Reviewed by Mick Evans

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The Messerschmitt Bf 109 V13/V14 was first introduced to the world at the Dubendorf Air Races in 1937.  These two airframes were the basis for the Bf 109E series and the two aircraft were essential identical except for colour, the V13 being RLM 63 and V14 Wine Red.  The V14 was significant as it was flown by World War 1 Ernst Udet.  The V14 crashed due to an engine failure prior to the races with Udet walking away unscathed impressing the world aeronautical community.  The toughness of the little 109 so impressed the Swiss that they ordered 80 aircraft the following year.

The conversion set is designed to be used with the Tamiya E-3 kit.  The E-4 could be used but you will need to obtain an early canopy for the racing version.  Beautifully moulded in pale cream resin the set has been designed to replace the engine cowls, wing gun panel blanks and undercarriage leg covers.  Also provided in the set is the streamlined spinner and streamlined vacuum formed canopy to make the V13 world speed record breaking aircraft.  Some filling and sanding of the fighter aircraft gun panels, shell ejection chutes and cannon ports is required and further fuselage panel line filling is required to compete the record breaking aircraft.

The set was master by Jean-Luc Formery.  The record setting spinner was mastered by Joseph Osbourne of Fireball Modelworks, the canopy is moulded by Falcon, decals designed by Keith Davidson of Red Pegasus Decals and printed by Cartograph of Italy.  Tom Tullis did the artwork for the cover.

The detail on the resin parts is very crisp and nicely done.  There is some moulding flash that needs to be removed and the vacuum formed canopy will need to be cut out from its backing.  Although there is some modification and cutting of the kit parts required an intermediate modeller should be able to install this set.

Markings are provided for three aircraft as follows:

• Messerschmitt Bf 109 V13 D-IPKY Dubendorf Air Races 1937.  This aircraft is overall RLM 63 with red fin stripe and Swastika.

• Messerschmitt Bf 109 V13 World Speed Record Attempt Aircraft.  This aircraft is overall highly polished RLM 63 with red fin stripe and Swastika.

• Messerschmitt Bf 109 V14 D-ISLU Dubendorf Air Races 1937.  This aircraft is overall Wine Red with red fin stripe and Swastika.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Werner's Wings for the review sample

Werner's Wings products are available online from their website

Text Copyright © 2010 by Mick Evans
Page Created 23 February, 2010
Last updated 23 February, 2010

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