Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/48 Bf-109B/D Early Messerschmitts Part 3 decal sheet

Product # CED48266 for $8.99

Product Article by Steve Bamford on July 21 2004

 

 

 

This latest decal sheet from Cutting Edge Modelworks features four Bf-109B/D's.  The recommended kit is the Hobbycraft Bf-109 B/C/D or the Academy Bf-109 B/C/D .

The first aircraft is a Bf-109D-1 with 2./JGr 176, out of Gablingen in August 1939.  It is assumed that this aircraft flew in this scheme during the Polish campaign.  The paint scheme is RLM 70/71 (green/green) on top and RLM 65 (blue) on the underside.  The prop spinner is RLM 04 (yellow).  Markings include a very large sharks mouth on the lower side of the engine cowl and include the engine opening under the engine cowling.  This plane is yellow ‘5’ and there is a large yellow 5 on the side of the fuselage in front of the German cross.  On the tail is a swastika.  You will be required to cut the sharks mouth decal to get it to fit and the decal and instructions show you where to cut it.  The sharks mouth is contained in 2 separate decals, a left side and a right side.  

The second aircraft is a Bf-109B-1 with 2.J/88, out of Herrera de Pisuerga in October 1937.  The paint scheme is the standard Spanish Civil war scheme with the top painted in grey and RLM 63/65 (blue) on the underside.  The prop spinner is grey.  Markings on the side of the rear fuselage include a Black Top Hat with a red sash (yellow sash decal is included for top hat due to lack of definite colour knowledge…reference photos were in black and white), solid black circle for national markings and the large numbers “6-3” in black.  The tail is white with a black diagonal cross and the wing tips are white on the top and bottom.  The top side of the wings include national insignias of solid black circles with white diagonal crosses.  On both sides of the engine cowling around the exhaust ports is flat black paint, which is painted along certain panel lines (check the instructions for an image showing which panel to paint flat black).

The third aircraft is a Bf-109D-1 with 2./JG 71, out of Furstenfeldbruck in August 1939.  It is assumed that this aircraft flew in this scheme during the Polish campaign.  The paint scheme is RLM 70/71 (green/green) on top and RLM 65 (blue) on the underside.  The prop spinner is RLM 70 (green).  Markings include artwork of a badge with a weeping raven carrying an umbrella, which is a reference to British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain who often carried an umbrella.  It is not known which way the Raven was pointing on the right side of the aircraft so 2 decals of the raven looking left and right are included.  This badge was later adopted by II./JG 51.  This plane is red “11” and there is a large red 11 with white outline on the side of the fuselage in front of the German cross.  On the tail is a swastika.  

The fourth aircraft is a Bf-109D-1 with 3./JG 21, out of Gutenfeld, East Prussia in September 1939.  The paint scheme is RLM 70/71 (green/green) on top and RLM 65 (blue) on the underside.  The prop spinner is RLM 04 (yellow) with a black stripe decals.  Markings include artwork of a red shield with a black cross and 3 small white aircraft.  This shield is provided a a 3 layer decal to ensure perfect registration.  This plane is yellow “1” and there is a large yellow 1 with black outline on the side of the fuselage in front of the German cross.  On the tail is a swastika.  

Documentation was unavailable regarding stencils used on the early Bf-109’s, so a set of Bf-109E stencils are included with this decal sheet.

Mike Lampros was a big help researching this sheet and he deserves a big thank-you for his efforts. 

The decals are flawless and clearly printed with perfect registration.  Colours are solid and should cover well.

I highly recommend this sheet to anyone interested in Starfighters with wild paint schemes or anyone interested in Tiger schemes.

Click on images below to see larger images of the instruction sheets

I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford