1:48 Messerschmitt Bf109 E-4/7 Trop

Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4/7 Trop 1:48 (Tamiya)

An injection-molded plastic kit of the famous German fighter in 1:48 scale from Tamiya, known for the precise fit of its parts. The kit allows you to build the tropical version Bf 109 E-4/7 Trop with the characteristic dust filter on the intake, typical of service in the Mediterranean and North Africa. The box contains gray plastic parts, a clear canopy that can be built open or closed, the pylon for the drop tank of the E-7 version and a pilot figure.

The real subject

At the beginning of the Second World War the Bf 109 E series was one of the mainstays of the Luftwaffe and became famous during the Battle of Britain. The E-4 version stood out for its heavier armament, while the E-7 version received a pylon for a drop tank that extended its range. Tropical machines marked Trop had a sand filter on the engine intake to protect it from dust in the desert; in this form they flew over North Africa and the Mediterranean, where they became an inseparable part of the air fighting there.

Building and painting tips

Thanks to the precise Tamiya fit it is a rewarding kit even for the less experienced. First finish and paint the cockpit and seat the figure, and only then close the fuselage. Use liquid cement for plastic, a primer and an airbrush; mask the clear canopy before painting and decide on the open or the closed position. Desert schemes come alive with light paint weathering, dust pigments on the lower surfaces and washes in the engraved lines.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of Luftwaffe equipment of the Second World War
• Those interested in the fighting over North Africa and the Mediterranean
• Beginners as well as experienced modelers, thanks to the excellent fit

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.