Kit: No. FL1
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Fine Molds, available from Hobbylink Japan, www.hlj.com
Price: ¥ 2,200 (about $21)
Comments: Injection-molded, 71 parts, (23 photoetched, 2 vinyl, 1 metal), decals
Pros: Crisp detail, ease of assembly, camouflage decals
Cons: Decals for wings too narrow; light colored decals translucent
Fine Molds’ new 1/72 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 kit has finely scribed panel lines and an option to open the engine bay. A separate bag contains a turned-aluminum pitot tube and a fret of photoetched details for the cockpit, engine, and landing gear.
Markings are supplied for two aircraft, and decals for the camouflage pattern are included. A detailed, one-piece canopy and gun sight complete the kit.
Cockpit detail is good for this scale. I really liked the photoetched seat belts, trim wheel, and instrument panel. These parts put this kit a step above its competition. I painted the fuselage walls and floor RLM 66.
The engine bay includes the engine, mounts, and ammunition boxes. The separate gun assembly is easy to paint, and the photoetched oil pan and spark-plug wires give the engine bay a finished look. I positioned one cowling panel open to show off the details. The assembled fuselage was painted RLM 76, and the completed cockpit was installed from below.
After test fitting the wings to the fuselage, I added the decals to the fuselage and wing upper surfaces. I laid down all the decals for the fuselage spine first, then placed the ID band over the top, making sure the camouflage didn’t overlap. I added the camouflage pattern for the sides from tail to nose. The decals for the wings didn’t cover the leading edges, so I hand-painted them with Gunze Sangyo RLM 74 and RLM 75.
Next, I added the turned-aluminum pitot tube and attached the external belly-mounted fuel tank, which required trimming the mounting tab down so the tank could fit flush.
My model was also painted with Gunze Sangyo RLM 76, RLM 02, and Model Master RLM 66. I chose the markings for Oberleutnant Hans Philipp’s aircraft, which are shown on the side of the kit box. The model scales a little short in span and a little tall against the specifications I found in Squadron/Signal’s Messerschmitt Bf 109 in Action Part II by John R. Beaman.
I took 14 hours to build my Messerschmitt. The decal camouflage makes this kit easy to finish. For those who don’t like painting complicated camouflage patterns, this kit is ideal.
– Tom Foti