High in the skies of Northern Europe - Spring 1945. Finished Models

[PR19_Kit]

One of the stencils on the drop tank is "Keine Bombe !" which I think roughly translates to "not a bomb !" (Keine is no ?). Gave me a little smile anyway 

Ja, genau. 

[Captain Canada]

Wow that's a lot of work on the stencilling !

[NARSES2]

Well here's the finished kits.

Firstly the MB5 which I feel a little sorry for as it didn't get the attention it should have for various reasons.

In all honesty when I started this build I had a fairly extensive backstory in mind. Unfortunately it got no farther than the title as I ran out of steam for some reason, mainly to do with the fact that I realised how much research was needed to get it anywhere near right.

So here is MB5 "Monsoon" NX-L of 133 Squadron R.A.F. Harrowbeer Spring 1946. The Monsoon's replaced the Spitfire Mk VII's the squadron had previously used and were painted in the high altitude scheme for use in the high flying bomber escort mission.

The kit is not as nice a build as the same companies Me 109H which I built in parallel but is still quite a nice one as long as some care is taken during construction. In all honesty I was not in the best of moods whilst building this and it got stuck in a bit of a dead end for some while so, given the mood I was in, it would probably be a lot fairer of me to postpone final judgement until I've built another. Would I build another ? Undoubtedly yes. Have I got another ? Yes. Will I get others ? Probably.

[NARSES2]

Me 109H-1/R6 flown by Lt Patrick Piech based at based at Grosspriesen – sud, Spring 1946. Markings as per one of the options in the AZ boxing. Although intended for high altitude interceptions by this stage of the war concealment on the ground was considered to be far more important than concealment in the air whence the late war green's camouflage. Some of these aircraft were also used in a night fighting role and one of those particular aircraft will be among my next tranche of builds.

I enjoyed this kit. It went together really well and is at the very top end of the so called "limited run" part of the market. Indeed it is better than some recent kits by "mainstream manufacturers" that I've built.

[PR19_Kit]

They both look brill Chris, and although I hate to say it, the 109H looks REALLY good! 

(It must be the long wings of course  ) 

The high altitude scheme suits the Monsoon too, and changes the overall look of the aircraft. It doesn't look as deep as it does in the prototype's camo scheme.

Like you I have another one already and I'm cogitating on how to build it right now.

[Thorvic]

Nice work on both models Chris  .

The MB-5 was rushed a bit in the kit creation as they wanted something special for SMW 2016, they may have made some refinements for the Sea Baker kit , The 109 could also benefit from their existing research  and other variants they have already done, where as the MB-5 is somewhat short on reference material to work with.

[PR19_Kit]

The MB-5 was rushed a bit in the kit creation as they wanted something special for SMW 2016, they may have made some refinements for the Sea Baker kit ,

Not that I can see. Having bought one of each the only differences I can see are the decal sheet and the box lid. The sprues and instructions look identical to me.

[TallEng]

Both looking good, just wondering if the full yellow nose on the Me109H is correct for 1946?*
I'd of thought just the bottom half if that.**
The white tail is for gruppe or formation leader? I think.
However I must say the MB5 does look handsome in those colours
But it's proportions always look odd to me, it Needs longer wings and a bigger fin/rudder

Regards
Keith
*yes it is a bit odd a wiffer worrying about the authenticy of a colour scheme
**your whiff your choice.

[PR19_Kit]

But it's proportions always look odd to me, it Needs longer wings..............

[zenrat]

Nice.  Good work Chris.

[Old Wombat]

Nice beasties, Chris! Both look well up to the job!

But it's proportions always look odd to me, it Needs longer wings and a bigger fin/rudder

I think so, too, but smaller wings allow for a faster roll rate & a few fractions (or should that be decimals? ) of a second when getting out of someone's sights can make the difference between fighting another day or a telegram to the family. So, I also understand where the designers were coming from.

The tailplane & rudder could still be enlarged, though.

[Rick Lowe]

As has been said, nice work. 

[NARSES2]

Cheers gents, and I do agree re the MB5 she does look a little squat. Would suit slightly increased span I think.

Both looking good, just wondering if the full yellow nose on the Me109H is correct for 1946?*
I'd of thought just the bottom half if that.**

Keith

Almost certainly correct Keith, I know nothing much about late war German markings. I just went with the box art and transfers as it looked good