STORMO! Hasegawa 1/48 Bf.109 G-6/R6/Trop Italian Ace Ugo Drago by Michel Gruson

Hasegawa 1/48 Bf.109 G-6/R6/Trop
Italian Ace Ugo Drago
by Michel Gruson

Hasegawa 1/48 Bf.109 G-6/R6/Trop

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As the Bf 109G-1 and G-2 the Bf 109G-5 and G-6 were produced in parallel and were essentially pressurized and non pressurized versions of the same variant. The non-pressurized Bf 109G-6 was much more numerous than the G-5, more widely used and was also much longer-lived, being introduced in early 1943 and still in first-line service in 1945. Initially the only external difference between the G-6 and the G-5 was the small fresh air intake scoop found on either side of the windscreen of the nonpressurized G-6. All modifications made to the G-5 air frame were also made to the G-6, however, because of its much longer production life the G-6 evolved through additional changes after production of the pressurized G-5 was terminated.

The stepped-up Allied bomber offensive against Germany and occcupied Europe, forced the Luftwaffe to use the Bf 109G series in a variety roles to counter the overwhelming numbers of Allied planes. The Fw 190, while a more ideal bomber intercepter because of its heavy armament, did not have the altitude perforrmance necessary, nor the numbers to effectively stem the tide. The Bf 109G-6 was modified into a number of roles for which it was unnsuited and its performance suffered as a result. When combined with less capable pilots, the results were predictable and Bf 109G-6 units were decimated, hunted by packs of P-51 Mustangs and P-47 Thunderrbolts during 1944. The most widely produced versions of the G-6 were the R-3 fighter (300 liter drop tank), the R-6 fighter (MG 151/20 under-wing guns) and the R-2 reconnaissance fighter (Rb 50/30 camera innstallation). Some experimentation was untertaken with the 21cm BR 21 underwing air-to-air rockets, but proved unsuitable and were seldom used operationally except by a few test groups.

Early production G-6 aircraft, like its pressurized counterpart, had a tall radio mast, however, the majority of G-6 aircraft built were in the late configuration equipped with the short radio mast, FuG 25A IFF and whip antenna, and the R-7 radio OF loop. The tall wooden tail was also used extensively by the G-6. Introduced on a few G-5 aircraft, the erla haube canopy was widely used on very late production G-6 machines. Sometimes incorrectly called the "Galland hood", this canopy replaced the main canopy and rear section with a single clear canopy with two thin frames on either side of the top. Because of its excellent visibility the erla haube proved popular, although there were complaints that it was difficult to open during an emergency.

Cooling problems had always plagued the Bf 109G series and with the advent of the Bf 109G-6/Trop a fix was made on two areas of coolling. First, a small scoop was added to the MG 131 bulge on the right side of the cowling to provide additional cooling to the generator. Also on the right side, just in front of the scoop was added a small bulged cover to accomodate a larger oil pump.

Some G-6 aircraft were fitted with the DB 605AS engine with increased supercharging resulting in the asymetrical "refined" cowling bulges. Bf 109G-6AS aircraft were known to have served with the ANR and a number of Luftwaffe units.[1]

The Regia Aeronautica placed orders for a number of Bf.109s including the G-6 as an interim fighter until the more refined Series 5 fighters were available. Although the Series 5 fighters were more modern and exhibited better performance than the Bf.109, particualrly in a dog-fight, not all Italian pilots preferred the Series 5 fighters, most notably Ugo Drago.

References
[1] Beaman, J. Jr., "Messerschmitt Bf 109", No.57, Squadron/Signal Publications, Texas, 1983

Even as squadron commander, Lt. Ugo Drago always stuck to the individual code '7', considering it a lucky number. This aircraft carried the large white codes typical of 363a Squadriglia but lacks the Gruppo badge and wing markings. Ref.[2]

Construction

It is with an operation of surgery that begins this assembly, all the part before of the fuselage must be deleted to receive and make the engine DB 605A visible. The lines of engraving are of a big utility and facilitate strikingly this spot; it is simply enough to define those who are of use as guide to the tool to be engraved(burnt) at first and finally to cut exactly with a saw in photo cut very fine. The drift and The elevators are cut and repositioned slightly aimed (slightly held up,slightly antagonized).

The Cockpit:
The cockpit FM is magnificent, all the dials, the consoles, the levers and the buttons are represented to it with realism and loyalty. Only a stake in well-kept painting is necessary to give her life. It is put in color with various acrylic tints Prince August. The set is powdered then abundantly by means of pigments dark brown and an energetic cleaning is made to remove the surplus of pigments. Finally a dry brushing with the white - broken is realized to stress reliefs.

Wings:
Hasegawa contented with representing by the engraving the place of the lights of navigations of wings. They are thus redone in a concern of improvement with pieces of transparent cluster. Having cut their place by means of a fine saw, small pieces are stuck before being sanded with some sandpaper by increasing gradually the sharpness of the grain until the polishing to restore their transparency.

Fuselage:
Both internal sides of the cockpit are stuck first of all before closing the fuselage. The part in resin reproducing the partition firewall and the support of the MG 131 of 13mn is sealed after a stake in painting made by RLM 02 and by black for some details.

The fuselage and the wings are now assembled by imprisoning the floor of the cockpit there. The lines of rivets are represented. To do it, a plan of BF 109 G-6 found in specialist magazines serves as guide. They are drawn first of all in the lead pencil to guide then the passage of the roulette in riveter. This operation ends by a general sanding of the whole kit to clean its surface.

Landing Gear:
The legs of the train are decorated with thread of tin to represent the durits of the braking system. Fine strips cut from the ribbon-mask Tamiya are arranged to feign the necklaces of preservation of cables. Then the complete train is painted with the grey-green RLM 02 before skating it. I chose to replace the wheels Hasegawa with the resine parts ULtracast. They are completely painted with the satiny black Tamiya. Wheels are masked and a pulverizing with NATO black Tamiya. The set is then skated with pigments.

Propeller and Spinner:
The spinner Hasegawa is replaced by that in resin of Fusion. It is painted in white. Blades are painted in black green RLM 70. Their internal extremities are slightly tinged with some aluminum to feign their wear.

Painting and Markings:
Stormo! BF 109 Aces proposes us in its very beautiful board " leaves I " 5 Italian decorations quite so attractive the some that the others. My attention settled more particularly on Ugo Drago's device which is unquestionably one of the best not to say the best Italian pilot on BF 109.

Her, camouflage is of the most classic with the RLM 76 for the intrados; for the extraback of the RLM 74 and RLM 75 with some tasks in RLM 02/75 and 74 on the sides of the fuselage. To note, on wings a demarcation between both grey RLM 74 and 75 of the type " tooth of saw " practiced in Germany in factories Erla in Leipzig. Another peculiarity of this BF 109 Italian is that the pre-existent badges of German nationality as well as the codes, were deleted by Grigio Azzuro chiaro's application.

A brilliant varnish is then applied to the whole kit to receive the décals which settle (arise) without difficulties. A second coat of the same varnish comes to seal this work. To give her an operational aspect, a dark brown juice in the oil diluted with some “essence F “is spread in engravings.

The zones of step on joins karma are discreetly “éraillées”. To obtain this effect, I used some silvery ink of a pen, put deposited sensibly with a very fine brush and a wooden toothpick. An spraying of matt varnish encloses this episode.

The stake in painting and it skates, are ended at the moment, the realization and the implementation of the engine can begin. It is unmistakably the most delicate stage, a single distance from collage (sticking) risks to compromise the alignment and thus, the general aspect of this BF 109. Every parts up to the spinner must be sealed with rigor.

Engine!
The engine DB 605 realized by F.M is magnificent, he nearly not more than the networks of cables and durits to represent for more realism.

The diverse cables and durits are made by means of thread of tin of rather big diameter stuck on the cyano. For the system of ignition, the thread of finer copper is used. The engine is painted in satiny black, the arms of builds in RLM 02.

Her implementation asks for a lot of precision, because its alignment with the fuselage must be completed. The hood containing the radiator of oil receives some improvements; the mobile sector allowing regulating the airflow is cut and replaced by the leaf of aluminum. Her system of opening and pipes are represented with diverse elements (thread of tin, stretched plastic).

The escapes are painted in chestnut, then, they are rubbed with pigments of various tints for it skate. Deflectors in photo-cut are added to the escapes. They must be exactly stuck because they determine the good driving location of hoods. I recovered there several times before finding their good place!

The engine exhaust is applied using an airbrush with a mixture of black and red. The final assembly is made and ends with the installation of the antenna wire.

Technical Data

Aircraft: Messerschmitt Bf.109G6/R6
Manufacturer: Messerschmitt A. G.
Type: Fighter
Year: 1943
Engine: Damiler Benz DB 605A, 12-cylinder V, liquid-cooled 1,475hp
Wingspan: 32 ft ½ in (9.95m)
Length: 29ft 7 1/8 (8.84m)
Height: 8ft 2 ½ in (2.49m)
Weight: 6,834lb (3,095 kg) (Loaded)
Maximum Speed: 386mph at 22,640ft
Ceiling: 39,370ft (12,000m)
Range: 528miles (850km)
Armament: 2 x 13mm MG 131 MGs; 2 x MG 151/20 mm cannon
Crew: 1

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