Foam board ME 109, first foam build, anyone else want to join in?

[martin collins 1]

Ok i admit it i love ME/BF 109`s, the simple lines and colouful schemes make it great to build and to paint, i have built a Cambrian Fun fighter and have both Royal 1/2A and Aerotech International kits in my to build stash. I am getting very interested in this latest wave of foam board models as it enables you to produce aircraft that aren`t available as kits or even plans, many just go with a 3 view as a starting point. I am partial to a number of the WW2 Japanese aircraft and would like to build a couple of their twins but don`t want to run before i walk so have chosen the 109 as a simple type scale shape to dip my toe in! Looking around at plans to use as a basis i came across Boddo`s old 109 plan on the Outerzone website and thought that would provide a good starting point, probably blown up half as big again. I am fishing around for basic advice on building with foam board as there are seemingly some great scale models being turned out by the forum members, what thickness board, Maker or Hobbycraft, hotmelt or POR? Richard Wills has done a couple of detail tutorials, anyone got anything like that they could share. Once the foam is ordered and cutting commences i will post the build up here, anyone else fancy using these plans to have a bash? Mine will be simple hand launch as per the plan to save weight and for ease of construction.

      https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=11752

Messerschmitt_Me109E_Combat_oz11752 (1).pdf

Edited July 30, 2022 by martin collins 1

[martin collins 1]

Found a great forum AND downloadable Flite Test foam 109 plans, i shall be building from those now.  

https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/master-series-bf-109-build.65732/

 

[Zflyer]

Look at Experimental Airlines on you tube. There a little be old now but the principles are still the same. Though you don't have to cover with packing tape if you choose not too.

[perttime]

I didn't study the Flitetest design too closely yet. What size is it?

 

I see that the final plan can be downloaded if you are logged in but there are earlier versions in the thread linked above.

https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?resources/master-series-bf-109.232/

[martin collins 1]

About 45" span measuring the wings on the plan, the full size plans can be downloaded on this page, https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?members/whit-armstrong.49164/#resources    ME 110 plans on there as well.

these ones give a smaller version on this post

109 plans.pdf

Edited July 31, 2022 by martin collins 1

[Graham Davies 3]

Hi Martin,

 

Great you're having a go. There's a few of us on here enjoying some FB fun, so feel free to drop us a line. it would be great to share the love, so ask questions on here and we'll share what we've learned so far, what worked, what didn't, what we're planning and what we'd do differently next time.

 

I share your love for jap twins; I went straight in and the Ki45 was my first foamboard model. It flies so well amd other club memebrs still can't believe how easy it is for me to solo hand launch a 60" twin!

 

Graham

[RICHARD WILLS]

Go for it Martin . I think they have a pretty good shape on that design . 

I like the fact that they are very light and cheap but can still be painted up to look the part . 

Its also a great way to improve your low flying skills without all the stress of retracts . 

 

[martin collins 1]

Hobbycraft board already purchased, will order up some Flitetest board as well. I also have a stash of depron, which thickness Fliteboard do you use Richard, there seems to be two different ones. Will start cutting formers this evening. 

[RICHARD WILLS]

Exciting stuff Martin . 

I use approx 5mm of both types . Once you remove both sides on either type the remaining foam is a bit over 3mm .

The Hobby craft stuff doesnt bend as easily but I prefer it , so use it where I can . Its more readily available too .

Like you , I am a big fan of 109s . They look so cool and always seem to fly nicely . 

[martin collins 1]

Anyone know of a current stockiest of the 5mm Flite Test board? They all seem to be out of stock!

[martin collins 1]

Gentle start on the 109 FoamFighter this evening one plan sheet of six has had all the shapes cut out and the first of those transferred onto the Hobbycraft 5mm foam board for cutting out, some advice i received recommended Gorilla white expanding glue for these large parts that are doubled up, it is lighter than the hot glue. Not the most available of glues, most places in the UK only stock the similar brown stuff, got some white ordered and on it`s way though, plenty of drawing round shapes and cutting out to keep me busy till that arrives. 

[RICHARD WILLS]

Martin , you can remove the card from the Hobby Craft foam board by ironing the back and peeling at the same time . Dont force it too much and it will come off clean . try it on a small piece first . The same foam board can be curved with a little patience . I dont think much of the 109 is sharply curved so you may get away with that board throughout . 

A lot of this foam board modelling is about learning the techniques of what you can do with it . I've just brown papered the cigar shaped Mosquito fuselage and I have to say , I'm very impressed . It is lighter and still resilient and yet way less time than consuming than  the Heinkel which was wood skinned . The shape and finish is as easily as good. 

[martin collins 1]

Just had a wander round B&Q and came across this, at £25 for 19 sheets i thought it was worth a try, may be a useful cheap material for forming the curved surfaces, at 5mm it is the same thickness as the Hobbycraft board and once covered with brown paper it should be quite strong. I will give it a go and see how it works out, anyone else using this in their planes? 

[RICHARD WILLS]

Martin , have a look at Julius Perdana rc models . His T2 Buckeye is a very interesting build . Note the way he works the depron .

The different types vary a bit , but I reckon the one youve bought might bend nicely with a little persuasion . 

[martin collins 1]

The pile of Messerschmitt parts continues to grow, i should have the rest of the parts cut out tomorrow.

[martin collins 1]

Just used a bit of the Vitrex foam underlay which i got from B&Q, it is depron sheet, bends to shapes very easily and tight radiuses can be formed. At £1.30 a sheet it makes airframes VERY cheap 😃 I think i will be building a lot more stuff using this.

[martin collins 1]

Main fuselage frame is now made, quite strong but a bit heavier than i had imagined, i chose to leave the paper on the main foam structure to help with the strength of the spine but having removed it on some of the formers i now realise how much weight the paper adds, it is surprising! I am learning as i go on this build so although not as tidy as i would have liked i know how to improve the next model by using what i am learning on this one. I am using Clear expanding Gorilla glue which i was told is quite a bit lighter than hot glue but the spin off is it can be messy as it expands, don`t put too much on! I am only using this on the main structure, the main skins will go on with UHU POR. I will be trying the B&Q depron for the skins to keep the weight down, that will be the next step.

[perttime]

Is that frame/spine now stronger and heavier than it needs to be? Enough to consider cutting some lightening holes?

[Eric Robson]

Martin , look at Richards foam Mosquito build, a lot of foam has been removed from the crutch. Note the rear two sections are solid in the area where the tail plane and fin mount. 

[martin collins 1]

The moths have been at it! Happier with the weight now............

[RICHARD WILLS]

Martin , are you subliminally showing us your entire stash of unstarted kits ? 

If so can we play top trumps ?

I see your , Aerotech Valiant and raise you an Aerotech  P38 .   (Same suit ) 

 

Edited August 17, 2022 by RICHARD WILLS

[martin collins 1]

😅, Richard i see your Aerotech P38 and Raise you an Aerotech B25 😃(same suit) 😛

[RICHARD WILLS]

Fair enough . Anyone got a B17 or Lanc from the same suit ?

[martin collins 1]

I`ll add my Aerotech ME109 to the table 😉

[martin collins 1]

Getting back to the thread, the engine mounting plate and strengthening wood has been added plus the first skin has been fitted using UHU POR, enjoying the process so far.