despondman's Airfix 1/72 Bf109E-3 Starter Kit **Finished**

[despondman]

I am going to build the Airfix 1/72 Bf109E-3 Starter Kit out of the box including using the supplied paints.
Here are the box and sprue shots.

[Chris]

Excellent, I have that kit in the stash.

[despondman]

Some progress at last. A quick and dirty job on the cockpit.



You could put some effort into this cockpit if you wanted, but I just wanted a quick job.
The gunsight was lost to the carpet monster so a small piece of clear sprue has been substituted.

[iggie]

Just a thought, seeing as the engine is moulded integrally with the main fuselage, is it possible to leave it exposed and detail it? Do the instructions offer this an an alternative?

[despondman]

Just a thought, seeing as the engine is moulded integrally with the main fuselage, is it possible to leave it exposed and detail it? Do the instructions offer this an an alternative?

iggie here is a photo of the relevant part of the instructions.



It doesn't give leaving the engine exposed as an alternative, but does indicate that you do not glue on the engine cover.
I guess you can detail it and leave it exposed if you desire.

[despondman]

Fuselage now together and this photos shows what you get of the engine.

[despondman]

This is a lovely little kit that goes together very easily. Very soon after the cockpit is complete you are at this stage.





The wings in particular are a perfect fit.

[Old_Tonto]

nice.

[K5083]

I didn't realize you get an engine with this kit. With a little plumbing that could look terrific. Would like to see that on more kits.

August

[jssel]

Very good progress on this.

[iggie]

Just a thought, seeing as the engine is moulded integrally with the main fuselage, is it possible to leave it exposed and detail it? Do the instructions offer this an an alternative?

iggie here is a photo of the relevant part of the instructions.



It doesn't give leaving the engine exposed as an alternative, but does indicate that you do not glue on the engine cover.
I guess you can detail it and leave it exposed if you desire.

Thank you for that; I guess with a razor saw you could carve up the top piece moulding along the relevant panel lines, and position the separate panels how you like. I suspect I have one of these in the stash, so will try that when it's time comes!

[K5083]

The part of the 109E cowl above the exhausts was a one-piece unit that comes off pretty much like it is on the model. Unlike the G which had hinged panels either side. You might do some internal structure on the inside of part A25 but then you're done.

August

[despondman]

This is a really nice little model that goes together with no fuss whatsoever.
It would make a great Blitzbau subject, although before saying that I should perhaps do the paintwork.
Anyway it is now ready for painting:

[despondman]

Stage 1 of painting completed.

[PaulBradley]

Nice! I found this an easy kit to put together as well - as you say, a good candidate for a blitz.