Another build from the Shelf of Doom. I started this kit some time last year (I think) and put it aside, as I wasn't happy with the way it was turning out. When I picked it up again, I figured I could live with it.

There is nothing much to say about the kit, except to say that it does not go together like a Tamiya - but doesn't cost as much as Tamiya either. I decided to do a Romanian subject. (After looking at my shelves of completed kits, I realized I've built several Romanian subjects.) The RLM 04 is Tamiya XF-3 Flat Yellow, the RLM 65 on the bottom is a Tamiya mix I made a number of years ago - I didn't note the formula I used. I've seen the upper surfaces of Romanian 109's shown as both RLM 70 Black Green and RLM 71 Dark Green. I've already done one using RLM 70, so I decided to make this one RLM 71. I used AMMO 0233 RLM 71 Dunkelgrün, which was a bit more olive-ish than I expected.

The decals came from the kit. The same subject is on USK sheet 4103. I started to use the USK sheet, but the first decal I tried did not want to come off the backing sheet, so I discarded it and used the Hobbycraft sheet. Interestingly, the USK painting instructions show the camouflage as a splinter pattern of RLM 71 and RLM 70, but I don't think I've ever seen a Gustav with a splinter pattern.

I used EZ Mask number 21 to mask the canopy. The fit wasn't perfect, but given how the rest of the model was turning out, it was good enough. The way I glued in the instrument panel did not leave an opening for the gunsight, so I left it off. I also omitted the armor plate behind the pilot's head, as you have to glue it directly to the top of the main canopy, and I didn't think that would look clean.

Page last updated February 14, 2024.