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
