Messerschmitt Bf 109 T conversion set

Alley Cat, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner

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Do you want your Eduard 1:32 scale Bf 109 to stand out from the crowd? Thanks to this new conversion set from Alley Cat….you can!

Before WWII, the German Navy took an interest in carrier aviation and started construction on an aircraft carrier. It was called the Graf Zeppelin which intended to use a modified version of the Bf 109 for its fighter contingent and a suitably adapted Ju 87 for the dive-bombing duties.

These converted aircraft never made it to the ill fated carrier and were instead used for other duties. Many of the 109s went to Norway as the aircraft’s shorter take-off and landing abilities made it the ideal candidate it to operate on the smaller airfields found there.

This conversion focuses on the Bf 109 T2 and is designed to be mated with Eduard’s E-4 variant.

Kagero’s book “Messerschmitt Bf 109 T, the Luftwaffe’s Naval Fighter” was used for the development of the product and kudos to Alley Cat for bringing their reference material to the modeller’s attention.

Amongst other things, the kit contains a total of 11 resin pieces.

These are superbly cast with no air bubbles present on any of the items. The contents feature parts to extend the wings and this includes the longer slats and ailerons. A long range 300 liter fuel tank is also supplied as well as the different engine air intake found on later versions of the T2.

The catapult hooks come courtesy of a fret of photo etched parts and it is here that one finds a scribing template to depict the non-operational spoilers found on the upper wing surfaces.

Marking Options

A single decal sheet carries the markings for an impressive 6 aircraft. They are produced by the Fantasy Printshop and were presented on a satisfying bed of very thin carrier film. The registration was perfect and considering the many colours used on the unit emblems, this is quite a feat.

Subjects are:

1. Messerschmitt Bf 109 T-2, Black 6, JG 11, Norway 1944

2. Messerschmitt Bf 109 T-2, Yellow 7, NJG 101, Germany 1943

3. Messerschmitt Bf 109 T-2, Black 11, JG 11, Norway 1943

4. Messerschmitt Bf 109 T-2, Yellow 1, JG 77, Norway 1941

5. Messerschmitt Bf 109 T-2, Red 5, JG 11, Norway 1941

6. Messerschmitt Bf 109 T-2, Yellow 7, JG 11, Norway 1941

Note that the first three options use the included replacement air intake.

The instruction sheet does an excellent job of guiding the modeller through the conversion process with explanatory text and diagrams where appropriate.

The likelihood of the Bf 109T appearing in 1:32 scale is very remote indeed.

Fans of this aircraft would normally have a lot of work ahead of them to even attempt this kind of conversion. This package takes the pain out of such a process. Alley Cat have provided a competent package that enables anyone with a modicum of modeling skills to add a subject that most will have missing from their 109 collection.

Thanks to A2Zee Models for the review sample

Alley Cat and FAA Models' accessories are available from A2Zee Models  website

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2009 by Rob Baumgartner
Page Created 18 November, 2009
Last updated 18 November, 2009

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