Bilek 1/72 Messerschmitt Bf-210B-1

BILEK 1:72 MESSERSCHMITT BF-210B-1
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Myself (rec.models.scale)

Kit Details: Bilek 1/72 Model scale Kit No.935 - Messerschmitt Bf-210 B-1

Aircraft History: The Messerschmitt Bf-210B-0/1 is the photographic reconnaissance variant of the Bf-210; with several being built from the nightfighter Bf-210A-1. The B-1 differed from the fighter variant in that the forward machine guns were removed and it retained only the two 20-mm cannons as armament. Additionally, two cameras were mounted in the bomb bay to fit out the reconnaissance role as well as two wing mounted 900 ltr auxiliary fuel tanks.

Kit Parts: All the parts come together in one plastic bag, which contains two sprues of about 53 medium grey injection moulded parts (although there are a few extra smaller components, that would bump the count total to around 70) and one sprue of 11 clear parts.

Panel lines are engraved and are a bit shallow, not as crisp as you would expect from a mainstream manufacturer. A very small amount of flash can be seen on some of the parts but there are a couple of sink marks (a nasty one on the lower nose panel which you can see in the photo below - the part on the extreme right, a dip right in the centre alongside the sprue lug), and ejector pin stubs which will need attention.

The injection moulded clear parts are quite thin but a bit distorted with a couple of types of glazing options provided. There are a ranted of canopy windows and glazing, allowing I suspect one to display the cockpit open should one choose to do so.

Instructions: Two double sided and quite separate A4 sheets make up the instructions. On the first sheet, the front page provides a very brief overview of the type in Czech & English; sprue diagram; list of model master paints assigned with a letter which is referred to during construction and the first four assembly steps. It takes a moment to realise that the [A] & [B] in the instructions refers to the paint guide, not the sprue for the part. There will certainly be some experience with dealing with instructions required as placement of parts is a bit vague in areas and small additional sketches of a heat iron and glue option has no text telling you about this. It's only that I have seen these sketches before and have some knowledge of using heat to flatten the end of a part that I knew it was a note to apply heat. Reference photos and information is recommended whilst constructing this aircraft. There are small inset diagrams throughout the assembly steps to show measurements to help provide exact placement for parts, eg: underwing bomb racks, and profile sketches to show how the angles should be represented on the forward gunner's seat and so forth.

On the otherside of the first sheet are line drawings for the colour scheme and decal placement. Sideviews are given to both the versions catered for in the kit and then one generic top view that covers both versions, as well as the starboard underside profile only. Shaded areas indicate the painting scheme again from Modelmaster range although RLM and Humbrol numbers are also provided.

The second sheet provides the remainder of the construction steps on one side, covering steps 5 - 10, with the last one referring to stretched sprue and rigging the antenna. The otherside of the sheet is probably the best part of the instructions in that it provides a series of detail sketches on various aspects of the Me-210 which will help as a reference tool during construction.

Colour Options: There are two versions to choose from, listed as Messerschmitt Bf-210 B-0/B-1 from North Africa 1943. I am not sure if this means one is a B-0 and the other is a B-1 but the only difference between the two is that one has fuselage code F6+UK and the other F6+VK. Both wear upper RLM 74/75 splinter camouflage and RLM 76 mottled with RLM 74 sides. RLM 65 Hellblau undersides.

Decals: Very small decal sheet with only fuselage codes and the Luftwaffe insignia provided. Swastikas are printed also, in halves. They are printed with good colour density with a thin carrier film.

Cockpit/Wheel Bay Detail: The main wheel bays are in the main wings are not boxed in, with no detail provided. The cockpit does not fair much better with no interior detail for the fuselage halves. The cockpit consists of floor with moulded pilot rudder pedals and raised tabs for the pilot and rear observer seats, which are both basic bucket seat mouldings, although the cushions are separate! A bulkhead with pilot headrest separates the two cockpit areas. The pilot cockpit is provided with a control column and side panels which have no detail. The main instrument panel is split into two, with one half going into the dashboard area of the respective fuselage halves but they do not come together.

Optional components: A choice of two canopies is provided to enable one, from what I can interpret from the instructions, to display an open cockpit. The mid fuselage guns can be displayed at the angle desired and if a heated knife is used to flatten the part from the interior, may also be moveable. For stores, four bombs and a pair of auxiliary fuel tanks are provided.

Conclusion: This is one of those kits one is best advised to reserve judgement until the kit is built and a proper assessment can be made. It looks okay in the box, and does remind one of an early Italeri style kit, albeit with engraved rather than raised panel lines. It looks like it will be a reasonably straight forward kit to put together and apart from some inadequate direction in the instruction sheet doesn't appear to hold any real pitfalls. Quality of the moulding is not too bad, probably a bit better than say an MPM kit, and with locating tabs and the like should aid in the fit and construction process. Fit of the wings and fuselage halves revealed no real concerns. Recommended.

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