Hispano Me 109 E
Flying Testbed

Conversion for Eduard Bf 109 E-1

Attitude Aviation As, 1/32

Reviewed by Brett Green

In 1942, the Spanish government arranged a licence with Messerschmitt AG to manufacture the Bf 109 G-2, although the DB 605A engines, propellers, instruments and weapons were to be supplied from Germany.

This proved impossible as Germany was incapable of meeting its own needs let alone Spain's, and only 25 airframes (without their tails) and less than half the necessary drawings were actually delivered.

Consequently, Hispano Aviación replaced the DB 605A engine with the 1,600 hp HS 89-12Z and the project was renamed Bf 109J by Messerschmitt.

The HS 89-12Z engine performed a successful flight in a Bf 109 E used as flying testbed, in Barcelona in 1944

Text adapted from Wikipedia

Attitude Aviation AS has brought us a 1/32 scale resin conversion to transform Eduard's Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 into this interesting one-off flying testbed.

Previously, Attitude Aviation AS has released a Hispano HA-1112 M1L Buchon Resin Conversion, reviewed here on HyperScale in 2019 by James Hatch. Considering the high quality of this conversion, I was looking forward to seeing the Hispano flying testbed.

The Hispano Messerschmitt featured a completely new engine cowling. Whereas the Daimler-Benz engine of the German aircraft was an inverted V-12, the Hispano was an upright V-12 so the exhausts were higher on the cowling. This also required a lengthwise bulge on each side of the upper engine cowling to accommodate the rocker covers.

The Hispano cowling was more streamlined than the Daimler-Benz, perhaps more reminiscent of a Bf 109 F than a Bf 109 E.

Attitude Aviation AS's 1/32 scale Hispano Me 109 E Flying Testbed Conversion comprises just nine parts in resin and markings for two options on a single decal sheet.

The resin parts are exquisite. They are perfectly cast by SBS of Hungary. Surfaces are smooth and detail is beautfully done.

The jewel in the crown is the large hollow main engine cowl casting.

Scoops and vents are all hollowed out.

The entire cowling is attached to its casting block with just six strips at the nose end, which should be pretty straightforward to remove with a razor saw.

The exhausts are also hollowed out and cast with weld seams. Don't sand these off - they're supposed to be there!

The oil cooler faces are cast with fins and supports. They look great.

The smaller intake is very cleverly cast with detail deep inside.

Decals are supplied for two marking options. They represent the same aircraft at different times.

The first has a natural metal engine cowling.

The later version has the cowling integrated with its RLM 02 Grey and RLM 65 Light Blue camouflage.

Colour saturation and registration looks good.

Instructions are supplied on a single-sided sheet.

Installation of the resin parts looks very straightforward but it might have been helpful to have some more details or diagrams for cutting the forward fuselage. It looks like the only cut necessary will be a small slice behind the kit's exhausts. It looks like the main cowling will butt up against natural panel lines.

Attitude Aviation has delivered a high quality conversion of an interesting one-off subject.

The conversion looks to be quite straightforward to build and the inclusion of decals for the two known markings of this flying testbed is very welcome.

Highly recommended for Luftwaffe, Spanish aviation and 109 fans.

Thanks to Attitude Aviation As for the review sample

Review and Images Copyright © 2019 by Brett Green
Page Created 23 February, 2021
Last updated 24 February, 2021

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