Aero Plast 1/72 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109D

Kit: 00271
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Aero Plast, from Squadron Mail Order, 972-242-8663, www.squadron.com
Price: $6.98
Comments: Injection-molded, 56 parts, decals
Pros: The only D model in this scale
Cons: Rough moldings, poor fit between tail and rudder, thick small parts, inconsistent recessed panel lines, translucent decals

Aero Plast's early Bf 109D fills a hole in 1/72 scale '109 collections. Molded in light-gray plastic, the kit features a cockpit interior, one-piece canopy, and a bomb. Also in the kit are the parts to make the B and C versions (separately issued with different decals, instructions, and box). This one comes with two sets of markings for Spanish Civil War aircraft and a colorful shark-nose scheme from 2/ JG 176.

The first thing I noticed was the rough surface of the parts. I used a polishing stick to smooth out the surface of the wings, fuselage, and tail. The cockpit interior parts are thick and the seat has no harness. I had to trim away an ejector pin mark on the right side of the fuselage to get the cockpit to fit inside the fuselage. The plans don't state interior colors, so I painted it Testors RLM 02 with Floquil weathered black on the instrument panel. The canopy needed a little sanding to get it to sit flat.

The worst-fitting part is the separate rudder. The rudder was 1/8" too short, so I sawed off the leading edge at an angle to the base of the tail. Sanding sticks restored the curved surface of the tail's leading edge.

The spinner needed to have notches cut out so it would fit over the prop blades. I suspected the colorful shark-mouth decal on the nose wouldn't conform to the exhaust stacks, so I used the alternate flush exhaust panels, then when the decals were set, I inserted short lengths of plastic rod for the exhaust pipes.

The instructions' paint numbers are keyed to Humbrol colors (although they don't say so), but I used discontinued AeroMaster enamel RLM 70, 71, and 65. Paul Eden's Encyclopedia of Aircraft of World War II, and Iliad's Luftwaffe Fighters were my references.

The decals were translucent and silvered even over a Future floor polish gloss coat and a soaking with Solvaset.

The finished model measures a little long and a little narrow in span. I spent 14 hours on the little 'Schmitt. You should be prepared for fit problems and hunt around for alternate decals.

- Tom Foti