1:48 Bf 109E-1

The Emil the war began with

The E-1 sub-version stood at the start of the most widespread Bf 109 family. The Daimler-Benz DB 601 engine with direct fuel injection gave it an advantage over carburetor rivals, because it did not cut out under negative g. The armament consisted of four 7.92 mm machine guns, two above the engine and two in the wing. The cockpit had an angular frame of several flat panes and the dorsal cover hinged to the side rather than sliding to the rear.

September 1939 and the months after it

Emils with this designation took part in the Polish campaign, where it became clear that the margin in speed over the opponents of the day was crushing. A few examples still managed to reach Spain to join the unit of German volunteers in the very last stage of the war there. A large proportion of the airframes later returned to the workshops, where cannon replaced their wing machine guns, and out of the E-1 there thus arose the later form that was flown over England.

What the set is good for

The flat areas of an angular cockpit tempt you to mask with tape, except that it is exactly on them that every deviation from parallel shows. Pre-cut pieces remove that problem, and the second set for the inside makes it possible to open the hinged cover convincingly.

Two insignia stencils replace a decal where its glossy edge would be distracting. Neither paints nor the model are in the box. Early Bf 109s are most often finished in a gray-green combination with mottled fuselage sides, and the crisper the edges of the glazing, the better camouflage as busy as that looks. Press the film down with a toothpick so that it adheres even in the corners of the frame, where paint likes to bleed.