Eduard Bf 109E-1
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I built this kit as a test to see how far I had come since my first model, which was an Airfix 1/48 Bf 109E-1. This kit is obviously far more detailed than the Airfix version, but I must say the Airfix one is still a great kit and looks like a 109 - just make sure the Airfix Engine is hidden away - that was a major weak point IMO!
The only real issue with this kit was the fit of the engine with the cowl closed (I'm not a big fan of exposing engines etc - I try to keep my model all buttoned up). A lot of filing was required to get it to fit and look smooth, which meant a lot of rescribing and riveting was required. Having said that, I have looked at a couple of more recent release instructions and Eduard show in there what to remove from the engine to get the cowling to fit properly
In terms of my build, I was quite happy with it overall, but I did make the mistake of filling in the panel line on the upper and lower fuselage. I was well aware that it is there on the real thing, but I thought I would fill the seam line and then re-scribe it... this was a mistake I will not repeat next time! Just made it unnecessarily complicated. I have also managed to damage the undercarriage on one side - I would have loved to have brass ones like Eduard do for their Spitfire. I think they would work much better (damaging undercarriage is a common theme for me!).
The aftermarket all worked well and improved the kit, but the kit itself is more than detailed enough. The main improvement from the PE set is the wheel wells, which are a little lacking on the kit.
In terms of weathering all I really used was a Dark Dirt clay wash on a satin coat. I used a little Abteilung Smoke on the exhausts and guns after a matt coat but they haven't come out that well.
The kits is an excellent kit and goes together very well indeed - just watch out for the closed engine option and it takes filing and test fitting to get right! There are a few other bit that also need work but nothing that is particularly difficult to overcome.
I am not overly happy with the finish - I feel I lost more details than I should have and haven't scribed it back on as well as I could have, but I'm not unhappy by any means. I will just know better for next time
