Airfix 1/48 Bf109E-1/E-3/E-4
By Jacob Russell
The Plane
The Bf109E ("Emil") was the first major production variant of the famous Messerschmitt fighter. The Bf109E-1 was powered by the Daimler-Benz DB 601A-1, with armament composed of 2 pairs of cowl and wing mounted MG 17 machine guns. The E-3 had more powerful armament: the wing machine guns were replaced by 20mm MG FF cannons (which necessitated underwing bulges due to their increased size).
An additional MG FF cannon was installed in the engine but it was prone to jamming and was largely unsuccessful. Armor was also added to the canopy. The E-4 was the next model and it was distinguished by a redesigned canopy with heavier framing. The engine mounted cannon was deleted and MG FF/M cannons replaced the earlier wing-mounted MG FF cannons. All 3 variants flew in the Battle of Britain and also served in the Jagdbomber (fighter-bomber) role.
The Model
Airfix's new Emil kit comes in a colorful stout box with computer generated artwork of Adolf Galland's Bf109E-4 engaged in combat with a Spitfire. It is comprised of 107 parts, 9 of which are clear, on 3 sprues. This is a very impressive kit, and it includes all of the pieces needed to build an E-1, E-3 or E-4. The panel lines are recessed and of uniform width and depth. The overall detail is good, albeit somewhat soft. The kit has separate exhaust stacks, slats, ailerons, rudder, flaps and horizontal stabilizers. The mainwheels and tailwheel are weighted and the wheels are separate from the tires for easier painting.
There are also inserts for the wing leading edges to cater to the different gun variants. The cowling is a separate piece and it covers a basic rendition of the DB 601 which includes engine bearers to be added after detail painting. The cockpit is pretty good, especially the instrument panel and rudder pedals. There are some ejector pins marks inside the fuselage sides, right in the center of the sidewall detail that will be difficult to remove. The wheel wells have the same problem.
The seat comes with molded on belts but these are unconvincing and I would opt for a True Details resin seat or use the pilot figure included because he is pretty good looking! The separate rudder, ailerons, flaps, slats and horizontal stabilizer are moveable which is a nice touch. A drop tank and rack, and tropical filter are included but these are only applicable to the later E-7 model. The propeller is a little odd looking, but 3 different spinners are included which almost makes up for the propeller. 2 different bomb racks, the ETC 50 and ETC 250, are great extras and you also get SC 50, SC 250 and SC 500 bombs. The clear parts include a gunsight and 4 windscreens. One of these has a cut out for Adolf Galland's telescopic gunsight. Both early and late canopies are included, but the late version is incorrect. It is copied from a Bf109E in England that was missing its canopy and had a G model canopy installed; the canopy framing is too thick for an "E" canopy. The decal sheet includes a complete set of stencils, and it includes markings for 3 planes:
Bf109E-1B, II (Schlacht)/Lehrgeschwader 2, Calais-Marck, France, September 1940.
Bf109E-3, 4./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders", France, July 1940.
Bf109E-4/N, Major Adolf Galland, Geschwader Kommodore of Stab JG26, Audumbert, France, late 1940.
Accuracy
I checked the wings and fuselage against 1/48th scale plans in the AJ Press monograph, Me109 Part 5, and the wings and fuselage matched almost perfectly. The propeller blades are too narrow. But the kit certainly looks the part.
Conclusion
This is a great kit, and it confirms that Airfix is still on a roll. It does enter a crowded field, what with the Hobbycraft/Academy, Hasegawa and new Eduard 109 kits on the market. But the Airfix Bf109E is quite accurate and well detailed. It also has more bits for the spares box than either the Hasegawa or Tamiya kits, and it's cheaper. It will look great with a little aftermarket help (seat, canopy, propeller), and of course there are numerous aftermarket decal sheets if you don't like the kit options. I recommend this kit and I have bought two of them. Have fun with it!
References
Messerschmitt Me 109 Part 5, by Robert Michulec, AJ Press, 1998.
Messerschmitt Bf109 in action, Part 1, by John R. Beaman, Jr. & Jerry Campbell, Squadron/Signal Publications, 1980.
Messerschmitt "O-Nine" Gallery, by Thomas H. Hitchcock, Monogram Aviation Publications, 1973.
