ITALERI 1:72 MESSERSCHMITT BF-109F-2/4
'INBOX Review'

 

Reviewer: John Lacey  (elric@johnsmail.com)

Italeri's "Friedrich" is one of that company's crop of kits designed for multiple version use, basic airframe components added to for each version.  In some instances, this can lead to inaccuracies as one mould is used beyond it's means, although this is rarely the case in Italeri's products.

The instruction sheet is standard Italeri fare, beginning with a brief history of the aircraft, parts breakdown, painting callouts and then construction.  Alternate airframes are noted during construction comprising of an F-2, F-4/Trop and an F-4/B.  Alternate components include internal wing mounted cannons and breech bulges for the F-2, external windscreen armour for the F-4 variants.  Air filter for the F-4/Trop, alternate oil cooler intakes, a 300l drop tank and finally an SC250 bomb applicable to the F-4/B Jabo.

The moulds themselves are superlative, finely moulded panel lines and scale thickness prevalent.  Cockpit detail is Spartan, though quite adequate in this scale with sidewall detail.  Separate engine panels and tail surfaces give us the alternate 'Friedrich' based parts, as does wing surfaces with rounded tips.  These options allow the aircraft to be later used for the 'Gustav' variants, and I'm sure super detailers will appreciate the separate engine panels especially.  One bonus here is the exhausts can be painted prior to the glare shields being fitted, alleviating a common problem with mid to late Bf-109's in general.  Transparencies are crystal clear, allowing the canopy to be posed open and also including a separate armoured headrest (a frequently mis-moulded component).

Decals are provided for Adolf Galland's F-2 of JG26 in France, Staffelkapitan Liesendahl's F-4/B of 10.(Jabo)/JG2 also in France, complete with shipping kills and finally an F-4/Trop of II/JG27 in North Africa.  Naturally no swastikas are present, needing to be outsourced.  The decals themselves are typical Italeri, well printed and matt and should provide little or no problems.

Painting callouts mentioned before include FS and Model Master codes but no RLM numbers.  References will be important here as 'Light Ghost Grey' would be somewhat inappropriate for a 1940s vintage aircraft.  Having said that, both French based machines sport standard splinter/mottle type schemes, both airframes being well documented, whilst the JG27 'Friedrich' is in standard North Africa with white theatre markings.

In conclusion, a little gem and worth the purchase or three.  Aftermarket decals abound for the '109, so this is an accurate, inexpensive way of completing a thematic display or a Staffel!

 

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