This yet another build of the Tamya Bf 109E-4/7 Trop. I decided to go with aftermarket decals for this build, namely Aeromaster 48-248 Marauding Emils part 3. The build was going to represent the second subject on the sheet, so it was built as an E-4.

As with my previous build, there isn't much to say about the actual assembly. I used my usual Tamiya mix for the RLM 02, a 50/50 mix of Tamiya XF-2 Flat While and XF-23 Light Blue for the RLM 65, and straight XF-61 Dark Green for the RLM 71. Although I have used XF-61 for RLM 71 several times in the past, I think it is too dark. One page I came across (but have lost the URL) suggested using XF-81 RAF Dark Green for RLM 71, and based on some visual comparisons on the web, I think that may be a good choice. Have to remember that for the next build!

As with the previous build, the mottling was applied by hand. This time, it turned out a bit better, since the drawing on the Aeromaster sheet showed the mottling as rather heavy. Also, I thinned the paint a bit before applying, and I think that helped.

I broke the guns from the kit, so I purchased the Quickboost 48-090 set. I used Tamiya X-10 Gun Metal, with some X-21 Flat Base to flatten it. The X-21 didn't seem to do much.

For the pre-decal gloss coat, I used Tamiya TS-13 Clear Spray. Although I almost always impressed with Tamiya products, this didn't any better than the Krylon sprays I tried in the past, and is much more expensive. After the decals were applied, I sprayed Future, cut a bit with Jason Jones reducer, sprayed through my Badger Anthem. It went on well. After that gloss coat, I used Right Step Matte for the final finish.

I manually created an SVG file for the canopy and used it to make my own masks. This time, they fit quite well. I used Oramask 810 for the masking material, which worked well.

Page last updated June 15, 2023.