1/72 Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4

The Messerchmitt Bf 109 is simply one of the synonyms for a proper fighter plane. A plane, which remained in service from 1936 until as long as 1954 with military of many a country.

It fought in the front line of the Spanish Civil War, saw the end of the war over Europe. The E version, or Emil as it is colloquially know, was the first of 109s to be powered by a DB 601 engine. It is unmistakably connected with the outbreak of the war, the attack on Poland, the Blitz over Western Europe, with operations over Scandinavia. The pinnacle of the career of the Emils was arguably the Battle of Britain, only to be followed in the significance by the type´s deployment over the Balkans, Africa and Malta. Until 1941, the 109Es had been the very best of fighter planes in service, along with the British Spitfire.

This month´s hot topic is the cannon-armed version, the Bf 109E-4, model cat.no. SH72439. The kit bring schemes of two German fighter aces, G.Schopfel and H.Wick who, flying from bases in Western Europe, took part in the Battle of Britain. The kit also contains two more options, these being Emils as operated over the Balkans a year later. Decals of Wick´s machine contain also the fuselage camouflage mottles consisting of a myriad of tiny brush-made blotches. The kit parts are laid out into two grey styrene sprues and one with clear parts. The kit offer the option to build the Emil either with the engine and fuselage machine guns cover panels open or closed. The wing flaps and slats can be posed in the down position, ailerons offer the option as well.

• highly accurate and extremely detailed model
• easy build
• option to display the engine in the open nose section
• flaps and slats can be posed open too
• accurate decals for four schemes, including full set of stencils
• separately available are clear part and wheel painting masks
• more detail sets being prepared