Classic Airframes' early Bf 109 in 1/48
Augsburg's First Eagle

by Brett Green

Classic Airframes' 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 A  is available online from Squadron

Early Bf 109 Prototypes and Production Variants

The earliest Messerschmitt Bf 109 variants were fitted with the Jumo 210 engine. Compared to the the later and more familiar Daimler-Benz equipped versions, the Jumo powerplant rendered a very different profile to the nose of these early 109s.

The first Bf 109 to be fitted with the Jumo engine was the second prototype, the V2, which differed from the first production models in a number of respects. The V2 was unarmed, featured a streamlined upper cowl, different spinner design, large main wheels requiring a long "bump" on the top of the wings (similar to the later model Bf 109s such as the G-10 and K-4), small tail wheel with no oleo scissor and other detail variations.

The next prototype, the V3, was fitted with cowl armament and a revised windscreen, but was otherwise similar to the V2. It is generally acknowledged that the V3 was the prototype for the Bf 109A series.

The V4 introduced the production-style engine cowling and tail wheel, narrower main wheels (with the upper wing bump deleted), and a separately-framed quarter panel on the bottom of each side of the windscreen. Other changes included the provision for a centre mounted machine gun firing through the propeller hub, relocation of the pitot tube from the side of the fuselage to under the wing, and a new style of oil cooler mounted close to the port-side wheel well. The Bf 109 V4 was the prototype for the Bf 109B production series. A variable pitch metal two-bladed VDM propeller assembly was planned for the Bf 109B, but delays in supply meant that the first production machines were fitted with the wooden Schwarz propeller.

It should be pointed out that there are discrepancies between reference sources regarding identification of some of these prototypes and early production models. One recent case in point relates to the first production machines. Conventional wisdom has been that the Bf 109B was the first variant to reach production status but recent sources, including Lynn Ritger's new Bf 109 "Modellers' Datafile", suggest that there might have been a small Bf 109A series production run. Regardless of the label, however, these early production machines varied little. For example, the main feature suggested as distinguishing the Bf 109A from early Bf 109B production machines is the location of the underwing oil cooler.

In service, these "Jumoschmitts" were relatively underpowered, and the initial armament of two cowl-mounted machine guns quickly proved inadequate compared to the emerging generation of European fighter aircraft.

Despite these limitations, however, the Messerschmitt Bf 109B, C and D dominated contemporary fighters in combat over the skies of Spain. The Messerschmitt airframe also proved adaptable, with continual development ensuring that the Bf 109 remained the Luftwaffe's first-line fighter weapon (although it was undeniably surpassed by other German designs) for the entire duration of the Second World War.

Jumoschmitts in Plastic

Although modellers have a great selection of Messerschmitt Bf 109E, F, G and K kits to choose from, the situation has been fairly grim for fans of the early Jumo powered prototypes and early production models.

Hobbycraft's 1/48 scale kits are widely available and inexpensive, but they are seriously flawed in terms of accuracy, especially their Bf 109B model. Problems include too shallow and misplaced gun slots, incorrectly positioned carburettor intake scoop, inaccurate panel lines and cooling slots on the cowling, poorly shaped and poorly detailed radiator intake, very poor Schwartz propeller, short wing slats, undersized canopy (and one-piece too), cockpit configuration more typical of a later model and some 109E attributes on the fuselage.

Classic Airframes has now come to the rescue of 1/48 scale modellers with the first in their family of Jumo-powered Bf 109 kits. This premiere offering is labeled Bf 109 A, but this undersells the kit. In fact, you can build the Bf 109 V4, V5 or any early production machine with long leading edge slats.

For a detailed look at the contents of the box, click here to view my review of Classic Airframes' 1/48 scale Bf 109 A kit posted last week on HyperScale.

Parts Preparation

Careful preparation is the key to a successful and enjoyable project when building any limited-run kit. Although the surface quality and detail of Classic Airframes' smooth plastic parts are the equal of many of today's best mainstream manufacturers, absence of locating pins and the inclusion of resin parts means that clean-up and regular test-fitting is essential.

I started by preparing the resin parts. These are beautifully cast and superior to the detail moulded onto most conventional plastic kits. A razor saw was used to cut each resin part from its casting block. A few swipes with a sanding stick was enough to clean up after the parts were separated.

Extra care is required when removing the engine cowl and the Schwarz prop from their blocks. Make sure you cut very close to the casting block in both cases. The casting stubs on top of the wheel well parts must also be completely removed, and the top of the part reduced to wafer thinness.

Cockpit

Two sets of cockpit sidewalls are supplied. I chose the starboard sidewall without the map case and glued it to the fuselage interior before I realized that the oxygen bottle was not fitted to this part. I sliced the oxygen bottle from the alternate starboard sidewall using a sharp hobby knife and glued it into place.

Two seats are also included. I chose the separately bagged version, as detail was noticeably better. The photo-etched harness looked great when assembled and attached to the seat. Foot straps were cut from lead foil and glued to the rudder pedals.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Metal or Paint?

Close examination of reference photos from the Spanish Civil War reveals an ambiguous finish on the earliest Bf 109s. On the one hand, the finish often displays the distinct irregularity of tone and sheen consistent with a natural metal surface, but some angles suggest a flat puttied and painted airframe.

In his recent book, "Luftwaffe Camouflage and Markings 1933-1945 Volume One", Ken Merrick states that these early Legion Condor Bf 109s were sprayed in a thin protective finish which was tinted in a colour similar to RLM 02. The result was a translucent coat that clearly showed the irregularities of bare metal, but with a greenish tinge.

Even with this information available, however, I had a great deal of trouble trying to replicate the finish. I first tried to spray a thin coat of RLM 02 over a natural metal finish. The result just looked like regular RLM 02. Next, I tried to tint Alclad with Gunze acrylic RLM 02. Two drops in half a paint cup had no noticeable effect, while four drops converted the finish to something that just looked like chalky RLM 02. Three drops in half a paint cup of Alclad still did not really tint the colour, but it did take the high gloss edge off the shiny metallic paint. That would have to be close enough!

I started by spraying the entire model with Tamiya Grey Primer, straight from the can. The primer was buffed to a high gloss with Micro Mesh cloths.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

I assumed that fabric surfaces would be primed, so control surfaces were sprayed with Gunze RLM 02 Grey, except the rudder which received a coat of Flat White. These painted surfaces were then masked in preparation for the metallic finish.

Gunze-tinted Alclad was loaded into the paint cup of my Testor Aztek A470 airbrush and applied in an overall coat. The result was a perfectly blemish free, uniform metallic finish. In fact, the tinted Alclad seemed to be less temperamental than 100% Alclad. I usually get a few rough patches but had no such trouble this time.

Reference photos show that a number of panels that were consistently darker than the rest of the aircraft. These panels were masked and sprayed with Alclad Dark Aluminium. Other selected panels were masked and sprayed using Tamiya AS-12 Airframe Silver, decanted into a bottle. This is a suitably ambiguous shade which could represent either a weathered alloy or a silver painted finish.

Access and filler hatches were masked and sprayed with the same colour to add a little more variation to the finish.

The exhaust panels and radiator surrounds were masked and sprayed with Tamiya Flat Black. I then masked off the radiator and sprayed a 50/50 mix of Tamiya Flat Black and German Grey onto the exhaust panel at a downward angle. This reinforced the impression of the deep exhaust holes.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Three choices are offered for gear doors. I selected the photo-etched doors without the cut out at the rear corner. I also added brake lines to the front of the gear legs using fine wire from "Up North".

Wire was also used to fabricate hand holds in the top corners of the windscreen, and small scraps of plastic delivered a release handle to the inside of the canopy.

The sides of the tyres were dusted using Tamiya's new Weathering Pastels.

At this stage all the details were brought together and assembled to complete this attractive and well-detailed model.

After the model was completed, thanks to Lynn Ritger's eagle-eye, I also relocated my pitot tube from the bottom of the wing to the fuselage side!

Classic Airframes has delivered, without question, the best detailed and most accurate injection moulded Jumo-powered Bf 109 kit available in any scale.

Granted, this model needs a little more cleanup and preparation of parts than a long-run release from Tamiya or Hasegawa. Also, the lack of locating pins calls for extra care and dry-fitting. In other words, modelling skills are required. However, once the time has been spent cutting off casting blocks, installing the cockpit and thinning the wing in preparation for the wheel well, construction is very straightforward indeed.

Anyone who has already built a Classic Airframes kit should not have any trouble coming up with a great result straight from the box.

I had a lot of fun building this kit over a period of only five days, and I am very happy with the way the my early Bf 109 looks.

Well done Classic Airframes. Roll on with those late 109Bs, Cs and Ds!

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Model, Images & Text Copyright © 2006 by Brett Green
Page Created 20 January, 2006
Last Updated 24 December, 2007

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