Messerschmitt
Me 109

Part 1

1/32 scale

Lifelike Decals

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Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner

This second release from Lifelike in this scale, and it is devoted to the Messerschmitt Bf 109.

It is based on their earlier 1/72 and 1/48 scale sheets and provides four subjects for the larger scale modeller.

The quality of the printing is first class with each of the two sheets being in perfect register. Where necessary, some items with more than one colour are printed separately. The two decals can then be easily overlaid and any registration problems are in the hands of the modeller.

The carrier film is extremely thin and the printed colours look to have good density. 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

A complete set of data is included for the type of 109 you choose to model and the location of these items is clearly shown on a separate instruction sheet. These are tailored for the Me 109E, F and G models.

The four subjects on this sheet are:

1. Me109 E-1 flown by Feldwebel Hans Troitzsch, 6/JG77, December 1939.

“Yellow 5” was camouflaged in RLM 71/02/65 and can be seen with several red patches on the tail section. Another photo shows further evidence of bullet holes on the fuselage so Lifelike have provided the modeller with additional red patches as markers for these.

2. Me109 F-4 flown by Hptm. Helmut Mertens, 1/JG3, July 1942.

This aircraft was tagged as “White 111” and carried the standard RLM 74/75/76 of the period. As with the other subjects carrying kills tallies on the rudder, an extra set is provided for the opposite side should the modeller wish to apply them.

3. Me109 G-2 flown by Hptm. Wolfdieter Huy, 1/JG77, October 1942.

An unusual aircraft in that “white 1” has what is reported to be a field applied application of two dark greens over its original RLM 74/75/76. The manufacturers give their assessment of these which are different to the standard RLM 70/71 colours.

4. Me109 G-6 flown by Hptm. Karl Rammelt, II/JG51, December 1943

This decoratively marked machine is said to be finished in RLM 74/75/76. The spiked club personal emblem that appears below the cockpit was mysteriously painted on overnight without the knowledge of the pilot, who was the Kommandeur!  

References are provided on the instructions so if don’t like the interpretation of an aircraft, you can look it up for yourself. This is an excellent idea as controversy is never far away when it comes to the camouflage and markings of Luftwaffe aircraft.

This is another well produced product from Lifelike Decals. 

The popularity of 1:32 scale is increasing with many kit manufacturers now coming to the party. Putting markings on your subject that are different from these boxed items is what many modellers crave. Lifelike have satisfied this demand with this latest release. 

The subjects are varied and interesting with something to please every Luftwaffe fan. 

Highly Recommended

Thanks to Keishiro Nagao of Lifelike Decals for the review sample.

Lifelike Decals are available by email at lifelike@eos.ocn.ne.jp or from

2-8-7-202, Kameari, Katsushika, Tokyo 125-0061, Japan
fax: +81-3-5680-6733