1:72 Messerschmitt Bf-109F-4

The real subject

The Messerschmitt Bf 109F was an intermediate stage between the more angular early versions and the late Bf 109G. It received an aerodynamically cleaner nose, rounded wingtips and a horizontal tail surface without external struts. The F-4 version was powered by the Daimler-Benz DB 601, an inverted V12, and its armament consisted of a cannon firing through the propeller hub together with machine guns above the engine. Among modelers the F version is prized for its clean shapes and slender nose.

What is in the box

An injection-molded polystyrene kit, a decal sheet and instructions for building and painting. The difficulty is normal for 1:72 scale, the part count stays manageable and the model is a sensible size for a display case and for builders with less space.

Building and painting tips

Separate the parts from the sprue with sprue cutters and sand the remains of the gate away. Glue with cement for polystyrene and sand the seams on the fuselage down once they are dry. Finish the cockpit interior before you glue the fuselage together. Mask the canopy glazing before spraying; on the Bf 109F the framing is prominent and a mask makes the work much easier. Apply the decals over a gloss surface and work them under a matte varnish at the very end.

Who it is for

For a modeler who collects Second World War fighters in the small scale, and for anyone who wants a build of two or three evenings and a model that does not take up much room in a display case. The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted; the paints, the glue and the tools are not included, unless stated otherwise.