Messerschmitt Bf 109E
Mushroom Model Magazine Special
Yellow Series No 6102
Robert Peczkowski
Wydawnictwo Diecezjalne Sandomierz, ©2001
ISBN 83-7300-042-9
80 Pages, Softbound
Reviewed by Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $17.00
This is the third book, in this series, that this reviewer has had the oportunity to review. Previous titles, that appeared in past issues of Internet Modeler, have been "Messerschmitt Bf 109 G", and "Werner VATI Molders". Like the previous books, this new one was first published in the Polish language. Mushroom Model Magazine has issued it now in English.
The aim of this book, as with the first one in the Yellow Series (Messerschmitt Bf109G) is to show the main differences between versions of the Messerschmitt Bf109E "Emil".
As with the Bf109G book, there is no room to describe the evolution of the "Emil" or the history of all "Emil" prototypes. Lovers of detailed technical descriptions and also all of you who like to read battle stories might be disappointed. But all of you, who would like to know how the Bf10E changed during production, and how to recognize different versions, should be delighted.
Mushroom Model Magazine says that it may have been better to have printed this book, BEFORE they did the one on the "G", but in spite of the same Bf109 name the "Emil" and the "Gustaf" are rather different aircraft. So the books can be read in any order.
The book is, again, in the same 9 1/2" x 6 1/2" page format with a soft cover, (very reminiscant of the Osprey series of aircraft books). It contains 79 pages.
You will find a wealth of information in this book. Included are 43 black and white photos, 2 charts that give specifications for various marks of the "Emil", 27 line drawings showing fuselage profiles and top views...plus a three view of an engine. There are also 24 photos and illustrations out of what must have been the tech manuals for the "Emil". Then we get 90 color photos of various parts of 2 different "Emil's" that reside in the RAF Hendon Museum (UK). Included in the color photos are 4 that are wartime photos. The icing on the cake is the 20 color profile paintings for 17 Luftwaffe aircraft, and one each for Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Yugoslavia.
The chapters in the book cover versions E-O through the E-9...plus tropical versions. There are chapters on wing, fuselage, cockpit, engine, tail, and undercarriage arrangements. These chapters include lots of walk-around type photography showing individual areas of the "Emil".
If you love to model Me-109's, and in particular the "Emil", this is a MUST HAVE book. Well worth the cover price and highly recommended.
I want to thank Roger Wallsgrove of Mushroom Model Magazine for generously supplying this review copy
The next title to come out has been announced as "Barbarosa Victims, Luftwaffe Kills in the East".
This book can be found at:
Midland Counties Publications (UK)
The Aviation Bookshop (UK)
Maison du Livre Aviation (France)
MMD (Squadron) (USA)
Aeroworks (Australia)
L'Aeroteca (Spain)
and, of course,
Mushroom Models Publications
36 Ver Road
Redbourn,
Herts, AL3 7PE,
UK
