Airfix

1/48 Bf-109E model kit

Product # unknown

Product  Article by Hal Marshman Sr on Oct 3 2011

 

This kit is a welcome addition to the Airfix 1/48th line. The following are my impressions of the good and bad points of this kit.

* Surface is of the scribed variety, and quite well done, revealing all the airplane's seams and rivet work where apropos. As far as I can tell, all the various access hatches are represented, as well as the step ins and fuel filler points. If you are one who likes to accentuate panel lines, etc, Airfix has made it easy for you. On the other side of the coin, there are mold release marks on the lower side of the flaps, inner wall of both cockpit sides, and in the middle of the wheel wells. You may also find some very mior dimples on outer surfaces. It must be added that these marks are quite easily dealt with during construction.

* Cockpit: A pretty decent representation of the 109-E style cockpit is given with separate oxygen generators, rudder pedals, control stick, instrument panel, and throttle quadrant. These separate parts are well represented, as are the floor and sidewalls. The seat is separate, and has cast in seat belts. In my build up, I retained it, but I'm not happy with the cast on seat belts. The baggage compartment cover on the slanted rear bulkhead is presented as an engraved item, rather than standing proud as I'd have preferred it. None the less, it includes the bottom hinges and the actuation strap. All in all, Airfix has provided a pretty decent "office" for their Emil.

*Clear Parts: The clear suite is most complete, containing the 2 of the canopy rears, one round top, and one square top, 2 opening portions, one round top, and the other square. There are 3 windscreens, a round top, a square top, and a square top slotted to accept Galland's ranging telescope. The clear parts are moderately thin, and very clear, but I consider the frame work cast on to the exterior of them too heavy. In addition, the opening portion for the square topped later Es is more representative of the G style canopy, with a heavy frame running vertically through the middle. E style canopies only had a 2 section piece of glass wherein the front portion could be slid back under the rear portion. No metal framework separated them.

*Prop and spinner: These are nicely cast, although some on the web suggest the shape of the prop blades may be off. I used a resin substitute because I'd cemented the forward spinner to the rear part a little askewed.

*The landing gear is nicely done, with separate wheel cover inserts, although I consider them about 1/16th too long, compared with the Hasegawa and Tamiya items. I've retained the kit gear for the purposes of this article, but before I would enter it into competition, I believe I'd replace them with Hasegawa gear, as I do have spares. Airfix does give you a set of gear leg covers with dummy wheels attached, so that if you'd like to do the airplane flying, It's easy to deal with the wheels up mode. Great idea, Airfix.

*Additional parts: This kit will allow the modeler to build any -E, from the -1 through the -7, to include the trop versons. (Yes, there's a trop filter included). There are inserts that fit into the leading edge of the wing, one for the 7.9 mg of the E-1, and one for the 20 mm cannon armament of the later birds. There's also the blister for the bottom of the cannon armed wing. There are several racks for under fuselage ordnance, to include a drop tank and rack, 2 different sizes of large bombs with the appropriate rack, and a rack for 4 100k bombs, of course including the bombs. In addition to the spinner mentioned above, their are 2 different pointed ones. All the control surfaces are separate so that they may be shown activated or not as you choose. This is to include separate leading edge slats. Airfix appears to have planned for any eventuality, and provided the necessary parts. 

*Decals: The kit decal sheet provides markings for 4 different -E birds, including the well known Jg-26 Emil flown by Adolph Galland. There are national markings for just one plane, and no, there are no swastikas. I must confess that I've had some really bum luck with Airfix decals lately, so I've used after market decals from Aero master depicting the 109E-1 flown by Gunther von Maltzahn of Jg-53, Battle of Britain. Getting back to the kit, there's a full color sheet showing all 4 109s catered for in the kit. Profiles are provided for both the left and right sides, as well as full upper and lower surfaces. That to me, is a real bonus.

*Assembly: The kit offered me just a few little problems, the worst being at the lower nose, where the separate oil cooler intake housing meets the forward fuselage. Good trimming and fitting when installing this item can prevent some arduous sanding in a complicated area. Other than disposing of the injector pin marks, the balance of the kit went together quite well, including the wing to fuselage joint.

In conclusion, with the exception of a few hiccups such as the canopy, Airfix has provided us with a very nice little kit with spare parts a-plenty. The really good news is they've provided us this kit at a price of around $25,00 U S, and naturally it can be found discounted all the way down to 15 or 16 bucks. Considering the cost of Hasegawa and Tamiya 109-E kits, none of which offers so many alternatives, I would say that Airfix has more than adequately filled a niche. 

Have fun, 

Hal Marshman Sr

      

Photos and text © by Hal Marshman Sr