Reviews : Airfix Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 (Box # is a01008a)

This is a fun one to build. I especially liked it since I don’t have an airbrush, and there was no clouding in the paint scheme. There was little to no flash, the fit was just about perfect, and there was minimal sanding and puttying. Airfix, however, attached the pieces to the sprues in odd places. For example, on the sides of the tiny fragile gun barrels, rather than at the base of the gun barrel where any damage from trimming would be invisible. The same went for many other teensy pieces, and I actually lost one of the mass balancers for the ailerons, and had to carefully craft a new one out of thickly stretched sprue. Luckily the piece is so small that it’s difficult to tell what a terrible job I did. Other than the rather strange placement of attachment points, this was a great model. It gives a lot of different options such as: canopy open or closed, ailerons up or down, landing gear up or down, etc. The detail is superb. There are tons of ridiculously tiny decals. The panel lines and rivet details are clean, and the cockpit is excellent. There’s even seatbelts molded into the seat if you don’t want the pilot in there. And if that’s not enough detail for you, Verlinden makes an awesome photo etch detail kit which can be found here. https://www.hobbylinc.pro/verlinden-bf109-update-set-plastic-model-aircraft-accessory-1:72-scale-0775.

The recent batch of Airfix kits all boast great detail and clever engineering, and this one is no exception. It's got a lot going on in the cockpit, a three-piece canopy, and a cowling that can be removed to show off the Daimler Benz engine. However, the new tool Airfix kits are all a little let down by soft plastic pieces that are attached to the sprues by very thick gates. Some of the smallest parts, like the control column, the aerial mast, and the pitot tube, are too easily broken when you try to remove them. The kit also only has one marking option (Airfix has released a Series 2 Messerschmitt with a couple different options). With some patience this can turn into a very good model.

When compared to the other kits of the most recent batch, this seems... simple... too simple... I mean, you have an engine inside, but you don't have the parts to leave it open and look real... you have good landing gear wells, but... also a nice cockpit, but... Don't get me wrong, it is a very nice model, no fitting problem, no putty necessary, no problem whatsoever... And you have the pics on the internet of the original airplane and you can check for details to make it look perfect. But after so much detailed Spitfire, hurricane, FW190, Zero, typhoon, this one seems... Childish It comes up a very nice Bf109, but... After you see the latest of Airfix work, you wanted a little more...

Very happy with this kit. This must be one of the new tool versions. No flash, very clear lines, flaps can be up or down, and even has the weighted tires (tires flat on the bottom showing they are supporting the weight of the plane). As usual there are also some very small and/or thin parts (like the control stick) so you must use caution removing them from the trees.

This Bf109 kit is pretty good. the molding is good with very little amount's of flash being present The flaps and rudder are positional. Mine required no filler and went together nicely over a few days time. The decals are superb and go nicely with the recessed panel lines.

Had a great time building it had no fit issues had grate panel lines love the movable ailerons landing gear was good over all nice kit I have bought three and had fun building each one