-5 color profile like a magazine from a clip with the combination of black and white photos, and the color profile. What a challenge... How m’I gonna do its last three work numbers on the side(s) of the fuselage, for example. As an aside, why do I like HGW decals best? Perhaps I ought to draw/translate the markings and send him a file for wet transfer decals in 1/72... Anyway, now that the clock has jumped officially to 2019...



Shazam, JaPo!

Sketchbook thoughts - a new hatch (some I have seen with first aid markings but perhaps not the K-4) and how to fold a teensy tiny piece of photo etched metal to look like it flopped over the edge of the seat. Why not?

The colors on late war 109's are always subjective so I wouldn't take the Woloski profile as definitive. To confuse you even more, I'll post some more interpretations of White 1...






The JaPo K-4 book has a detailed analysis of camo patterns based on the different production batches of the K-4. I'll PM you the pages that are relevant to the 330xxx batch, which might help point you in a general direction but you'll probably have to make some speculative choices on colors.

The sprayed number on the side of the fuselage behind the cross is not definite. I personally would lean that way given what I perceive in the photo of White 1 and the practices of the time but it could also be mottling.

That would drive me nuts! But at least they look good no matter which way you go!

Wow, I don't know what to say! What a masterful job on the cockpit and the information in this Thread lately is out of this world!

You're doing a great job on that pit so far Bruce. I added that PE hatch panel to my 1/48 scale as well as my 1/24th scale 109. On the 1/48th version it didn't , as John said, matter a whole lot. Kind of a redundant piece. On the 1/24 scale build, however, it made a whole bunch of difference. Really liking all the progress and research going into this build Bruce. You da man....keep up the good work.

Thank you all so much!