1/144 Bf109 E-7 ( or Me109 E-4 ) Bandai Wing Club Part1

This is your opportunity to own a miniature replica of a Messerchmitt Bf.109 E-7 with green / grey splinter pattern on the wings, mottled green / grey body and yellow nose / tail rudder.  The model comes fully pre-painted including German insignia as shown on the photographs. 

Wargamer's special notes:

Although the Bf.109 E-7 was developed after the Batttle of Britain (E-1s and E-4s having been involved in the heaviest action), most of the E-3s were already converted to E-4 standard.   However, as the E-7 is effectively an E-4 with long range drop tanks added, simply don't add drop tanks and you have what was a common yellow-nosed Battle of Britain E-4.

As well as fabulously rare for collectors, this first series of Bandai models are ideal for wargaming as they carry no squadron insignia or markings.  Tail hakencruz and a wide selection of squadron insignia and aicraft recognition numbers are available in the decal section of my e-bay store.  The decals sell out quickly but are regularly restocked. 

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Made from injected high quality ABS plastics, the Bf.109 model is 60mm in length with a wing span of 70mm.  The parts come fully pre-painted on mini-sprues, requiring only elementary modelling skills for assembly.  I recommend the use of liquid polly / super glue for final assembly. The pilot and framing on the canopy are the only elements of the model that are unpainted.  Painting the canopy frame before assembly is a simple matter and although not essential, improves the finished overall appearance.  The model comes with the undercarriage in the lowered position.  With light sanding, the undercarriage struts can be removed to allow a wheels up display.  All models come with a standard Bandai wire-&-cradle type flying display stand.

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HISTORICAL INFORMATION

The Bf.109 “Emil”

The Emil in its day was one of the best fighters in the world, certainly on a par with the Spitfire.  It was more heavily armed than the Spitfire, the eraly variants having two MG 17 and one MG FF cannon in each wing.  The Bf.109 E-3 was replaced by the E-4, with most earlier airframes being upgraded to E-4 standards at the beginning of the Battle of Britain.  Although this was different in several small details, most notable were the modified MG-FF/M wing cannon that fired improved explosive projectiles called "mine shells" (thus the /M suffix) plus improved head armor for the pilot. The E-4 was the basis for all further Bf.109 E developments. Some E-4 and later models got a further improved 1,175 hp DB601N engine resulting in a slightly changed model number like E-4/N.

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