The best 1/32 Scale BF109?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
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OK all you review experts out there, I am looking for advice on the best 1/32 scale BF109 to purchase.

I am back to modeling after a long layover, about 5 years, and even then I had only been back modeling for a couple of years after probably a 20 year hiatus. I started modeling with my Dad back in the UK on 1/72 scale Aifix and Frog kits with lots of raised panel lines and rivets!

I am in the process of finising Hasegawa’s Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8, which I have enjoyed, apart from the fact that I purchased the ‘Big Ed’ super detail set with it. What a disaster. Minute photo etch is certainly NOT for me. Looking back at the plastic parts the etch replaced I would have had a nice representative model, without all the fiddly work, and just concentrated on a really good paint job.

My goal is to initially build up a collection of the main Luftwaffe aircraft, starting at WW11, and going through to the Tornado and new Typhoon. I am not looking at this stage to build all the ‘marks’, or even attempt that, just one of each, i.e. an Emil, a 190, Stuka, ME 262 etc.

So, looking for a BF109, I want to build ‘out of the box’, without going overboard on super detailing, just a nice model with a good paint job.

I have been following the threads here and on the rest of the web re the pros and cons of the Trumpeter, Dragon, Eduard and older Hasegawa kit.

So, the question is, which BF109 kit out of the above represents the best value for money (price is not really an issue because I get months of build time out of a kit!), which kit is the one that will be the most accurate overall and most importantly, which 1/32 scale BF109 have you all enjoyed building the most?

Look forward to your replies and your help! Cheers, Ian

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A member here “Doogs” built a beautiful 1/32 Eduard 109-E7 Trop. He has a link to his blog page in his signature, check it out.

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Thanks Reasoned, I’ll take a look, anybody else have a favourite?

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Hey Ian - saw your comment on my blog as I was about to head out to the bench - thanks for stopping by!

The Eduard 109 is a very solid effort, you certainly won’t be sorry if you go that way, but it does have a few small issues. I think the cockpit’s a bit spartan, even with PE. The upper cowl fit is atrocious (or was on mine), so consider building it opened up to show off the engine. Also, the landing gear is a bit fiddly to locate properly thanks to what seems like Eduard’s aversion to providing solid and positive fit. Also…there is PE, but most of it consists of things like the instrument panel and radiator mesh.

I haven’t built it yet, but I have Cyber-Hobby’s (Dragon) new 109E-4 in the stash and it is drop-dead gorgeous. Can’t really offer any insight on how well it goes together, but detail-wise, and I think build-up wise, it has the edge on the Eduard. And the vast majority of the detail is injection molded.

If I were to pick just one, personally I’d probably opt to try the Cyber-Hobby. That and it’s cheaper than the Eduard too. But as yet they’ve only got the E-4.

Here’s a quick comparison pic of the drop tanks included in each kit (Eduard is beige)

And here’s the armament:

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For a 109G, Hasegawa; for a 109K, RevellGermany, Hasegawa; 109E, there are lots of great choices to be had today- Eduard, Dragon, and Trumpeter are all new quality kits; 109F, Hasegawa.

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1/32 Revell Bf 109G-4, about 38.00 bucks U.S… My understanding is that it’s a re-box of a Hasegawa kit… Dunno for sure though, never built anything labeled Hasegawa…

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Doogs, thanks for that and the comparison photo’s. I had heard that the Eduard kit was a bit fiddly, and had almost decided on the Trumpeter, but I think I am going to go with the Dragon! Cheers, Ian

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Thanks for your replies up to now guys, has anybody built the Dragon kit?

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It literally just came out around the end of January…all I’ve seen so far are in-the-box reviews.

After I finish my Mossie, I’ve got two more builds locked in (Sopwith Pup and a PBJ-1). After that, I may well tackle the Dragon E-4. Especially if I haven’t seen any build logs of the thing emerge before then.

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Can’t wait to see it Doogs, I’ll keep my eyes on your blog! Looking forward to seeing the Mossie, looks like you have a pretty disciplined routine going there!

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Here’s an excellent article comparing the various 32nd scale 109E’s that have been released to date.

http://www.largescaleplanes.com/articles/WW2/raypeterson/me109pt1/me109pt1.php

I have to say I was surprised to see how well the old Matchbox kit stands up to it’s more recent siblings.

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Thanks for the excellent reference coogrfan.

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Have to admit, I’m not a big fan of “accuracy” roundups. Every one of those 109Es looks like a 109E, and built up, no one’s ever going to look at it and say “the rudder is 1mm too long”. I’m much more interested in 1) the details and 2) how each kit builds up. Shoddy wheels or a spartan cockpit will stand out way more, IMO.

Looking forward to part 2 of that comparison, though!

Also, the same guy did an in-box review of the Cyber-Hobby 109, with tons of detail pics:

http://www.largescaleplanes.com/reviews/cyberhobby/dml109e/dml109e.php

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FWIW, I’m currently on 109 kick, so this question is well-timed… this is what i’ve found out in my rash pursuit of a full collection-

Eduard E-7, as Doogs said, has iffy fit and somewhat spartan interior. Nice details. I haven’t gotten to the cowling yet…

Trumpeter F-4- I had some engine cowling issues, pose it opened up to show off the engine. Great otherwise. Vinyl tires!

Dragon E-4- great detail, great fit (so far, in the office) as is usual of current DML kits. Lots of DML fiddly bits and the confusing instructions. I’ve already tweezerpulted two IP knobs (recovered!). Probably the best decals of the lot.

Hasegawa F-4 Trop- basic detail, absolutely the best fit that I’ve seen yet, only marking for Marseille’s aircraft in Afrika.

Of these four, I’d recommend either the DML or the Trumpy to start with and then follow up with the others. Really, you can’t go wrong with any listed and you have a wide choice of markings from the selections mentioned.

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Thats a superb article coogrfan, thanks for posting that. The power of the internet!

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This guy certainly goes to town with the scope of his reviews, very detailed. Well, it looks like the Cyber Hobby kit it is. I’ll get to ordering that right now and let you all know how it goes. Maybe I’ll do a build review as I go along.

That will make it interesting and make sure I do a good job!

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hasegawa 109F-4

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In my not-so-humble opinion, the current CyberHobby E-4 and the Trumpeter F-4 and G-6 are vastly superior kits to the Hasegawa offerings… they really are that good.

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The second part of this article:

http://www.largescaleplanes.com/articles/WW2/raypeterson/me109pt2/bf109ept2.php

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i love the hase F4 but i would agree with trumps kit. if you want open cowling to show off the engine then the trump is definitely the winner.

i have trumps G-6 and it’s cheaper then hase 32nd F-4.