1:32 Bf 109 E & T armament set (MG 17 tips, MG FF barrels)

The real subject

The Messerschmitt Bf 109E, nicknamed Emil, is a fighter of the first half of the Second World War. Above the engine it carried a pair of 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns whose muzzles projected from troughs in the cowling, and in later versions a pair of 20 mm MG FF cannons was added in the wing. The earliest machines of the E series had further machine guns in the wing instead of cannons. The Bf 109T is the carrier-borne derivative of the Emil with an extended wing; it shares the armament with it, which is why one set covers both.

What the set solves

Barrels and gun muzzles are conspicuous on a model in 1:32 scale and a plastic part can only suggest them. A metal part holds its shape, it does not warp, it takes a thin wall and its muzzle does not have to be laboriously drilled out. It is fitted in place of the parts from the kit, that is into the troughs above the engine and into the leading edge of the wing.

Building and painting tips

Metal is glued with cyanoacrylate or a two-part adhesive; cement for polystyrene does not hold on it, because it has nothing to soften. Cut the plastic part off and widen the hole carefully so that the new part goes in fully home and on the axis. Before painting, wash and degrease the metal and go over it with a primer, otherwise the paint will rub off the smooth surface during handling. The barrels suit a dark gun-steel shade that can be lightly polished with graphite. Leave the muzzles clean so that the opening stays visible, and fit them only at the end of the build so that they are not bent during handling.

Who it is for

For modelers who are building the Bf 109E or the Bf 109T in 1:32 scale and want the armament in metal. The work is fine, so tweezers and a sharp blade come in handy. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.