AML 1/72 Messerschmitt Bf 109K-4 By Chris Banyai-Riepl

Overview

Much has been written on the Bf 109K-4, but the best books available are the two put out by Japo. Between these two books, the modeler will know everything there is to know about this final German variant of the Bf 109.

The Kit

While there have been several new 1/72 kits of various Bf 109 marks, this is the only new release of the Bf 109K-4. Before this, one would have to modify the Revell Bf 109G-10 or work with the old Heller Bf 109K kit. This model makes building a late-war Bf 109K much easier, and comes with both resin and photoetch details and a nice decal sheet. The plastic is molded in a green plastic, and while there is some flash, there should be nothing out of the ordinary for the skilled modeler.

Starting with the interior, this is made up from resin and photoetch. There is a main one-piece resin tub, which has the seat and other details molded in place. Onto this fits several photoetch details, such as rudder pedals, seat belts, and trim wheels. The sidewalls are also resin, and are separate inserts. Other resin fuselage details include the instrument panel, oil cooler, and exhaust stubs.

Moving to the rest of the airframe, the wings are in three pieces, with the one-piece lower wing capturing the correct dihedral. The underwing radiators are made up from photoetch and plastic. Other final assembly details include resin guns for the fuselage, resin aileron mass balances, photoetch armor plating behind the pilot, and photoetch radio masts. All of these will really help the final model look quite realistic.

The decals provide markings for three interesting Bf 109K-4s, all of which are depicted in the Japo books. The first option is Hptm. Adolf Borchers' plane, double chevron, from Stab III./JG 52, Deutsch Brod, in May of 1945. This plane has an overpainted number on the fuselage, the III Gruppe wavy bar on the rear fuselage, and a partial Werk Nummer on the rudder. The second option is from Stab III./JG 27, Wunstorf, in April 1945. This is a very well photographed aircraft, and it features the green Defense of the Reich band along with its single black chevron. The final option is the fascinating 'White 5,' possibly of NJG 11. This plane features a very non-standard camouflage, consisting mainly of RLM 76. The decals are very well printed and include broken swastikas and complete stenciling.

Conclusion

This is a nice kit from AML and it is good to see a new model of the Bf 109K-4 in 1/72 scale. The resin and photoetch details might make this a bit more challenging for the novice modeler, but with a little effort a nice replica can be had from this kit.