About the Messerschmitt Bf109 E-3
Without a doubt, the Messerschmitt Bf109 can be claimed as the most famous and successful German aircraft from the WW2. It was the world's most advanced fighter at the time of its debut in 1936, and remained as the standard fighter for the Luftwaffe throughout the conflict.
Created by the brilliant designer Willi Messerschmitt, it had the smallest possible airframe built around the most powerful engine available. It also boasted many of the then innovative features such as an all metal stressed skin construction, retractable main landing gear, automatic Handley-Page leading edge slats, etc. The Bf109 saw first combat during the Spanish Civil War and fully demonstrated its exceptional manoeuvrability, inherited from its precedent Bf108 Taifun (Typhoon) multi-purpose sports plane. The Bf109 underwent numerous improvement throughout its career, and mass production of the E variant started late in 1939.
Within one year, about 2,000 'E' aircraft were rolled out. Its excellent performance greatly contributed in the active service of German pilots at the Western Front and during the 'Battle of Britain'. The E-3 version used an improved Daimler-Benz DB601Aa engine capable of 1,100 h.p. output. This engine had provision for mounting a 20mm MG FF cannon on the crankcase and firing through the propeller hub. The Messerschmitt Bf109E was one of the best fighters of the early WW2 period, on a par with the British Spitfire.
Note: The colour chart below is the paints called out in the assembly manual of the model kit. Duplicate colours shown are in reference to Tamiya bottle paints as available in two sizes; 10ml and 23ml. Choose the bottle volume that best meets your needs. All spray can paints (AS, TS and PS) are available in 100ml.
X-1 - Black
X-10 - 23ml Gun Metal
X-10 - 10ml Gun Metal
X-18 - 23ml Semi Gloss Black
X-18 - 10ml Semi Gloss Black
X-2 - 23ml White
X-2 - 10ml White
X-4 - 23ml Blue
X-4 - 10ml Blue
X-7 - 23ml Red
X-7 - 10ml Red
XF-1 - Flat Black
XF-15 - Flat Flesh
XF-16 - 10ml Flat Aluminium
XF-2 - 10ml Flat White
XF-22 - 10ml RLM Grey
XF-23 - 10ml Light Blue
XF-4 - Yellow Green
XF-49 - 23ml Khaki
XF-49 - 10ml Khaki
XF-57 - 23ml Buff
XF-57 - 10ml Buff
XF-62 - 23ml Olive Drab
XF-62 - 10ml Olive Drab
XF-63 - 23ml German Grey
XF-63 - 10ml German Grey
XF-7 - Flat Red
