1:48 Bf.109E-1/Bf.109E-3 canopy masks (inside & outside)

Bf 109E-1 and Bf 109E-3, a canopy masked inside and out

A set of masks for the glazing frames of both early Emils in 1:48 scale, in the form for the inner and the outer side of the clear parts.

Cannons, or machine guns

Both versions share the same airframe and the same cockpit, but they differ in the essential thing they carry in the wing. The E-1 relied on rapid-firing machine guns with a large supply of rounds, while the E-3 received cannons, which had a lower rate of fire and a smaller supply of ammunition but an incomparably greater destructive effect. In the fighting over France and the Channel both versions flew at the same time and many units mixed them within one flight. For a modeler that means one set of masks covers both builds and the difference is dealt with only at the armament and the small details under the wing.

Wide frames the pilot sees too

The glazing of the Emil is divided by very wide frames, which take a surprisingly large part of the view away from the cockpit. It is precisely because of that width that it shows on a model whether the frame is painted only from outside: from inside it would show through as a transparent strip. The middle section also hinges to the side, so when displayed the reverse comes literally into the foreground. The set deals with both sides and the procedure is simple, just two rounds: the inner shade first, and the exterior scheme once it has dried.

For which modelers

• for building an Emil with the cockpit hinged open
• when you want the frame in the interior shade on the reverse too
• for both versions, the machine gun and the cannon one
• if plastic showing through on wide frames bothers you