¹⁄48

The new and exclusive 2012 Airfix Club kit features a 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3/E7. The kit is supplied with decals for two very unusual schemes for this iconic German aircraft.

Scheme A - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 (RAF)
Captured by the Armée de l'Air just over a month after the opening of hostilities Bf109E3 AE479 was originally operated by I/JG76 and flown on the day of its capture due to a navigational error by Feldwebel (Sergeant) Karl Hier. Gifted to the RAF during the early part of 1940 it arrived at Boscombe Down in May, but was quickly transferred to Farnborough. Where it took on its RAF serial of AE479. Part of the air fighting development unit the aircraft was used to train RAF pilots in how best to combat enemy aircraft. In early 1942 the aircraft was shipped to the USA for more research and development work.

Scheme B - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-7 (Imperial Japanese Army)
One of the lesser known operators of the Bf109E was the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. They received five aircraft in early 1941 for evaluation use with a view to starting licensed production. However the Japanese pilots found the aircraft to be short ranged and not as maneuverable as their own indigenous designs. However when the aircraft was tested by the manufacturer Kawasaki they found the engine to be very much to their liking and installed it in their new design, the Ki61 'tony.' The fate of the aircraft is unknown.

These decal schemes have never been released by Airfix and are only available via the Limited Edition Airfix Club kit. Annual subscription this year for the Airfix Club is £16.99.

For more information on the product above, please visit Airfix.

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