1:48 Bf-109F-2/F-4 cockpit set

The real subject

The Messerschmitt Bf 109F is a development series of the German single-engine fighter of the Second World War, known among modelers under the nickname Friedrich. Compared with the older E version it was given an aerodynamically cleaner fuselage and rounded wingtips. The F-2 and F-4 versions are two consecutive variants of this series, and their cockpits are close enough for one set to cover both.

What the set offers

The cockpit set replaces the inside of the cockpit from the kit by a rendering with finer detail. The cockpit is the part of a fighter that is most in view, because everyone who sees the model looks into it, and the difference between a coarse and an elaborate interior shows even under a closed canopy. The exact range of parts, and the kit the set is intended for, are given in the manufacturer's instructions enclosed with the set.

Building and painting tips

• Cut the surplus material off with a sharp blade a little away from the part and sand the remainder off carefully.
• Wash and degrease the parts before painting, otherwise the coat will not hold.
• Use super glue, which holds on resin as well as on plastic.
• Assemble the fuselage dry first; with cockpit sets the mating surfaces usually need to be trued up.
• Take the interior shade and the layout of the details from the manufacturer's instructions and from documentation on the real aircraft.
• Finish the interior and give it a matte coat before you close the fuselage and fit the canopy.

Who it is for

The set is meant for builders who want the cockpit of their Bf 109F-2 or F-4 model in 1:48 scale to be on a par with the rest of the build, and it suits a model with an open canopy too. Add-on sets are usually supplied without the aircraft kit, paints and glue; check the scope of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.