Airfix Messerschmitt Bf110C-2/C-4 - Part III

With most of construction phase completed, it was now time to have some fun with the airbrush. Notice the word "fun" - I am finally getting confident with airbrushing and even dared to do some freehand experimenting while doing the camouflage of upper surfaces. I figured it was as good opportunity as any to practice freehand painting and diffused edges. For a moment I even thought about trying to doing all of the camouflage without any masking, but I'm still not there yet. I am however happy to say that the airbrush is slowly becoming just another tool for me.

With painting of the airframe finished, the time came to perhaps the most difficult part of this model - assembly of the undercarriage. As I suspected after having a first glance at the instructions sheet, I wasn't able to get through this stage without some issues. The most serious of those occurred when I managed to dislodge entire undercarriage gondola while dryfitting one of the wheels. It was a potential deal-breaker, since the loose component was completely enclosed inside the gondola, making it impossible for me to re-glue it without ripping apart one of the wings. I finally resolved the issue by pulling the wheel housing into position with a bit of a blue-tack fastened on a stick. Once it was in place I was able to secure it in place with super-glue. A close call, to say the least.

Rest of the assembly was done relatively easily, although I have to say that the sequence suggested by instruction booklet (which I followed) is simply bonkers. According to the construction sequence suggested by Airfix, one is to put the wheel housing into place and then struggle with confined space and difficult access while putting together the undercarriage. It would be much easier to do the wheel assembly first and then put the entire sub-assembly into its enclosure. Note to self - never again accept the building sequence without investigating if there isn't a smarter way.

Getting experience with freehand airbrushing

Upper surfaces  painted -
the classic splinter pattern of Luftwaffe 

Belly side, painted in standard RLM65 Hellblau.
This time around I actually managed to preserve some of the preshading. :-)

The assembly of wheel carriage can just as well be done
before the wheel housing is enclosed into cramped wheel gondola