Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4

The Bf 109F-4 continues Hasegawa's fantastic Messerschmitt series offering the entire line of 109s from the Bf 109E through the final war time production machine, the Bf 109K. The Hasegawa kits along with the B and C from HobbyCraft allows the modeler to build a complete collection of wartime Messerschmitt Bf 109s. Kudos must go to Hasegawa for attempting such an effort let alone completing it with such excellence.
  The kits have common parts where applicable, but Hasegawa has not spared expense in producing separate sprues of different parts as required to produce the most accurate representation of the respective aircraft.
  Molded in light gray plastic the sprues are virtually flash free. To often manufacturers have positioned the panel lines of the F and G the same ­Hasegawa has not, the panel lines are delicate and correctly positioned for each series.
  The cockpit is replaced with an after market True Detail resin (TD48493) cockpit which was designed for the Hasegawa kit. Using the painting guide that comes with the resin cockpit along with photos in Monogram's German Aircraft Interior book, the resin cockpit was finished and was set aside for installation later.
  Following the instructions the propeller shaft was installed and using Tennax 7 it was glued the fuselage halves together. The fuselage was set aside to dry while. When the fuselage and wing assembly were dry the cockpit was installed, then very carefully wing assembly was glued to the fuselage with Zap Superglue. 
The wheels were replaced with True Detail weighted wheels (TD 48003). First were painted the hubs, then covering the hubs with Fast Mask Wheel Hub Masks (TD83103) the tires were sprayed with a dark gray to simulate used rubber.
  The colors called for on the Hasegawa plans are three shades of gray, which are probably correct. 
  After a coat of Future dried, the kit decals went on nicely, snuggling down with an application of Micro Sol. A sealer coat was then sprayed of Future on the model and all the unassembled parts. When the sealer was dry several light coats of Testors Clear Flat Spray were sprayed and allowed it to dry overnight.
When the Clear Flat Spray was dry (at least 24 hours) the penciling process is next. Using a Koh I NOOR RAPIDOMATIC mechanical pencil with .03 lead the panel lines were penciled in as well as some rivets that Hasegawa has seen fit to indent. 
  Penciled panel lines may not pass the muster of the accuracy/realism police, but I've always thought of modeling as more of an art form based on engineering rather than an extension of engineering. And Hasegawa's engineering on their 109 series is superb, a perfect vehicle to add a good bit art.

Used Colours:

Gunze TS5061 RLM76 Light Gray
Gunze TS5060 RLM75 Gray Violet
Gunze TS5059 RLM74 Dark Gray