Small Scale Military Headquarters

To fill in the lull of new 21C AC, I picked up a MIB Bf-109E "White 12" for $10 on evilbay.
On a positive side, it gives me a chance to catch up on some planes that I've missed.

I'm guessing this was the 1st Bf-109E 21st Century issued for two reasons:
1. The box is different (gray)
2. The canopy is not as detailed as the other 109E aircraft (ie. "Black 3")

But none-the-less, it's a nice paint scheme.

I did a little research online and found out it was flown by Joachim Müncheberg:

http://www.elknet.pl/acestory/munche/munche.htm




Speaking of waiting on new releases....
Why is 21C issuing AC at 1:48 that hasn't been released in 1:32?
A Bf-109K, P-40E, Ki-61, or a F6F would have been a nice addition to the 1:32 family.

The plane you got was one of the very first 32x aircraft released back in 2003. It came out with the original P-51D and the ME-262. These were very cool for their time as we had really nothing else to compare them with, but all the aircraft are severely lacking in detail and accuracy when the most current 32x releases are taken into consideration.

The Bf-109 and P-51 were downscaled copies of their larger 1:18 cousins, which were also 21c's first 1:18 planes. As such, they also have the accuracy problems of the larger aircraft. The wings are too fat and the canopy is all wrong on the Bf-109, for example. The P-51 has fat wings, the wrong landing gear, oversized rivets, and the list goes on. The ME-262 has held up the best of the original three planes - seeing recent releases in Dogfight packs and the one at TRU - but it is still far from perfect.

That said, 21c has given the 32x Bf-109E alot of neat paintschemes over the years. I think it is a mould they should revisit like the P-51D, but then as my Wal Mart shelves still haven't cleared out the Bf-109Fs, the last thing we need in 1:32 are more Bf-109s

I'll agree that the Bf-109E(s) are not perfect, but it was one that I did not have.
I saw "Wespen Geschwader" 109E at a local hobby store priced at $30.
I almost asked to speak with the manager about the ridiculous price.

I started collecting 21C between the Bf-109F/G & the P-51B/C series.

Out of the "old" stuff I have the following:
- British Corsair
- Me-262 "Black 4"
- P-47 (Shilling)
- Fw-190 D-9 "Black 1" "Red 3" "Blue 12"

I'm missing a P-40, a Zero, a Stuka and a Maachi.

tmanthegreat wrote:That said, 21c has given the 32x Bf-109E alot of neat paintschemes over the years. I think it is a mould they should revisit like the P-51D, but then as my Wal Mart shelves still haven't cleared out the Bf-109Fs, the last thing we need in 1:32 are more Bf-109s

You sure got that right Tman!

RAD, I would definitely pick up the Maachi, Zero and Stuka. Although not as good as the newest Mustang or FW-190 they are heads and tails above the first two generations of 1/32 planes.

I think I am in the minority but I don't care for the 1/32 P-40. My advice would be to pass on that and hope they re-release it with new tooling.

I love my Italian Folgore and Stuka! Of course I've always been a Veltro and Folgore fanboy.

The Macchis are beauties. I never found single ones, but I got mine in the Dogfight pack, and with such a nice Stuka it's worth it. I wish 21c had that kind of sense when creating the Zero/Corsair Dogfight pack, as the Corsair was also available single. I ended up with two Big Hogs, as I got the single one first and the Dogfight pack, I really just wanted the Zero.

As was stated, the P-40 isn't that great, I'm okay with it. It doesn't bug me as much as the P-47. I would also kill to have a re-tool of the Me-109E, as that is the most iconic of the 109s. If only someone would make a 1:32 Bf-109B... that cowling is so nice. There were a few paint schemes, but not too many.

For the record, 21C has come a long way from innacurate toys to what now can be seen as quite nice display pieces. While not always 100% accurate, and not incredibly detailed, for this price, you couldn't build and paint a nice 1:72 model.

AlloySkull wrote:As was stated, the P-40 isn't that great, I'm okay with it. It doesn't bug me as much as the P-47.

What are your issues with the P-40 vs P-47 ?
For instance, my only complaints with the P-47 are the following:
- Pilot sits too low in cockpit
- Rear landing gear collapses

Sounds like I need to get some dogfight sets...

BTW: What's time line of 21C Releases?
P-51D
Bf-109E
Me-262
....?

Take a look at the new Spitfire and compare it to those first aircraft and you can instantly see that they have come a LONG way. I had the first 1:32 BBD P-51 and the desert camo 109E. I remember doing a double take the first time I saw them in WM. And so started my addiction.

RAD 2112 wrote: What are your issues with the P-40 vs P-47 ?

The P-40 is actually nicely done except that the canopy sits on rails outside cockpit on the fuselauge. In the 1/18th version this causes the canopy to "bulge" out unrealistically. In the 1/32 version it is extremely pronounced. If the 1/32 bird was scaled up to 1/1 it would have the canopy sticking out 12" on each side!

I have one P-40 and it is hung in the coffin corner of the room climbing away from view so I don't have to look at the cockpit. I would love a retool but will not buy another from the old mold. But hey, to each their own. I know other guys here love their P-40s.

The ONLY reason I would get a P-40 is if it was Tex Hill's, to go along with his P-51B.

Wish they would make a P-40E or later.

RAD 2112 wrote:BTW: What's time line of 21C Releases?

Here's the timeline to the best that I can remember. The planes are listed under the year that they appeared in retail stores or online, which does not necessairly correspond with the date stamp on the model itself. Some years, like 2004, we actually got repaints instead of new toolings and I have not listed the various repaints.

2003
P-51D [original tooling]
ME-109E
ME-262

2005
P-40B
FW-190D
P-47D "Bubbletop"

2006
A6M2 Zero
A6M3 Zero
Macchi 202
Macchi 205
F-4U Corsair
JU-87B Stuka
Bf-109F
Bf-109G

2007
P-51B/C
FW-190F

2008
FW-190A
P-51D [retooled]
Spitfire

2006 sure was one heck of a year, and to think that all those planes showed up in the west first

Well, for one thing that huge slot for the cockpit to slide is a bit distracting, for some reason even though the P-40 has it's faults, the P-47 still looks extremely toyish. I mean, they're both about on the same level but I think I'd take the bulged out cockpit over a huge slot... But I'm not really a picky person, as long as all my planes are plastic, based on real planes, 1:32 or 1:18.

Thanks for the time line Tman!
It really puts the the quality of aircraft in perspective.

I find it curious as to why they went from (8) AC in 2006 down to (2) in 2007.
Now adays, I feel like a Pavlovian dog whenever there's a new release.

The slot doesn't bother me that much on the P-47.
I was never a big fan of the Jug, but after I saw how huge it was compared to the other aircraft in the collection, I had to get one... especially with all the items slung under the wings.
Fortunately, I was able to get Schilling's.
I might have to find another to balance it out.

2006 was the year I bought the most 1/32.
I remember many different Corsairs, all the different Stukas. I got caught up on all the was it 6 Zeros? (not counting the Dogfight pack)
Lots of repaints, but it was fun hunting them down. Then all the 109f's and G's

I'm still missing a few 109E's. Need to get the Wasp Squadron and the Grey 3-tone Hans Ohly one.