Messerschmitt Bf109E-1, Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte, Wiener-Neustadt, 1940

[2996 Victor]

The idea for this build came from a couple of sources.

Firstly was @Dizzyfugu 's Macchi C.170 "Brezza". This made me consider what if the Anschluss had not taken place, but Austria had instead been a close ally of Germany. And secondly, I happened to spot some First World War Austro-Hungarian sworl camouflage decals on eBay, which I snapped up, swiftly followed by some IPMS Austrian roundels!

Around the same time I picked up a couple of Eduard 1/48 Bf109E kits. These have slightly over-long fuselages, so I thought I'd have a go at correcting this just to see if it was actually worth the bother. What better subject than a what-if!

Throwing caution and the instructions to the wind, I assembled the fuselage halves and engine cowling parts, and then made two cuts, one behind the cockpit and one ahead of the tail section. The adjacent fuselage segments were shortened as appropriate and the edges cleaned up, short lengths of styrene strip glued lengthwise to bridge the joints, and then the three pieces of the fuselage were re-united.

The steps in the diameter weren't too severe, and were mostly cleaned up with filing/sanding. The joint behind the cockpit had more of a step on the fuselage spine, and this was filled with CA/talc. Also, one side of the tail unit joint had a bit of a gap, so this was filled the same way. I need to re-scribe the fuselage segments in several places where they've been sanded down, and also to reinstate the joint lines along the top and bottom of the rear fuselage.

The cockpit sidewalls have been painted and the details picked out - not so easy when the fuselage halves are already joined.....(mental note!).

Next time, I'll add the back story.

Cheers for now,
Mark

Here are a few pics of what's happened so far.

[NARSES2]

Interesting subject and background. I particularly like the idea of no Anschluss but Austria being an ally of Germany 

I've built a few models of Austro-Hungarian types in the 30's based on a scenario whereby the Archduke wasn't assasinated and Austro-Hungary becomes a constitutional monarchy. Highly, highly unlikely I know, but it gave me an excuse to use those lovely WWI AH national markings 

[2996 Victor]

Interesting subject and background. I particularly like the idea of no Anschluss but Austria being an ally of Germany 

I've built a few models of Austro-Hungarian types in the 30's based on a scenario whereby the Archduke wasn't assasinated and Austro-Hungary becomes a constitutional monarchy. Highly, highly unlikely I know, but it gave me an excuse to use those lovely WWI AH national markings 

Thanks! It's a premise that could allow quite a few other German aircraft in Austrian service: He51, Hs123, He111A-F with the early-style cockpit, etc, spring to mind. I like your premise for the continuation of Austria-Hungary, too - some of those WWI markings were amazing! Are your builds on here? I've considered the other A-H camouflage schemes for this build (and may still change my mind about the sworl) as the hexagonal Tarnstoff is fascinating, while the late-WWI light/dark grey in zig-zag-edged bands is interesting but perhaps a bit bland.

I've, I think, pretty much finished the FSR stage on the fuselage joints and sprayed a coat of Tamiya rattle can primer over it. I can see now where I need to restore lost panel lines. A fair number of the rivets are gone as well, but I'm not a fan of small holes representing flush rivets so I might just rub some PPP into the rest and wipe off with a damp cloth! As for assembly, I need to be a bit wary of missing out things that should really go together before the fuselage halves

Cheers,
Mark

[NARSES2]

Some of my stuff will be on here, but it's a long time ago 

Here's a "Karas" I did in AH markings as an example though

You cannot view this attachment.

[2996 Victor]

Here's a "Karas" I did in AH markings as an example

Excellent - the KuK Kreigsmarine markings really suit it! Thanks for sharing that one

Cheers,
Mark

[The Wooksta!]

Austria was on the verge of buying He 112Bs when the Anschluss happened.

[2996 Victor]

Austria was on the verge of buying He 112Bs when the Anschluss happened.

Hmmmm! That sounds like a good project as well - not so much a what-if, more a very-nearly-was 

Cheers,
Mark

[jcf]

Some of my stuff will be on here, but it's a long time ago 

Here's a "Karas" I did in AH markings as an example though

You cannot view this attachment.

You didn't want to do it in the swirly, wallpaper cammo?

[NARSES2]

You didn't want to do it in the swirly, wallpaper cammo?

Nope, I still had a little of my sanity left at the time 

[2996 Victor]

Some of my stuff will be on here, but it's a long time ago 

Here's a "Karas" I did in AH markings as an example though

You cannot view this attachment.

You didn't want to do it in the swirly, wallpaper cammo?

You didn't want to do it in the swirly, wallpaper cammo?

Nope, I still had a little of my sanity left at the time 

Well now, I guess I'd better! And maybe an He112 as well?

[jcf]

Classic Bf 109E style with the undersurface colour brought up the sides and only the uppersides of the
flying surfaces and the top of the fuselage done in the swirls like an Oefag Albatross?

[2996 Victor]

Classic Bf 109E style with the undersurface colour brought up the sides and only the uppersides of the
flying surfaces and the top of the fuselage done in the swirls like an Oefag Albatross?

Absolutely spot-on - that's exactly what I was envisaging!

I've also been toying with the idea of introducing an intermediate colour on the fuselage sides, with pale blue just on the undersides, a bit like the US Navy 3-colour scheme.

Cheers,
Mark