Small Scale Military Headquarters

Well, the JSI/Merit repaint/retool of the 21c Messerschmidt BF-109E that I ordered arrived today. For those that may be interested, I've posted a quick review with a few pictures.



First off, this is basically the same 21c BF-109E tooling that has been around since the beginning of 1:18 scale militaria in the fall of 2000, so we should all be familiar with the basic features of the model. No need to really go through it all again!





The only significant tooling differences between this and the 21c model are that JSI modified the canopy to the proper 3-piece design (the 21c model was two pieces) and they covered all the exposed screw ports on the underside of the wing. The new canopy still seems a little over-sized...





JSI also added some nice paint detailing and stenciling that was not on the earlier model. But otherwise, they are the same. Oh, and the JSI plane doesn't come with a pilot figure or string for the wireless antenna. Still, they are pretty much the same plane through and through.



I would be curious as to which has the more accurate paint for Galland's BF-109E in the fall of 1940. I want to say that 21c likely has it right, though I've also seen models and even archival footage that suggests a paint scheme resembling the JSI model. The S1 21c BF-109E also had a similar overall gray scheme...

Still, the "new" BF-109E looks pretty good with the 21c Spitfire:



In closing, this was not all that disappointing of a purchase, but its not something that's entirely new, either. So I sort of have mixed feelings. While I understand the reasoning for making Galland's aircraft due to the fame of the pilot (never mind the Mickey Mouse nose art), I really feel that JSI should have gone with a different scheme as there are no shortages to choose from for the BF-109E model. Something like Von Werra's, Moulder's, or Wick's aircraft would have been just as good with the new tooling - and been original. However, if you are one of those collectors that has come in very late in the game and missed out on the original 21c "Galland" BF-109 in 2004/2005, the JSI plane would be a good route to go

Great intel !!!

Were did you buy it from and how much did it cost + shipping ?

Thanks !!

What is up with these double posts ?

TMANTHEGREAT:

Thanks for another great review.

Question: Would you rather have the new JSI 1/18 Galland BF-109 or the 1/18 BBI Hartmann BF-109?

pickelhaube wrote:Great intel !!!

Were did you buy it from and how much did it cost + shipping ?

Thanks !!

I'd would like to know as well.

I got the BF-109 from The Flying Mule. They must have gotten in a small batch, which they then sold, as they still have the plane listed for a December 2013 preorder: http://www.flyingmule.com/products/JS-60025. Even Badcat currently lists the plane as "Enroute" though their newsletters have been saying it is coming this week: http://www.badcattoys.com/tbfavlsq3121.html

The Flying Mule have the plane priced at $89.99 (just below their $100 free shipping limit) but when I ordered, I had a 12% off preorders coupon code, which pretty much took care of the shipping cost. I live about 150 miles or so from TFM's location, so shipping never costs me very much...

To answer SBD's question, I would get the BBI Hartmann BF-109G2 if it came down to picking down one or the other. It is really the superior tooling and is the best BF-109 in 1:18 scale, period. The JSI BF-109E is basically a repaint of an original 21c XD tooling from 2000 (with some minor modifications) while the BBI BF-109G is a repaint of tooling dating from 2007 and takes into account all the lessons learned in 1:18 scale development to that point, making it a true accurate scale model. Alternatively, you can just simplify things and get both

Great post T-Man!



This is a great painting of Gallands 109 during the Battle of Britain. I have 21st Centuries version and have always considered it pretty good however I have never liked the shade of yellow they used and have planed to repaint it and fill in the screw holes but like so so many other things have never got around to it. The 109s look great and yes I would also highly recomend the BBi 109, its very nicely made.

Thanks for the info.

Nice pictorial review, Tman.

And basically agree with you on your critique. Understand going with Galland, but perhaps another ace not already done may have been a smarter choice. Or maybe not, as Galland is pretty much iconic for Battle of Britain.

Don't think the $90 price is too high, and if you are going to complain about this price for a model this size, think you should look for a new hobby.

Going to stick with my original 21C Galland, but for those looking to add a Galland 109, I would go for this one, over the original. Just my opinion.

Thanks for the review!

TMANTHEGREAT:

Thanks for the input. Based on the photos I've seen, the BBI certainly looks more detailed.....and it comes with a pilot.

Thanks for the detailed review Tman.

I'm with Snake on this one, have the original so I'm good.
It does sort of resemble the S1 in colors.

You'd think JSI would be a little more creative with their choices of paint schemes.
A Wespen version or something else from the 1:32 21stC catalog possibly would've satisfied longtime collectors as well as new ones to the hobby, and they could have covered all the bases.
Instead they do this and devalue our original ones.

Mixed feelings is the words I describe to JSI all the way around. Some of us have long memories (kick the dead horse one more time) but hey I like the new toolings Merit offers.

Like most of the JSI regurged offerings so far, an easy pass for me, but for those who don't have 1:18 Me-109E, it's most likely cheaper than buying any of the 21stC versions these days.

If what I've been told is correct JSI sold at least some of their 21st molds to another company, a certain Xiaohaoshou/Trumpeter. They could be out of the game completely.

I think your intel is correct, Melvin posted this.....

http://www.warbird-photos.com/gpxd/view ... =1&t=30422

They really need to sell those canopies separately so we can upgrade our existing planes, since I doubt they'll be getting around to all those paint schemes themselves. I even wrote to them asking about it, but they never responded to my suggestion...

nooker21 wrote:They really need to sell those canopies separately so we can upgrade our existing planes, since I doubt they'll be getting around to all those paint schemes themselves. I even wrote to them asking about it, but they never responded to my suggestion...

That's a great idea, if they did I would buy several!!

Yeah Mate. I could just imagine what 109 F model beauties you would create Jon!!

Anyone adding the optional swastika decals to the tail?

one of our own has it
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-18-JSI-WWII-M ... 295wt_1124

sbd wrote:Anyone adding the optional swastika decals to the tail?

I added them to mine, though a week or so after the above pictures were taken in mid-November.