E-Z Build Bf 109 F

Accurate Miniatures, 1/100 scale

Reviewed by Brett & Sebastian Green

Accurate Miniatures' 1/100 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 F is available online from Squadron.com

Accurate Miniatures has recently launched the 1/100 scale E-Z Build series, a new line of kits aimed squarely at younger and beginner modellers, .

Kit No. 1005 in the E-Z Build series is the Messerschmitt Bf 109 F. A Bf 109 F/Trop is also available. In fact, a Trop is illustrated on the box top, but the kit inside is finished in European mid-war grey camouflage.

In common with conventional model kits, the 18 plastic parts are attached to two sprues. The unique aspect of this kit is that all the parts are pre-painted and have markings already in place.

Detail on the kit is petite for such a small scale. Panel lines are recessed and acceptably fine. Smaller parts include drop tanks, separate supercharger intake, undercarriage and even an in-scale aerial mast.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Cockpit detail is limited to a floor with a seat on the bottom. Even so, nobody is likely to discover the absence of an instrument panel and control column, especially if the supplied pilot is installed under the heavily framed canopy.

A single clear part is also included. The canopy frames are crisply painted, eliminating many modellers' most loathed chore.

The set is rounded out with a black plastic base and self-adhesive name plate.

The paint job on the model is smooth and flat, with vibrant opaque yellow theatre markings and mottled fuselage sides. Camouflage colours look accurate for RLM 74, 75 and 76. Markings are very well done. They appear to be sprayed, as there is no suggestion of carrier film.

Construction Notes

After building Accurate Miniatures' P-51D Mustang last week, my seven year old Sebastian was keen to start work on this new model.

Once again, Sebastian removed the pieces using a sprue cutter. He was much more confident with the technique this time, and the results showed it.

We employed the same technique as for the Mustang. For the sake of speed, we used super glue to assemble the parts. First, the pilot was glued into the cockpit using super glue applied with the end of a toothpick. The cockpit "tub" was secured to one sidewall and I test fitted the fuselage halves. It felt tight, so I handed the parts over to Sebastian who squeezed them closed without the need for glue. The fit was very good.

The wings were next. I applied super glue to the leading edges and the locating holes, and Sebastian pressed them into place. Once again, a nice fit and no major visible seams.

Sebastian now assembled the drop tank and glued the one-piece propeller assembly to the nose.

I finished the kit off, first installing the drop tank, then the undercarriage legs into their small and tight locating holes.

The canopy and antenna mast completed the job. Total time spent on this enjoyable joint project was less than an hour.

This little model certainly captures the stance and sleek profile of the famous Messerschmitt Bf 109 F.

Here is Accurate Miniatures 1/100 scale kit displayed next to 21st Century Toys' 1/32 scale offering.

Accurate Miniatures' 1/100 scale E-Z Build Messerschmitt Bf 109 F is nicely detailed, impressively finished and a fast build.

I would suggest that young modellers from the age of ten and up should be capable of building this kit entirely by themselves. Of course, the use of sharp tools such as sprue cutters and scalpels should be clearly demonstrated and responsibly supervised.

For younger children, these models will represent an ideal joint project with a parent.

More experienced modellers may also wish to build these kits for display, or even as an aid to forced perspective in model photography.

Sebastian and I have built a couple of 1/72 scale Hobby Boss kits together over the last year. Sebastian's analysis was that the Accurate Miniatures kits are "a bit more challenging" (his own words) due to the smaller parts. Even so, the result is a surprisingly authentic replica straight from the box.

Sebastian is already prowling the hobby shop aisles looking for more of these great little kits. "I want to do the Trop next Dad".

That's my boy!

Recommended.

Thanks to Accurate Miniatures for the review sample.

Accurate Miniatures kits are available worldwide through hobby retailers and from Squadron.com

Review and Images Copyright © 2007 by Brett Green
Page Created 03 July, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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