Kagero Messerschmitt Bf 109s over the Mediterranean, Part I

[Mikester]

"Messerschmitt Bf 109s over the Mediterranean, Part I"

Maciej Góralczyk and Arkadiusz Wróbel
Kagero Publishing

Available from Kagero for €14.10

 

 

Kagero has released "Mini Topcolors 34, Messerschmitt Bf 109s over the Mediterranean, Part I". The Bf 109 remains an incredibly popular (and sometimes controversial) subject for WWII modelers and when dressed up in Mediterranean livery you get some great subjects to model. When you think of this theater of operations, JG 27 usually springs to mind. The iconic desert camouflaged Emils and names like Marseille, Schröer and Homuth are familiar to most of us but other units played a significant role in theater as well.

 

 

As with every other theater the Luftwaffe operated in, the Med gave rise to many ad-hoc, field applied paint schemes. When combined with the usual array of unit insignias, personal markings, ID bands and the like you get some neat looking aircraft that will look great on the shelf, as well as challenge your airbrushing skills!

 

The Topcolors format is simple, four view color profiles (with scratch drawings as required), a short description of the aircraft and a decal sheet printed by Cartograf with markings in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale. The 20 pages are presented in the usual soft cover landscape format. Arkadiusz Wróbel has done his usual stellar work on the color profiles and the eight subjects included in the book gives a nice cross section of 109s operating in North Africa and Italy. Let's take a look at what's inside:

 

 

 

 

Taking a little closer look at the profiles, here's what's included:

• Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-7/N; probably W.Nr. 4139, 'White 11', flown by Lt. Theo Lindemann of 7./JG 26, Ain-el-Gazala, Libya, summer 1941,
• Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4 trop; flown by Ofw. Karl-Heinz Bendert of Stab II./JG 27, Derna, Libya, December 1941,
• Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4 trop; W.Nr. 8665, flown by Lt. Gustav Frielinghaus of Stab II./JG 3, Sicily, Italy, early 1942,
• Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4/Z; W.Nr. 13060, 'Yellow 2', flown by Uffz. Karl-Heinz Witschke of 3./JG 77, Comiso, Italy, early July 1942,
• Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 trop; 'Black 7' of 2./JG 77, Tunisia, early 1943,
• Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2/R2 trop; 'Black 19' of 2.(H)/14, La Marsa, Tunisia, March 1943,
• Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6; 'Yellow 13', flown by Uffz. Hans Jegg of 9./JG 53, Italy, summer 1943,
• Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 trop; 'Black 8' of 5./JG 27, Trapani, Italy, summer 1943.

 

 

"Black 7" with it's meandering green squiggles and "Black 8" with the rarely seen Staffel emblem of 5./JG 27 are particularly interesting Gustavs.

Decals are beautifully printed by Cartograf and are in perfect register, with authentic colour and minimal carrier film.

 

 

So what do we think?

Another interesting installment in the Topcolors series. While the subject may not appeal to everyone it certainly will appeal to Bf 109 and Luftwaffe enthusiasts. The only nitpick I have, and this relates to the Topcolors series in general, is the lack of spinner spiral decals. You're either going to have source them from another decal sheet or mask them yourself. With what's included it's certainly a good value and should be a welcome addition to your WWII aviation library.

 

Highly Recommended!

 

With thanks to Kagero for the review sample. To purchase directly, click THIS link.

 

Mike O

 

[Grant]

Another good one, nicely done Mike.

[Guest styrenedemon]

Nice review. I'm liking that Black 7!