Trumpeter 1/24 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109K-4

Kit: No. 2418
Scale: 1/24
Manufacturer: Trumpeter from Stevens International, 856-435-1555, www.stevenshobby.com
Price: $119.95
Comments: Injection-molded, 297 parts (9 cast-metal, 15 photoetched metal, 3 vinyl), decals
Pros: Jumbo late Messerschmitt, great engine detail, good decals
Cons: Hinged control surfaces work poorly, ejector-pin marks, detail accuracy problems

The Bf 109K-4 is a follow-on to Trumpeter's four previous 1/24 scale Bf 109G kits. The kit is cleanly molded in neutral gray plastic. Features included are a complete engine and optional clear fuselage parts. Additional ordnance and stores are limited to a drop tank and under wing cannons. There are some annoying ejector pin marks on a few parts.

This new issue is similar to the previous Bf 109G-10 kit, with new landing gear bay doors, tail wheel doors, and a slightly different left fuselage component. These limited changes create some accuracy issues as there were many subtle differences in the K model.

Construction starts with a great rendition of the Diamler DB605 power plant. The kit assembly method integrates the engine and the cockpit module, matching the real aircraft's construction. You can prop both sides of the engine cover open to display the engine. I decided to close the cowl, and assembled and installed the engine to hold the exhaust pipes and prop assembly. After completing the model I found two unmarked parts on the sprue that appear to be designed to hold the exhausts if the engine is left out!

The cockpit is adequately detailed for this scale, but there's no harness on the seat. The cockpit of the K model was reconfigured, but the kit still represents the early Bf 109G configuration given in the earlier kits. The instrument panel is built up from a plastic front plate and a film backing for the instrument dials. The pilot's canopy armor is incorrectly presented as a solid part; it should have a clear glass panel in the middle.

The fuselage surface detail has been partially revised to show the repositioned access hatch on the left side. Its shape is a bit suspect due to the slope of the top panel line.

You will need to modify the tail wheel by cutting out a portion of the fuselage as directed and sanding off the existing wheel well cover detail. A new door part is provided. It is given to show the tail wheel doors closed which is correct. The actual design introduced a retracting tail wheel that had the doors open when the aircraft was on the ground. However the retraction mechanism often failed, so the tail wheel was locked in the down position and the doors permanently closed.

All of the control surfaces are constructed with photoetched hinges. They are tedious to build, and there's not enough friction to hold them so they tend to droop to the lowest position.

The wings went together easily and feature separate leading-edge slats. Trumpeter has configured the wings for the 20mm cannon pods. Although the K model could carry them, there's no documentation of them being installed. The landing gear have movable oleo struts with internal spring assemblies. Based on experience with the struts on Trumpeter 1/24 scale Fw 190D, I knew the single plastic pin holding the oleo in each main strut would not prevent it from rotating, so I glued them in. I had to carefully clean-up the pronounced mold-separation lines on each of the vinyl tires.

I painted my Messerschmitt with Gunze Sangyo's Aqueous late-war Luftwaffe colors. These paints are now under GSI Creos' "Mr. Hobby" brand and are labeled "Hobby Color." The decals were excellent, going down trouble-free on a gloss undercoat.

I built my big Bf 109K in 30 hours. It's an impressive model when completed. The building challenges presented should be able to be handled by modelers with some experience.

- Jim Zeske