This is a 1:48 scale plastic WW2 aircraft model assembly kit from Tamiya. Messerschmitt BF109 E 4 / 7 Trop.
During the first half of the Second World War, the Messerschmitt Bf109E was the main fighter of the German Luftwaffe.
185mm length assembled. This plastic kitset requires assembly, painting and glue to complete.
Suggested Paint Colors (not included):
AS-3 – Gray Green (LUFTWAFFE)
AS-4 – Gray Violet (LUFTWAFFE)
AS-5 – Light Blue (LUFTWAFFE)
X-1 – Black
X-10 – Gun Metal
X-11 – Chrome Silver
X-18 – Semi Gloss Black
X-2 – White
X-4 – Blue
X-6 – Orange
X-7 – Red
XF-1 – Flat Black
XF-15 – Flat Flesh
XF-16 – Flat Aluminum
XF-2 – Flat White
XF-22 – RLM Grey
XF-23 – Light Blue
XF-3 – Flat Yellow
XF-49 – Khaki
XF-55 – Deck Tan
XF-57 – Buff
XF-58 – Olive Green
XF-59 – Desert Yellow
XF-62 – Olive Drab
XF-63 – German Grey
XF-64 – Red Brown
XF-7 – Flat Red
The E-4 housed a 1,100 hp Daimler Benz DB 601Aa engine and was armed with two 7.9mm machine guns on the nose, as well as 20mm cannon on each wing. For some aircraft, bulletproof glass was used to reinforce the front of the canopy. In addition, a 20mm cannon, which ran through a tube in the propeller was supposed to be installed but was unsuccessful.
Displaying superb acceleration and diving ability, the E-type planes overpowered RAFs Hawk Hurricane and equaled the Spitfire fighters in the Battle of Britain. However, with a flight range of only 560km, the E-4 planes were limited to just fifteen minutes of combat over British skies. Thus, the bombers were not given sufficient support and sustained heavy damage. As a result, the Luftwaffes strategy to bomb England into surrender ended in failure.
To deal with the drawback, the E-4 planes were equipped with an additional 300L fuel tank. These improved fighters, called E-7, were first deployed at the end of 1940. After the Battle of Britain, the E-4/7 planes were sent to the front lines of Northern Africa. As the Bf109 F-type fighters production advanced, the E-4/7 was retired from the front lines. However, some veteran pilots continued to use the E-4/7 mainly for ground support duty until the summer of 1942.
