INCOMING - 2012 AIRFIX CLUB MESSERSCHMITT Bf 109 IN UNUSUAL MARKINGS

SMN report:

It’s time for the annual kit release made especially for members of the worldwide Airfix Club. Each year’s kit is an exclusive release, so if you want one, then joining the Club is the way to go. The 2012 kit is a fascinating one - it’s based on the Airfix 1:48 scale Messerchmitt Bf 109E, and the ‘exclusive’ part is the supplied decal set that provides markings for two extremely interesting aircraft.

Captured Messerschmitt

The first scheme (above) represents an Bf 109 captured by the French early in World War II. The aircraft was flown to Britain, where it was used in the RAF air fighting development unit to help train pilots in combat techniques against Luftwaffe aircraft.

Tested by Japanese forces

The second decal scheme is perhaps even more interesting, as it depicts a Messerschmitt Bf 109E-7 in Japanese markings, one of five sent to Japan for evaluation in 1941. The aircraft were used for evaluation with possible licence production in mind, but Japanese pilots found the Bf 109 to have a short range, and lacking the nimble manoeuvrability of aircraft such as the Mitsubishi Zero.

Unique kit

The 1:48 scale Airfix Bf 109 kit itself is a good one even if it doesn’t break any records. But these markings are not matched elsewhere, so if you also fancy the other benefits in the Club package then joining up is pretty much a no-brainer. What do Airfix Club members receive? The list is pretty good actually, and here it is -

• Exclusive Club Edition kit

• Flying Hours Passport

• Enamel Airfix Club badge

• First look at the new Airfix catalogue before general publication.

• Club Membership card

• Quarterly Airfix Club Magazine

• Exclusive special Club Kits available to Club members.

• Discounts at selected retailers and on the Airfix website

• Discounted magazine subscriptions

Choice of delivery

There are two ways to get that lot - download or hardcopy in the post. Which is to say the download version sends you the Quarterly mag and Catalogue via email and you save a bunch this way. UK prices are £16.99 for download, £24.99 for hardcopy. Outside the UK, the choice is download only - mind you, the kit and badge are ‘real’ so they still come in the post!

What's in the quarterly mag?

Airfix Club Magazine is published four times a year and has the sort of content you might expect -

• Latest Airfix news and kits

• Features on kits and the real thing

• Great competitions

• Model builds, with tips and step-by-step guide

• Club News

• Diary Dates

Visit the Airfix Club here.

More Airfix kits here. The catalogue (below) is nicely designed, and is packed with interesting stuff.

MESSERSCHMITT Bf109E TO 1:48 SCALE

 
SMN report
Talking of the Battle of Britain (see Monday’s post), it’s worth a closer look at another recent Airfix product: the 1:48 scale Bf109E, the popular ‘Emil’ version of this most-produced fighter of World War II. The biggish scale is one of our favourites here at SMN - 1:48 is large enough for detail aplenty, and for crew figures to look convincing - yet it’s still a shelf-top size for popular subjects like single-seater fighters.

Official Luftwaffe picture
This Airfix version offers three types of ‘E’, the E1, E3 and E4, and 107 components go into assembling the model, which includes an extremely convincing Jumo engine and mounting. As you can see from the official Luftwaffe picture above, taken the year before the Battle of Britain, Airfix have the look of Willy Messerchmitt’s design just about right.

Computer animated video
The video btw is a cgi effort. It lasts less than a minute but is a heap of fun, expecially towards the end when you get to see an animated parts breakdown. Do give it a look, and top marks to Airfix for going the extra mile to produce an item like this.

Neat details
Back to the model, and as you can see, the engine cover is removable, the canopy opens wide to reveal a nicely-sculpted pilot figure and detailed cockpit and - nicest touch of all - all the control surfaces are positionable: leading-edge slats, flaps, ailerons, elevators and rudder deploy to give the fighter a realistic look.

All in all, though there are many Bf109 kits out there, in bigger and smaller scales, this one is well worth considering. And for 1:48 scale fans, it's an addition to the 'must build soon' list.
    
Visit Airfix here.

The pictures show, top to bottom:
1, 2  Airfix 1:48 scale Messerschmitt Bf109E.
3  A parked Bf109E with crew, and a Junkers Ju 52/3m transport behind. The photo was taken in 1939.
4  Airfix Bf109E box art.