Review by: Geoff Coughlin
Our thanks to Airfix for supplying our review sample www.airfix.com 
Check out SMN’s full review of the Bf-109E in Finished Now – Ed
Want to know more about the Bf-109?
Second release of the excellent Airfix 2010 tooling – The Bf-109E Trop
I have written a detailed review of this kit, which was published in SMN’s Here Now area a little while back. The fact is that this new release – this time in E-1, E-3 and E-7 Trop configuration, builds nicely on the first release. In addition to the previous model, there is also now new decals and markings appropriate to the E-3 and E-7.
The sprues are the same as for the earlier release (that contained all the parts to complete a Bf-109E Trop just no decals for the variant). So it seems pointless saying anything new here. So I have included my original review, which has been suitably doctored to include the new decals on this occasion. Basically, the bottom line is that you need to go and buy this kit if you haven’t – it is one of the best this manufacturer has ever produced!
Ok, so what’s in the box?
A box remarkably full of grey sprue, appearing rather more in total than I remember putting together for my Tamiya and Hasegawa Bf-109s some years ago; so it’s looking promising! Two large grey sprues house all the main parts with the usual separate clear sprue tree containing clear parts.
The plastic has a better feel to it than in some past releases. It’s less powdery, quite smooth and on the softer side of hard. Having built the Harrier GR-7 (see your Finished Now area), this plastic is very similar and is easy to trim, sand and work with. Panel line detail is recessed and in 1:48 scale looks pretty good to me, better in this scale looking more realistic than the slightly heavy engraved detail on some 1:72 kits. Getting better all the time!
Click on Image to Enlarge.
Daimler Benz DB Engine
One thing you immediately notice that Airfix has moulded the Daimler Benz engine at all, in this instance being an integral part of the forward fuselage. The basics are there in terms of detail and the engine cowl is moulded separately so that you can add and remove the cover at will – a nice touch. Three different types of spinner are included and that’s excellent, enabling you to complete several more options from your decal store.
The tropical filter is also included that when used with an appropriate spinner will enable you to build an E-7 and this is of course appropriate to the markings presented this time.
Cockpit
Moving aft the cockpit tub at first glance looks sparse, but in fact much of the detail you’d expect to find like control column, trim wheels etc is in fact included but is located around the sprue trees. So I suspect that the cockpit will make-up into a perfectly reasonable representation of the real thing. The light tones of the RLM 02 grey-green interior colour should show up the raised detail well. I’m not sure about the shape of the seat though, and this may look a little better with some light sanding. It’s the way the side looks pinched in at the top that’s slightly dubious, so I would check your references on this one. This is a pretty straightforward fix though with sanding.
The moulded in-seat harness is a bit unconvincing but will be easily improved by scraping off the raised detail and adding your own – either an etched set of belts or scratch your own from metal foil (old wine bottle tops work really well) and are a cheaper alternative.
If you like your pilot figures, then you’ll find Maj, Adolf Galland or one of the other ‘experten’ on the sprue and he’s nicely moulded, with detail a little soft.
Something to watch inside the cockpit fuselage halves are some prominent ejector pin marks and these need to be removed by sanding down with sanding sticks or wet and dry abrasive paper (dark grey sanding paper found in painting and decorating or car repair product isles of stores).
Undercarriage
Good options included here with separate units designed for raised or lowered gear and also a nice pair of slightly bulged main wheel tyres that also feature the often seen groove detail. The main gear legs will benefit from adding a brake line down each one – a prominent feature of the Bf-109.
Control Surfaces
The fabric control surfaces fitted to early Bf-109s has been captured well by Airfix. With a little rough-sanding to help create the fabric effect, they should look good under paint.
Clear Parts
Nice looking these – both armoured and non-armoured windscreens are included as are the two types of canopy ‘square’ and ‘round’ edged. The latter more usually seen on the E-1-3 and the square on the E-4 and later E-7, but as with many aircraft in WWII Luftwaffe service there were exceptions. So depending on the version you choose to finish your 109 in, check the paint guide for an accurate steer.
Instructions, Decals and Painting guide
The instructions are logical and well laid out. Each option is clearly identified and you are reminded as you go what parts are appropriate depending on your choice of E-1, E-3 or E-7 Trop.
Two very different aircraft are featured with this release:
- Luftwaffe aircraft flown by Fw Franz Elles, 8./Jagdgeschwader 27, Western Desert, April 1941 (an aircraft often seen in colour images of the period that demonstrate the excellent mottle camouflage pattern against the desert floor)
- Romanian aircraft flown by Adjutant aviator de reserva Tiberiu Vinc, Grupul 7 Vanatoare, Stalingrad 1942/3
- Spanish Civil War 3.Jagdgruppe 88, Condor Legion 1939
The decal sheet is well printed with all markings/colours in register. Now there’s good and bad news to report on quality. Having built and tried to use the kit decal sheet in their first release the decals are simply unusable as supplied and so they are again here too. They are far too thick, heave carrier film and don’t settle down at all with setting solutions like Micro Set and Sol.
So, what’s the good news? Well, my understanding is that Airfix are doing their best to be able to continue their new trend of including Cartograf decals with their new releases. Hopefully this will extend as soon as possible to any products currently in their range.
Summary
This is a good addition to what’s already available. The recessed detail, control surfaces and bulged tyres are all positive, as is the choice of decals. I can live with small issues like the seat shape that is easily rectified, so, all in all a nice new kit beautifully presented. The decals as supplied are unusable quality and will need to be replaced and that’s seriously disappointing.
With 2010 being the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain – adding a decent 1:48th scale Bf-109E to their range Airfix I suspect has chosen well. This should bring them good sales as will their Spitfire Mk.Va. Most of the manufacturers probably feel that they should be offering one of each type of these iconic types, so I say well done – we have more choice. Others, amongst them the good old doom-and-gloom brigade will doubtless want something new and that’s a valid point, but just look at what we have here. A choice of probably three Bf-109Es arguably now of similar quality but most definitely not similar price in the UK at least. You choose!
Highly Recommended.
Geoff C.
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