ICM

1/48 Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4z/Trop

Kit Number: 48105

In-Box Review by  James Kelley, IPMS# 42106

MSRP: $ 15.95 *Note*: A full-build review article of this kit (Bf-109F4 boxing) will be appearing in an IPMS Journal issue later this year. After February 1940 an improved engine, the Daimler-Benz DB601E, was developed for use with the Bf 109. The engineers at the Messerschmitt facilities took a Bf 109E-1 airframe and installed this new power plant in it - the Luftwaffe marking was VK+AB and its production number was 5604. The fuselage was cleaned up and the engine cowling modified to provide improved aerodynamics. The relationship to the standard E-1 version was obvious, because the trapeziform wings were taken from the E-1, although this was later changed in the production models of the F version. This adaptation became the prototype for the Bf 109F series. As the DB601E was not yet available in numbers the pre-production F-0 (the only F variant to have a rectangular supercharger intake) and the first production series F-1/F-2 received the 1,175 hp (875 kW) DB601N engine. The 1,350 hp (1,005 kW) DB601E was first used in the F-3 model together with an enlarged propeller for improved performance. Bf-109F-4: Produced almost simultaneously with the F-3, the Bf-109F-4 used the newer Mauser 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon with 150 rounds firing through the airscrew. The F-4 also employed improved self-sealing fuel tanks and pilot armor protection was improved with the use of an armored glass rear head shield above a 6 mm plate covering the pilot's back and shoulders and below a 5 mm plate placed at an angle above the pilot's head. The FuG 7a radio and Revi C/12D gunsight were used and a fire selection control allowed the pilot to choose whether the cannon and/or machine guns would be fired. Bf-109F-4/Trop: The standard Tropical kit (supercharger dust filter and desert survival kit) was installed on F-4s sent to North Africa. Bf-109F-4/z: The GM 1 nitrous-oxide kit used on previous -z models was installed in the Bf-109F-4/z to attain greater performance above the engine's rated altitude. As you can see from the scans of the parts trees, ICM provide the modeler with an economic, accurate Freidrich to add to your 1:48 Bf 109 collection. The slightly-out-of-register decal sheet includes markings for four Desert Scheme 109s in RLM 79 over RLM 78 with white and yellow ID markings. The four options include two for Hans-Joachim Marseille, each with slightly different camouflage demarcation lines and numbers. A third is for Ernst Dullberg of II./JG 27 with the fourth of Jurgen Harder, of 7./JG 53. The decals would best be replaced with aftermarket ones if possible. This kit is very definitely recommended! My thanks to IPMS/USA and Dragon Models USA for the review sample.

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