Matt_

Rick Check that you have the correct under wing inserts for this a/c in the D-9... I have a sneaking suspicion this machine had the early bulged panels that accommodated the MG FF 20mm cannon magazine of the FW 190 A5/6 (and some earlier marks). The box says for the A-8 or A-5 kit, so it is possible that the machine was configured both with and without that panel. All armament was removed anyway. Actually, if you look on the box lid, Planet show no bulge, just a plain panel. In the instructions, you see a FW 190 A-8 panel with a small bulge and if you look at the lower drawing of the camo and markings it has the very different MG FF bulge... Planet.... covered all their bases.. . I can dig something out for you if you want to know which panel you need.... Someone may even have spares.... Matt

Hi Rocky Love the tail gear, looks really good. Matt

Hi I've had a look at some photos and it appears that there weren't either. Of course it is possible that the feature came in during the E-1, I don't really know, but all the images of E-1s below, linked to the fantastic Falcon's Messerschmitt Bf109 Hanger, show no foot or hand holds... http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=7118 http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=7036 http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=6493 http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=6229 Here's a couple of E-3s which don't appear to have them either... http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=7473 http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=7482 http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=7418 109E-4 http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=6141, doesn't look to be one there either...? http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=1670 So, I'd say for the E-1, no hand or foot hold. For the E-3 and E-4 a very non-representative sample says no. However, I would check this out more as I think many E-1s were re-built as E-3 or maybe even E-4, that could mean that the lack of holds are a carry over from the E-1 and new builds had them... Hope that helps...

Hi I've had a look at some photos and it appears that there weren't either. Of course it is possible that the feature came in during the E-1, I don't really know, but all the images of E-1s below, linked to the fantastic Falcon's Messerschmitt Bf109 Hanger, show no foot or hand holds... http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=7118 http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=7036 http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=6493 http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=6229 Here's a couple of E-3s which don't appear to have them either... http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=7473 http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=7482 http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=version_display&fotonummer=7418 109E-4 http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/display.php?lang=de&amp%252'>

They do/did an MC200 in 1/32 as well I believe it was their 1st 1/32... It has an 'interesting' build reputation..... I've got one in the stash..... There's also a beautiful Fiat G-59 conversion for the PCM G-55 kit by Tail Boom, an Italian company. So I think the single engined fighters are quite well covered (though PCM's Italian - well all their stuff - attracts high prices) it's the next stage up and beyond that's ill served and I suspect will remain so, unless Italeri decides to do a Revell with their own national aviation products in 1/32..? Doesn't Combat or Tigger do an SM79 vac...? Matt Matt

Nice work.. Matt

Nick What's actually going to be in that boxing that isn't in the E-4...? Obviously there won't be a turbo intake dust filter. Maybe you could get one moulded from someone who has the kit already (which I don't by the way).. Just in case you can't find one... Matt

Wow! What a beauty Paul. It certainly makes a change seeing it in overall RLM 65... Matt

Very nice Iain... It'll be at Telford...? Matt

Certainly does help... Damn good effect for 2nd attempt,,, Matt

That's a really nice rendition of what could have been a boring monotone scheme.. I like it... Matt

Hi Gérard To be honest I'm not sure if this was a factory specific feature or that the Revell and Hasegawa (and Trumpeter?) kits just miss this feature..? I don't think it is specific to a particular mark of the Bf109G. It isn't a well photographed part in wartime photos... If I find anything I'll mention it here. OK, I've had a scan of a couple of books and I think that is part of a seat back that maybe wasn't always fitted to aircraft. The triangular part is a pressed area which appears to be there to stop the back fouling the seat belt attachments... Hope that helps. Matt

No Nick... My garage would have a Bf109K-4 in it.... One day.... Matt

And for visual reference: Matt

230 Euros in the EU..... I can't see why it'd be more expensive than the Walrus....which was £150.... I'm sure Revell (or maybe MENG) will do one, this kit'll be pretty niche... they appear to be concentrating on the money no object clientèle.. Interesting that they do the 410A and not the more well known and popular B series with all their heavy weaponry....? Matt

Like most everyone else, I am very impressed by the weathering... How did you apply the oil paint..? As a filter, dot filter... any info welcomed.. Matt

I suppose what I was really wondering was if Dragon had commissioned the Me 163 and Do 335 CAD to be done and then got cold feet or the designer 'defected'. I know it isn't beyond the realms of reason that MENG would take on a subject that had been announced by one of the 'heavies', but it wouldn't be the first time that one company's project ends up in someone else's box..... Matt

Wonder how much it'll be...? I had their Me410 and thought the surface details were a bit heavy handed in places... let's hope they ease off a bit. I wonder if there's any connection between MENG and Dragon... ? Look forward to seeing and probably buying a couple... another Hasegawa classic looks to be about to bow out.... Matt

There's no real comparison... Hasegawa's kit was good and can be built to look good still, but with much work. Trumpy's kit is a beauty.. also more accurate as Hasegawa made their engine nacelles larger to fit close to scale engines fit inside - Trumpeter went the other way, scale nacelles with under scale engines (a much better solution). The engines despite being under size do look rather nice and are models in their own right. Trump's tyres are vinyl - which I don't fret about, but are also pretty poor approximations of the real tread pattern. One of Barracuda's stunning Me 262 wheel sets and you won't need anything else. You can still get the single seaters on eBay for reasonable prices every now and then, the night fighter is always harder to find and costs more... My copy of the 262A-2a has all the necessary parts to make the A-1a (ie four gun nose part and 4 MK108 cannon) but has bonus of bomb racks which I believe can be adapted to depict the WfGr21 mortars carried by some aircraft... My only dislike for the kit is the great big tabs used to locate the cockpit module - totally unnecessary... not too hard to remove though. Matt

Nice review... Those 'finned' exhausts do look a bit over simplified.. Matt

Wow Nice to this one finished..... Oil staining is very well portrayed.... Matt

They are the same. From Bf109E to F and G-1/2 tyres are 650x150mm Wheels appear the same, though I recall reading there were a couple of rarer variants... (some Bf109F a/c had a strange plain hub quite unlike the one that appeared on the G-4). Matt

I'm not totally sure what the HS folk will make of a review where rivet counters actually say something's really good....? Matt

Nice review Cees and Jeroen I was lucky enough to pick up the old Touchdown models vac for a princely £15. I'm hoping it'll be able to cash in on the aftermarket that may come for this kit... Matt

Thanks for the positives folks... it has been fun and a little daunting.. Kag - regarding G-14, I think we could do that (although I suspect the new book will cover this...?).. My second kit will be a G-14 (I'll use one of the excellent schemes from the 21st Century kit). Andreas... Yes, I think Hasegawa and that Bf109G-6 kit are probably responsible for kicking off the resurgence of 1/32... it was certainly the kit that got me back into that scale.... it was a revelation when it came out. News to me that it was going to be Accurate Miniatures...! I certainly want to illustrate on my review build that the kit parts can be finessed to get good results... I am really liking this kit more and more as I go through it. The beule are in need of a little 'enhancement' but I don't think it'll be too difficult to achieve. I am also coming to the conclusion there are more than one style of beule (over and above the right hand side options in the kit), I've noted four different beule/turbo intake variations from a quick scan through a few books.... Great kit... Matt