Friday, June 30, 2017

Model of the week: Ian Hill's 1/32 Messerschmitt Bf110

I saw these in progress shots on Facebook last night, and had to share. This is the cockpit of a Dragon 1/32 Messerschmitt Bf110 C-7 built and painted by an Australian modeller named Ian Hill.  Ian is also a military artist, and runs the website 3D Battle Art (www.threedbattleart.com) which I recommend you visit if you want to see meticulously researched WW2 art - but more on that later...







As you can see, there is a lot of detail in this cockpit. But what really caught my eye was the dirt on the floor and up the side of the cockpit wall in the above photo. I have to say, this is the most realistic dirt colour I have ever seen in a cockpit. It's strikes a great balance between dusty, and showing previously damp mud which has dried out (those little moisture tide marks up the wall - I love them!).  That dirtiness is great - I can see crew members climbing in from muddy airfields and many, many hours of flight time right there.

Just perfect.


The tonal variation in the whole cockpit is just bang on. Interesting modulation, not too heavy, not too light. I've painted a grey 1/32 Stuka cockpit before, and my grey was nowhere near as good as this.



It seems a real pity to close this up inside the fuselage, where so much of it will be hard to see.

That paint wear and chipping is again balanced just right.

This is the kit Ian is building.





I tip my hat to you, Mr Hill.

It wasn't until I looked at Ian's website www.threedbattleart.com that I discovered he also built one of my Favourite Dioramas Of All Time. This sounds like hyperbole, I know, but in this case it is completely true.

Check this out:

The dragon and the wolf - scale model diorama by Ian Hill

That is named "The Dragon and the Wolf" and it won Best in Show at the 2001 Australian Model Expo.

I've seen photos of this floating around the interwebs for years, I believe I've even pinned it to a Pinterest inspiration board in my time.  I had no idea it was built by an Australian in the same city as me.

Good lord, Ian, it is a masterpiece. You can see more photos here - it's incredible.

So what do I have to say in summation? It's inspiring to see pics of a master modeller's build in progress, and I'm excited to see where this Bf110 ends up. Plus it'll be cool to be one of the select few who know exactly what is inside it once it's  all closed up!

Thanks for sharing Ian.


Until next time,

Cheers,

Dave

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