61063 Bf109E-7B/Trop, 7/ZG1, Libya 1942

[2996 Victor]

Hi All,

 

here's my first new build of this GB, Tamiya's Messerschmitt Bf109E-4/7 Trop. Although I do like the in-box North African camouflage scheme, I'm drawn to well-known and oft-modelled Bf 109E-7B/Trop: S9+DR, W.Nr. 4964, of 7/ZG1 - the one with the replacement splinter pattern starboard wing. Images of W.Nr.4964 can be found on here on Asisbiz, along with quite a few of her brethren. There are also any number of model builds that can be found with 'net searches.

 

This will be the first time I've built this kit, and first impressions are excellent. The cockpit detail is perhaps a little sparse and the sidewalls do look a bit "flat", but the external surface detail is lovely. The only issues I've seen so far are some small sink marks in the upper wing surfaces near the trailing edges.

 

Obligatory box and contents pics:

 

 

 

 

I'm planning to use this Montex mask set for the markings, rather than the Iliad Design decal set which also includes markings for S9+DR.

 

As for the cockpit, on my Dora Wings Bf109B Condor Legion build I've used SBS Models' resin Bf109E set which is, quite frankly, superb. As the SBS set is made for this kit, it seems rude not to include it in this build, too. This is my effort with this set in the Dora Wings B:

 

 

It's still a work in progress (oh no, not another one!).

 

I'll just need to place an order for the Montex and SBS sets, and then I'm good to go!

 

Cheers for now,

Mark

[Col.]

Your work in the Dora Wings kits shows we're in for a treat watching your progress on this Tamiya kit

[2996 Victor]

26 minutes ago, Col. said:

Your work in the Dora Wings kits shows we're in for a treat watching your progress on this Tamiya kit

I'm hoping the Tamiya kit will be a bit easier than the Dora one!

[stevej60]

Excellent choice Mark the Tamiya 109's fall together so you should have no drama's!

[Col.]

1 hour ago, 2996 Victor said:

I'm hoping the Tamiya kit will be a bit easier than the Dora one!

I'm willing to put money on that

[modelling minion]

A fine choice Mark, this is a great kit and will look fantastic in the scheme you have chosen for her. 

[2996 Victor]

3 minutes ago, modelling minion said:

A fine choice Mark, this is a great kit and will look fantastic in the scheme you have chosen for her. 

Many thanks - I'm rather looking forward to it! Although it's quite a popular subject, the overall scheme is an interesting one and hopefully not too difficult to do!

 

Cheers,

Mark

[modelling minion]

It is an interesting scheme, the mix of camouflage is a great combination. 

[2996 Victor]

Well, I've ordered the SBS cockpit set and the Montex mask set, and also some Eduard 3d-printed rudder pedals, although I'm now not too sure why together with an Eduard tailplane/elevator set so that I can pose the elevators deflected, hopefully anyway, as the latter are meant for Eduard's own kit!

 

Looking at the pics on Asisbiz, there are a number of E-7Bs of 7/ZG1 which would also make great subjects, and I'm wondering whether to stick with S9+DR or go for an alternative without the replacement splinter pattern wing, maybe 'A' or 'I'. Having said that, 'D' would fit in with my themed build of aeroplanes reconstructed from wrecks and ruins. At least it's not a decision that needs taking any time soon

 

Cheers for now,

Mark

[Franz75]

@2996 Victor Isn't the cockpit interior supposed to be painted with RLM 02? Nice paint job, steady hand. Old Tamyia is still cutting the mustard.   

[2996 Victor]

1 minute ago, Franz75 said:

@2996 Victor Isn't the cockpit interior supposed to be painted with RLM 02? Nice paint job, steady hand. Old Tamyia is still cutting the mustard.   

That was my mix of 02  I found the recipe somewhere online! It looks better in reality than in those pics. I read somewhere on BM recently that by the time of the E-7 cockpits were most likely painted 66, so that's what I'll be aiming for.

 

Cheers,

Mark

[mick]

great progress

[Col.]

7 hours ago, 2996 Victor said:

Looking at the pics on Asisbiz, there are a number of E-7Bs of 7/ZG1 which would also make great subjects, and I'm wondering whether to stick with S9+DR or go for an alternative without the replacement splinter pattern wing, maybe 'A' or 'I'. Having said that, 'D' would fit in with my themed build of aeroplanes reconstructed from wrecks and ruins.

You clearly need more kits to avoid the agony of choice and allow yourself to properly develop this theme

[2996 Victor]

1 hour ago, Col. said:

You clearly need more kits to avoid the agony of choice and allow yourself to properly develop this theme

Nail hit squarely on head!

 

[2996 Victor]

The SBS cockpit set and the Montex masks are safely on their way from Lowestoft, along with some Eduard rudder pedals.

 

I'm a bit tempted by some of Ultracast's items, but unfortunately they're closed until late September. So we'll see what transpires on that front.

 

Cheers,

Mark

[Mjwomack]

On 29/08/2025 at 18:43, Col. said:

my themed build of aeroplanes reconstructed from wrecks and ruins.

 

Whereas all my builds have the theme of being done by a wrecked ruin😱

[2996 Victor]

38 minutes ago, Mjwomack said:

Whereas all my builds have the theme of being done by a wrecked ruin😱

I'm sure that's not the case, Michael!

 

Cheers,

Mark

[81-er]

I've just build this one for the recent Blitzbuild and it goes together really nicely

 

I found the amount of detail in the cockpit was fine from the kit, as very little can be seen even with the canopy open. That's not me saying you shouldn't add more if you want to, just it isn't essential

 

James

 

[2996 Victor]

18 minutes ago, 81-er said:

I've just build this one for the recent Blitzbuild and it goes together really nicely

I found the amount of detail in the cockpit was fine from the kit, as very little can be seen even with the canopy open. That's not me saying you shouldn't add more if you want to, just it isn't essential

 

James

 

Thanks, James, that's interesting - maybe I'll revisit that idea and perhaps dress up the kit interior a bit. Just had a look through your Blitzbuild - very impressive build and finish, if I may say so!

 

Cheers,

Mark

[81-er]

Thanks Mark  I'll do an RFI for it at some point, once I've added the exhaust staining. Which I realised I'd forgotten while I was tucked up in bed at midnight, as you do

 

James

[2996 Victor]

On 29/08/2025 at 18:43, Col. said:

You clearly need more kits to avoid the agony of choice and allow yourself to properly develop this theme

 

 

What was that you were saying, @Col.?

[Col.]

49 minutes ago, 2996 Victor said:

 

 

What was that you were saying, @Col.?

This is the Good And Proper Way to approach a Group Build and will, I'm sure, meet the approval of our great and glorious leader @Enzo the Magnificent

[81-er]

Good work, Mark

 

James

[2996 Victor]

Progress! Cockpit done and ready to zip up the fuselage  

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, I elected to stick with the kit interior rather than the SBS set, which I'll save for another day. James @81-er is absolutely right - the kit detail is pretty darned good and really doesn't need upgrading, certainly not for a closed canopy build. The only extras are the etched seat belts, which came from Dora Wings' Bf109B kit: they've served only to confirm my antipathy towards PE! I chose to not use the kit's instrument panel decal and hand paint instead - the colours are a bit spurious but it'll be hard to see when its all closed up.

 

The tub has been attached to the starboard fuselage side and is hardening. I need to add the fairly prominent fuel line to the starboard sidewall, after which I can close up the fuselage. 

 

Cheers for now,

Mark

[modelling minion]

Nice work on the cockpit Mark, it looks really good.