Revell Messerschmitt Bf109F-2 - 1:72

[Paul A H]

Messerschmitt Bf109F-2

1:72 Revell

 

 

The Messerschmitt BF 109 was certainly the most numerous, and probably the best known of all the aircraft used by the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. Almost 34,000 examples were produced between 1937 and 1945, and the type saw active service in every theatre in which German armed forces were engaged. Powered initially by the relatively low powered Junkers Jumo engine and later by various iterations of the more powerful Daimler Benz DB600 series of inverted V-12 engines, the later variants of the BF 109 could achieve speeds of up to 400 mph. In comparison with the E, or ‘Emil’, the F or 'Friedrich' featured a more powerful version of the DB601 engine, as well as a host of aerodynamic improvements such as a more rounded cowling, enlarged spinner, smaller, lightweight propellor and redesigned supercharger intake. The F2 was armed with 1 × 15mm MG 151 cannon and 2 × 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns. 

 

Eagle eyed readers will no doubt have already spotted that this is the Zvezda kit of 2012, which was marketed as a snap-fit kit by the Russian firm. Revell make no mention of this in their instructions, instead suggesting that conventional polystyrene cement should be used to fix the parts together. Builders would do well to note the origins of the kit, however, as snap-fit models are not so forgiving when it comes to test fitting the parts together! The parts are cleanly moulded and surface details is fine and crisp. As you might expect, the part count is fairly low, but not as low as one of Hobbyboss's easy build kits. 

 

 

 

Assembly begins with the wings. The upper wings are moulded as one part, with the floor of the cockpit moulded in place between the upper wing surfaces. The landing gear wheel wells feature basic structural detail. The cockpit is surprisingly well-detailed for a kit of this type, with a control column, rudder pedals (moulded in place) and various other controls moulded separately. The instrument panel is moulded in two parts, while the rear bulkhead/pilot's seat is moulded in three parts. Unusually for a modern kit, a pilot is included. He is moulded in three parts and is rather nicely detailed. 

 

With the cockpit and wing finished, attention turns to the fuselage. The supercharger intake and the machine gun fairings are separate parts, which adds to the overall level of detail. The rudder is moulded in place with the port side of the fuselage, while the elevators are solid parts. The propellor is moulded as one part, with a conventional three-part spinner. You won't need to drill out the hole for the 15mm cannon as a rather delicate hole aleady exists. The landing gear is pretty good for the scale, and alternative parts are provided should you wish to build your model in wheels up configuration. The canopy is moulded as a single part, but is otherwise ok. 

My only real grumble with the kit is the lack of decal options. Just one scheme is catered for on the decal sheet; Bf109 F-2 Stab.II/JG53, Grupperkommander Hptm. H. Brenutz, St. Omer-Arques, May 1941. The decals themselves are nicely printed but include only basic markings.

 

 

Conclusion

 

This isn't the latest, greatest kit and nor does it pretend to be. What it is, is simple, easy to build and reasonably detailed. It is also good value and perfect for younger modellers or those on a tight budget (or with ambitions to build a lot of F-2s!).

 

Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit

 

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[AaCee26]

Hi Paul,

 

I may share some experience after completing one and beeing in half way of building another?

 

In fact this is my choice of kit of the F to the early G as more accurate then the AZ/KP and FineMolds kits. Also detailing level is quite high. On the other side of the coin the air intake, only the short one, is solid (easy to open) and there are sink mark on the both surfaces of the wing (a couple of layers of Mr. Surfacer or sthg similar will clear most of it).

 

For better fitting it is best to remove the lugs at least for the fuselge-wing joint. There has been different opinions if the canopy fits well enough or would there be need for some shimming between the fuselage halfs which would also help with the fuselage side-wing root seam. Filing inside of the fin would help fitting the fin sides nicely. Aileron balances are missing but available from other sources.

 

Ar intake and shallow deep oir cooler are both a mixture of features of the early and late F. In these departmens FineMolds gives more alternatives. I don't have AZ/KP F so I can't compare it tothis, but based on ther G-6s I would expect the same. KIt wheel wells are the angular variety.

 

All in all, I would say this as a great kit for beginners and also a solid base for more seasoned modelers especially with a well-stocked spares box. There are other alternatives which have their own strengts and weaknesses,

 

Cheers,

 

AaCee

Edited September 19, 2021 by AaCee26
Corrected information about oil cooler, typo