Grand Messerschmitt project of 2021
So many Messerschmitts, so little time...
This was a special project that ran from May 2021 to April 2022, with the idea to build five new Bf 109 models. It was an experiment to see if models can be built by taking advantage of "economies of scale" by building several roughly similar models at the same time.
These are the planes covered by the project:
| Variant | Identity | Operator | Place & Date | Kit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bf 109G-2 | MT-213, "White 3" | 1/HLeLv 34, Ilmavoimat | Suulajärvi, April 1944 | Fine Molds |
| Bf 109G-6 (trop) | MT-431 | 2/HLeLv 24, Ilmavoimat | Utti, September 1944 | Fine Molds |
| Bf 109G-6 | MT-452, "Yellow 4" | HLeLv 31, Ilmavoimat | Luonetjärvi, 1948 | Fine Molds |
| Bf 109G-6 (late) | MT-456, "Yellow 6" | 1/HLeLv 24, Ilmavoimat | Lappeenranta, June 1944 | Premium Hobbies (Academy) |
| Bf 109E-7 | "Black chevron and triangle" | III/JG 5, Luftwaffe | Petsamo, August 1942 | Airfix |
The effort is documented in a series of blog posts:
- Introduction: The Grand Messerschmitt Project of 2021
- Analysis of Premium Hobbies' Bf 109G-14 - initial thoughts on the re-issued Academy kit
- Cockpit detailing
- Super-detailing the "Emil"
- Towards complete airframes
- Reference material
- Cockpit detailing, part 2
- Camouflage
- Canopies & wheel wells
- It's alive! (resumption of the project after a hiatus)
- First completed model
- Two more models completed
- Conclusion
For Finnish readers, a description of the project can also be found here.
As part of the project, we have also made our Bf 109 reference photos available.
An SVG graphic suitable for use with a computer-controlled cutter (such as the Cricut Maker) is downloadable here. It was designed for the Fine Molds' "Erla" hood, but works well with the Premium Hobbies kit too.
