Messerschmitt Bf 109 K-4

Kotare Models, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Background

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 K-4 was the last design of this famous marque to see service with the Luftwaffe. One of the main objectives of the Bf 109 K-4 was to improve performance and standardise the disparate design for more streamlined production, which had been sadly lacking in the bewildering combinations of the Bf 109 G series.

Unlike other Bf 109 G variants, the Bf 109 K was not recycled from old airframes, but was purpose built as a standardised high performance fighter.

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Improvements included fitting the reworked 1,775 horsepower Daimler Benz DB 605 D which required a significantly recontoured nose, deeper oil cooler and housing, wider main wheels to improve stability taking off, landing and on the ground, a newly designed fin and rudder to compensate for the more the greater power of the type, clamshell outer main undercarriage doors and retractable tail wheel to reduce drag, and a number of metal components being replaced with wood.

Bf 109 K-4 commenced production in November 1944, the last leaving the production lines in April 1945.

Around 1,400 were delivered to Luftwaffe units by war’s end.

Kurfust in 1/32 scale

Messerschmitt Bf 109 K-4 kits in 1:32 scale have been relatively few and far between. Trumpeter's deeply flawed offering was released a decade ago in 2015. Hasegawa's 1:32 Kurfurst (less flawed, but not perfect) hit the streets in 2003, more than 20 years ago.

Let's see what Kotare has in store for us.

Kotare Models is the brainchild of modeller, veterinary specialist and owner of the fabulous Modelair hobby shop in Auckland New Zealand, Mark Robson.

Mark has put together a team with some names that will be familiar to Wingnut Wings fans including General Manager - Richard Alexander, Product Designer - Darren Mildenhall, Decal Artist - Malcolm Laird, Profile Artist – Ronny Bar and more.

The next all-new release for this new venture will be this 1:32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 K-4. It is due for release in the second quarter of 2025.

I was fortunate to be provided with a set of test shot sprues of the kit. I won't offer a full review until the production issue of the kit, but in the meantime I can show you the test shots and share some initial observations. There may be some changes between what we see here and the production kit but I am sure you will agree that the sprues are very impressive.

Kotare's all-new 1:32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 K-4 comprises 111 parts in grey coloured plastic, 12 parts in clear plastic, three marking options and a 40 page A4-sized instruction book.

First, let’s talk about the number of parts. In today’s era of uber-kits, manufacturers seem to be in a race to the highest number of parts possible. This is especially true of military kits but we have seen the parts count of aircraft kits rising too.

Kotare is bucking this trend with a very modest 111 grey plastic parts. They have managed this feat without compromising detail. Kotare has moulded much of the detail as single parts. Looking at the cockpit sidewalls for example, Kotare delivers remarkable detail with a minimum number of parts.

The kit is replete with similar examples – why design a seven-piece sub-assembly when you can mould it as one part? This seems to be the Kotare philosophy.

I think this approach will appeal to many modellers who would like to build a beautifully detailed kit but feel intimidated by the daunting parts count of many recent releases.

It also points to Kotare's offerings as kits to build, not to sit on the shelf.

The fuselage is broken down as two full-length sides. The gun cowl and the pilot’s rear stowage bin are separate parts. The fin is separate too.

Optional parts are supplied for early and late versions of the K-4. These include alternative instrument panels, horizontal stabilisers (wood or metal), rudder and antenna masts. Parts are also supplied for open or closed tail wheel doors.

Surface textures are subtle. For the most part it is crisply recessed panel lines. These are subtly supplemented with a combination of selective recessed fasteners and raised rivets to deliver an authentic effect overall.

Fabric effect on control surfaces is once again restrained and convincing.

The small intake scoops on the engine cowling are hollowed out.

The exhaust stacks are hollowed out too.

Fasteners are also present around the cowling. Some of these are recessed behind rectangular openings, creating a 3d effect.

The cockpit is a work of art. The whole thing is made up from only 17 pieces, I have already mentioned the sidewalls, but the seat with its optional plastic harness moulded to the seat pan and the instrument panel are also worthy of special note.

The instrument panel is a single solid plastic part with dial, bezel and switch detail moulded crisply in place. Decals will be supplied for the dial detail in single and multiples.

The revised cockpit floor, breech cover and starboard sidewall accurately depict the unique features of the Bf 109 K-4.

The rudder pedals are separate parts but toe straps are not supplied.

Wings are broken down conventionally with full-span lower and separate port and starboard upper wing parts.

The outer undercarriage walls double as an effective wing spar. Kotare has also added clever tabs and slots to ensure a gap-free join at the wing root.

Kotare has moulded some of the outer lower wing panels slightly proud from the rest of the surface. This represents thicker metal skin that was used for additional strength.

The wheel well wells feature accurate structural detail including the concave ceiling.

The control surfaces are noteworthy too. Most Bf 109 models’ flaps and slats suffer from fragile attachment points. I have lost count of the number of times that I have broken off delicate radiator flaps on my models. Kotare has cleverly built in tabs and slots on the flaps that on the one hand are robust but also retain the fine detail of the real thing. The tabs also set the correct angle for the dropped flaps

The slats and radiator flaps also boast a unique method of attachment, with alternative parts supplied for dropped or raised positions, once again setting the correct deployed angle.

The main wheels are bulged and flattened and keyed to make sure the flat spot sits on the ground.

The undercarriage legs are moulded as a single part each with oleo scissors and coiled hydraulic lines.

The kit supplies short and long strut tail wheel assemblies. The larger wheel for the long strut has a diagonal keyed cut-out that will ensure that the tail wheel on the finished model is flat on the ground.

The short tail wheel is moulded with the canvas boot in place.

Clear parts are thin and free from distortion.

The canopy offers the choice of a single part if posed closed, or with separate windscreen, and sliding section for the open canopy option.

Galland Panzer head armour, windscreen armoured glass, Morane mast isolator, wing tip navigation lights and a gunsight are also supplied as clear parts too.

Instructions and Markings

The instructions are as much an education as they are assembly directions. There are many detail notes as well as helpfully captioned reference photos and illustrations throughout.

The 40 page full-colour A-4 book offers assembly instructions, four view colour illustrations for the three marking option plus reference photos and notes for each of the three marking options, stencil diagram and additional reference.

I haven't received the decal sheet yet but it would appear to include stencils and instrument panel decals.

Another Bf 109? Yes please!

Bf 109 K-4 kits in 1:32 scale have been relatively few and far between. Trumpeter's deeply flawed offering was released a decade ago in 2015. Hasegawa's 1:32 Kurfurst (less flawed, but still not perfect) hit the streets in 2003, more than 20 years ago.

This ultimate Bf 109 variant deserves to benefit from the latest technology and access to emerging research.

Kotare Models has again found the Goldilocks recipe – detail and buildability are just right. Its relatively modest parts count does not compromise detail at all.

Looking at the test shot sprues, it would appear that everything you need to model a beautifully detailed Bf 109 K-4 is right here in the box.

This is another superb 1:32 scale offering from Kotare.

We'll pass on any details that come to hand leading up to release.

Thanks to Kotare Models for the sample

Text and Images Copyright © 2025 by Brett Green
Page Created 24 May, 2025
Last updated 28 May, 2025

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