1/32 Messerschmitt Bf109 E-1 Weekend
Kit available from HobbyLink
Japan
Product #3401 (http://www.hlj.com/product/EDU3401)
The first major redesign of the
early 109 series came with the E series, thisincluded the navalised variant of
the Bf 109E, the Bf 109T (T standing for /Träger/, or carrier). The Bf 109E, or
"Emil", introduced a number of structural changes in order to
accommodate the heavier but significantly more powerful Daimler-Benz DB601
engine, the heavier armament and increased fuel capacity. Later variants of the
Es introduced a fuselage bomb rack or provision for a long-range drop-tank, and
used the DB 601N engine of(for) higher power output. The 109E first saw service
with the Condor Legion during the last phase of the Spanish Civil War and was
the mainstay variant at the start of World War 2 through until mid-1941 when the
109F replaced it in the pure fighter role in Luftwaffe service.
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The Kit -
It’s seems a while ago that Eduard released the Profipack version
of Bf109 E-1, but it was only in February 2009 and then they followed it
up with the E-4 and Bf109 E-3 in late 2009. Back when the E-1 was released
it seemed like a lot " the modelling community was saying " do
we need another 1/32 Bf 109?" The E series hadn’t been represented
well for many years. The only releases were from Hasegawa with raised
panel lines and a questionable shape profile. The other option is from
Matchbox, with its poorly shaped front and wide panel lines and thick
detailed parts.Both kits are dating back to the 1970’s.
Eduard’s Weekend Editions offers a “No Frills” option of their
ProfiPack kits. The weekend editions are normally around the half the
price of the ProfiPack, but does not offer any of the Photo Etch parts or
resin items (if there is any included), canopy masks and only one decal
option. The sprue’s are packed in the sturdy boxes that Eduard uses,
which also includes the side profiles and painting guide. The Bf109 E-1
Weekend kit has 147 olivey-green and 5 clear plastic parts that is
supplied on 7 sprue’s. Although 12 parts are not used.
The kit itself is molded very nicely up to Eduard standards. There
are nice and crisp panel lines and rivet details on the exterior surfaces.
There is still a small amount of flash on some parts, but there are no
injector pin marks on any of the detailed surfaces. The control surfaces
features a fabric sag look to them, to some it may look overdone, but it
would be easy to fill them with some Mr Surfacer to get them to your
liking.
As previous releases, the option of a fully detailed DB601 engine is
included with the kit. This can be fitted showing or left out with the
cowling on. If the second option is taken there are extra parts included
in the kit to mount machine guns into the cowl, stubs and propeller.
Detail of the exhaust stubs are excellent with raised welding seems. The
cowl is supplied in four separate parts also to show off all the engine
bay or some of it.
All the control surfaces parts are molded separately. Flaps have
been molded with tabs to position them in a dropped position. These could
be removed easily to gain raised position on them.
Cockpit detail is excellent out of the box, but is missing that
Photo Etch Seat Harness from the Profipack. This can be easily fixed with
an Harness set from Eduard or another aftermarket manufacture. Looking at
some references the oxygen bottles seems to be sitting to high due
to being too long.
Instructions are printed in black
and white on a 8 A4 sized pages. The colour callouts are in RLM colour
references and Mr Hobby acrylic and lacquer codes. Also for the first time as
far as I know, Eduard have included the side, top and lower profile in the
Weekend instructions. As the rest of Weekend releases from Eduard the kit comes
with one marking option ofHannes Trautloft's plane in September 1939 when he was
with 2./JG 77. It is in the standard RLM 70/71/65 splinter camo. The decal sheet
itself is well printed with full data markings.
Overall, the kit is well worth the money even thou its not a ProfiPack option
with all the extra goodies. Its beautifully produced and would be a superb kit
for modellers with any level of experience under their belt.
I would like to thank Hobby
Link Japan for supplying this review sample.
Dave Johnson
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