Monogram 1/48 Messerschmitt Me 109E
Copyright 1962... This "Me 109" has to be one of the oldest kits on my shelf. Even the instructions show it's age, beginning with the title "Me 109 E", and then explaining that the "Me" was the popular name, and the actual name was Bf 109. The insructions also show: "scale:1/4" = 1, 1/48 size". It co mes with "operating landing gear", which I promptly did away with when I filled in the wheel wells. The interior consisted of a pilot figure and a "back plate" to glue him to. I replaced it it with a scratchbuilt interior, with opened canopy. All raised panel lines were sanded off and re-scribed.. The instructions were in 12 steps, with an additional "how to operate the landing gear", an exploded view showing all 25 parts. The back page is painting instructions, applying decals, and placement. They even threw in small photos of their Spitfire, Wildcat and Zero, to wet our appetites. 50+ years really make a difference in quality, but the "109" itself, lives on, in one form or another.
That looks really nicely done to update such an older kit. The kit is old, but did you recently build it? Or was it built a long time ago as well. By your description, with the "operating landing gear" and sparse cockpit, it seems they were walking the line between scale model and toy. No doubt about it now though since it looks like a really well made model
Joe ! I thought that you did not do pilots.
Because you have a good job there.
The plane looks excellent as well.
Some of the old old kits still have it when built with care and skill .
You have plenty there.
Joe,
I built this kit a long time ago and have some parts of it still sitting around someplace. But in no way did it look as good as yours. This is a great build and a testament to the old Monogram kits. Good looking pilot figure also.
Happy New Year.
Did an old kit justice here. If this is from the Monogram series I think it is you used a lot of sandpaper on those panel lines & rivets.
Thanks guys, I probably built this 30+ years ago. It was sort of an experiment about how far I could take this old $1.00 kit. Nowadays I would probably forgo the all work and buy a lot more expensive kit, that would hopefully turn out a lot better with a lot less effort. Would that be more fun? Would I learn as much, or improve my skills ? Form your own conclusions...
There doesn't seem to be much wrong with this, Joe, I'm particularly with the pilot figure, and the fact that it's survived all those years. As for having more or less fun, it depends on how you value your time...
Happy new year!
George, I believe I robbed the figure from a Monogram Me-262 kit. I wanted to give it a little size comparison. In retrospect, the landing gear looks a little long to me, too. It was a long time ago...
i can definitely see some shape issues...something i never notice but that is awesome to see built and a fine job to boot
I remember this particular kit very well as it was the first Messerschmitt that I built. Even back in the 1970s, I thought it was quite simplistic but, as far as I remember, it was the only Bf109E in 1/48 at that time. I remember there being only one decal option for Hans von Werra. Did you use aftermarket decals? Nice job, by the way.
Seamus, "aftermarket" would really be a stretch. Bits and pieces, is more like it ! Back in those days, I'd find a scheme I liked and tried to get as close to it as possible. This one was probably off the back cover of "Messerschmidt in Action, part one". Close, but no cigar !
Nice clean build, Joe, as always. For an older kit you made it appear as a "classic".
Very nice Joe...Lately I have dabbled in the WWII aircraft and still learning the history of these these warbirds. I had the honor to meet Gunther Rall at "The Gathering of Eagles" in San Diego about 10 years ago or a little more. He was very popular at the event.
One I built in the 60s.