Airfix 1/72 Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 (A01008B)

Recreate one of the Luftwaffe’s best-known Second World War fighters with the Airfix 1/72 Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 (A01008B). This scale model represents the distinctive ‘Emil’, an important opponent of RAF Hurricanes and Spitfires during the Battle of Britain.

Historical background

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was a mainstay of Germany’s fighter force throughout the Second World War. The E-series introduced the Daimler-Benz DB 601 liquid-cooled engine, giving the aircraft its characteristic angular nose and a significant advance over earlier versions.

The Bf 109E-4 entered service in 1940. It combined two machine guns above the engine with a cannon in each wing, while a revised canopy with a more angular profile helped distinguish it from earlier Emils. In the fighting over Britain, its performance made it a formidable adversary, although its limited endurance restricted the time pilots could spend protecting bombers over southern England.

In 1/72 scale, the Bf 109E-4 makes a compact companion to other Battle of Britain aircraft, or a focal point for a Luftwaffe airfield display.

Model details

• Manufacturer: Airfix
• Scale: 1/72
• Subject: Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4
• Kit number: A01008B