MPM 1/72 Messerschmitt Bf 109V1

MPM 1:72 MESSERSCHMITT BF 109-V1
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Simon Skinner (rec.models.scale)

Kit Details: MPM No.72029 1/72 Messerschmitt Bf 109-V1

Aircraft History: The Bf 109V1 was first flown at the end of May 1935 and launched a long line of well over 33,000 airframes to take to the sky during World War 2. The V1 prototype was considered a radical concept even though it was virtually an upgraded Bf 108 in many ways, and it also required a British engine, the Kestrel, to power it because the DB 600 for which the aircraft was designed was not available at the time. The radical design of the aircraft saw it as the first all-metal stressed-skin single seat monoplane with enclosed cabin and retractable landing gear. While history documents the Bf 109 well, it is interesting to note that it also competed against two other aircraft from Arado and Focke-Wulf to become the main monoplane fighter for the Luftwaffe.

The Kit: The single sprue contains just over 20 limited run injection molded parts in light grey colour, minor amounts of flash evident, especially around undercarriage and a few seam lines to deal with. There is a vacform canopy and a small fret of brass etched parts that covers the cockpit detailing (incl rudder pedals, panel and seat harnesses) and some external areas such as the intake grill. A photo etched decal film is provided for the instrument panel, which will be sandwiched against the plastic backing by a brass etched front face. The panel lines are very finely engraved and won't take much to cover over.

Instructions: Folded sheets of A4 make up the A5 booklet with first pages devoted to brief history and notes from MPM in four languages (Czech, German, French & English). Also included is a sprue diagram and paint call out from Humbrol range and RLM. There are half a dozen assembly steps that are quite straightforward to follow with a couple of areas being a bit vague. Four-view diagram (top, underside and each sideview) provided for markings and colour scheme for aircraft.

Versions/Decals: Despite the kit catering for the one aircraft, being the V1 prototype, it actually provides two schemes. One in overall RLM 63 (Light Grey) and the other RLM 63 upper with dark blue fuselage underside. The decal sheet is very small and produced by Propagteam so we presume the type of excellent quality and register there is here. Swastikas are there but are split into halves with one being already incorporated into the red tail band.

Impressions: A limited run kit it is marketed as and a limited run kit it is, showing all the traits that will no doubt challenge our skills in spite of the seemingly straightforward looking project before us by virtue of just a handful of parts. Having recently finished an MPM project I can see this one providing similar areas of both concern and challenge. The attachment points are thick and will need careful removal and most of the parts carry some sort of minor flash and need tidying up with a hobby knife. There are seam lines from the moulding process and there are ejector pin marks to remove, although these are thankfully few.

The breakdown of the kit is pretty standard for a 109 except the main difference being a one-piece main wing and the slight subtle differences of the aircraft prototype shape to later variants. The rudder is a separate component as is the lower front cowl. The wheel bays are shallow cut out boxes in the wing and are completely devoid of detail. The wheels and two-blade propellor are also single pieces.

Accuracy: From looks at reference material to spot the subtle differences between the later variants and the V1 prototype it looks like MPM have it pretty well on the money.

Conclusion: An important piece of aviation history is not captured in any other injection molded form to my knowledge in this scale, so that by itself earns recommendation status and is often why we are blessed with these manufacturers. It is a limited run kit with all its vices and shortcomings that will no doubt mean that your modelling skills have to be at least at intermediate level to tackle, however, it appears to be a straightforward build for most in the box. Recommended!

web hosting • domain names • video sharing
free online games • photo sharing
free blog • short URLs