Build Thread attempt for Answer's Me109W

[modelperry]

After the success of my Mig-3, I am attempting another aircraft. This time I am working on Answer's Me109W Floatplane. I will be attempting to build the full engine and cockpit version of this model.

[modelperry]

To get in the swing of things, I decided to start with the framing of the floats. Everything fits nice and tight, so I just tacked them together with CA glue.

[lriera]

Original model. The floats looks very well.

Greetings.

[dansls1]

Good start - I look forward to seeing this one come together (never too many BF109 build threads ).
Does anybody know if this is the same kit as available as a digital purchase from gremirmodels.com? I have a feeling it is, but not positive.

[modelperry]

Dan,

I believe you are correct as the Gremir and Answer models share the same Author: Rafal Ciesielski.

Greg

[cgutzmer]

Cool! Never seen this plane on floats before
Chris

[kenlwest]

This will be good! I never built Answer models before. It will be interesting to hear about the fit etc...

The nice tight fit of the formers is a good sign.

Ken

[modelperry]

I went ahead and built up the wing, tail and some of the cockpit framework. What's nice is that the front fuselage frame work can be used for a forming buck for the front panels since I'm installing the engine in their place. Fit of parts is still very good! I was a little bit worried about the fit of the wing frame parts, but didn't need to be.

Greg,

[modelperry]

I've been working on the cockpit this weekend and only have the instrument panel and gunsights left to do. The way parts are numbered, one cannot build this in numerical order. It takes planning to build this right. The Polish instructions may give you more of a hint, but I'm not about to try translating all of it. Anyway, here are some in-progress shots (sorry they are out of focus, me and the camera were not getting along). The brass piece is a substitute for a rolled piece that was printed on thick paper and just wouldn't roll right. I may have to do this for some other similar pieces.

Greg

[modelperry]

Here are more pics of the completed cockpit. Some of the small pieces were a little fiddly to work with and I, personally, could have done with some more drawings as a guide, but overall no real issues.

I have also posted a picture of the engine, which I am working on next. I think this part is going to take a while: TONS of little itty bitty parts for my fat fingers to fumble.

Greg

[modelperry]

I am about half way through the build of the engine. Going is slow due to the number of itty bitty parts and other commitments. Fit is good. Hope the rest fits as well.

Greg

[dansls1]

Engine looks great! I'm enjoying seeing this one come together.

[Billy Leliveld]

Nice build, I neverseen the Me 109 on floats, is it a prototype?
Cheers,Billy

[dansls1]

From http://www.gremirmodels.com/me-109_w.htm:

Here is another example of a successful fighter plane being converted into a floatplane. Not surprisingly, since other (Zero and Spitfire) conversions proved to be a failure, Me-109 W shared the same fate.
There is almost no information available about this plane, no pictures and we don't even know if it was built. Plans however exist, and so now does the card model of this unusual Me-109 variant.
According to AJ Press Monografie: Messerschmitt Me-109 Part 3, Me-109W was based on the Me-109 F with floats taken from Arado Ar-196, a ship based recon plane.

[Billy Leliveld]

Thanks, I'll have to add this one to my " to do" list