Early Night Fighters
Messerschmitt Bf 109 D

Art Scale Kit, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Bf 109 D, often overshadowed by the later “Emil” and “Gustav” variants, played a quiet but significant role in the Luftwaffe’s early night-fighting efforts. Introduced in 1938 as a refined development of the Bf 109 C, the D-series retained the Junkers Jumo 210D engine, offering modest improvements in reliability and performance over its predecessor. Its narrow-chord wings and clean lines made it an agile, responsive platform for early Luftwaffe operations.

Although designed as a day fighter, the Bf 109 D was pressed into night operations during the winter of 1939–40, when the Luftwaffe faced the growing challenge of RAF night raids over Germany. Adaptations for nocturnal duties were minimal: pilots experimented with upward-firing MG FF cannon in a Schräge Musik configuration in rare cases, though most aircraft relied on their standard armament of two MG 17 machine guns and one MG FF/M cannon. Endurance and cockpit illumination were limiting factors, but the 109 D’s climb rate and nimbleness allowed daring interception tactics on visual or moonlit nights.

Operationally, Bf 109 D night fighters were deployed mainly over Germany’s industrial heartlands, along approaches to Berlin and the Ruhr. Losses were high, but lessons learned in these early nocturnal operations informed later Luftwaffe night-fighter doctrine and aircraft development.

By mid-1940, most night-fighter duties had transitioned to the heavier, radar-equipped Bf 110 C and Ju 88 night fighters. Yet the Bf 109 D remained a bridge between the Luftwaffe’s day-fighter dominance and the emergence of a dedicated night-fighter force. Even without radar, the 109 D demonstrated that Germany’s premier single-seat fighter could adapt to darkness with skill, improvisation, and a touch of bravery.

Art Scale Kit has released a new family of decal sets for 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 Ds, a neglected subject if there ever was one!

Tonight we examine Early Night Fighters Messerschmitt Bf 109 D

Kits are few and few far between, but Dora Wings and AMG have 1/48 scale Bf 109 Ds in their ranges. If you have a deep stash, you might even be lucky enough to have one of the long unavailable Classic Airframes kits.

Markings are supplied for the following four subjects:

1. Messerschmitt Bf 109D-1, 10.(N)/JG26, Johannes Steinhoff, Jever, Germany 1940

2. Messerschmitt Bf 109D-1, JFS1 White 16, Werneuchen, Germany 1937

3. Messerschmitt Bf 109D-1, 10.(N)/JG2, Doberitz, Germany 1939

4. Messerschmitt Bf 109D-1, 10.(N)/JG26, Joachim Bohne, Hage-Anfang, Germany 1940

5. Messerschmitt Bf 109D-1, 10.(N)/ZG26, Stavanger, Norway, May 1940

6. Messerschmitt Bf 109D-1, 11.(N)/JG2, Norway 1940 (N 9)

7.  

Instructions with four-view illustrations for all six subjects.

ASK has also supplied three sets of national markings.

Decal printing quality looks very good. The decals are glossy in finish. Apparently the clear top layer of the decals may be removed after application with lighter fluid, much in the same way as current Eduard decals.

If desired, the clear decal film may be removed by careful peeling or with a wash off Zippo lighter fluid.

These are nice looking decals that will offer an individualised finish for your 1/48 scale Doras.

Thanks to Art Scale Kit for the samples

Text and Images Copyright © 2025 by Brett Green
Page Created 9 December, 2025
Last updated 9 December, 2025

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