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Messerschmitt Bf 109E Spinners and Propellers

 

Ultracast

 

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number: 48128 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E with Standard Spinner
48129 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E with Blunt Spinner
48130 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E with Pointed Spinner
Scale: 1/48
Price: each USD$8.55 from Ultracast website (plus shipping and handling)
Contents and Media: Each set contains four parts in cream-coloured resin.
Review Type: FirstLook
Advantages: Exquisite detail - especially on the pitch collars; accurate; solid location for prop blades; beautifully cast; minimal preparation for use; prominent prop assembly will be quite obvious on the finished model
Disadvantages: No pitch alignment for prop blades; no hole for propeller shaft
Recommendation: Highly Recommended.

 

Reviewed by Brett Green


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F i r s t   L o o k

 

Tamiya's 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109E kits are very nicely detailed and a fast, easy build. The first issue of the Bf 109E-3 had a problem with the shape of the upper forward cowl, but that was corrected on the Bf 109E-4 release and subsequent boxings of the E-3 variant too.

However, the poorly shaped propeller blades were not addressed.

Ultracast has provided three beautifully detailed and accurate options for this prominent area on Tamiya's 1/48 scale Bf 109E. There are three different propeller spinner and blade sets available:

  • 48128 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E with Standard Spinner (see title image)

 
  • 48129 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E with Blunt Spinner (click thumbnail to view larger image)

  • 48130 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E with Pointed Spinner (click thumbnail to view larger image)

Each of the sets feature truly exquisite detail on the pitch collars and capture the subtle curve of the spinner beautifully. The spinner and base plate are cast as a single part, with a nice deeply recessed locating hole for each propeller blade. There is no "key" to fix the angle of  the propeller blades, so it is the modeller's responsibility to ensure that the pitch of each propeller is the same. The back of the base plate does not have a locating hole, so you will have to either carefully drill a hole or cut off the propeller shaft from the kit.

The standard spinner set will also be appropriate to replace the awful items on the Fujimi 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Bf 110C/D kit.

In common with other Ultracast releases, all the parts on my samples are perfectly cast and will require only a few minutes preparation before use.

 

 

Conclusion

 

Ultracast has carved itself a niche in the areas of seats, propeller assemblies and wheels; and these releases reinforce all the high points of their quality products.

Great casting, minimal cleanup, exquisite detail and accuracy will make these replacement propeller assemblies as enjoyable to build as the Tamiya kit itself.

These are first-rate accessories.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Kevin at Ultracast for the review sample

The full catalogue of Ultracast accessories, conversions and figures may be viewed and purchased at Ultracast's Web Site.

Review Copyright © 2003 by Brett Green
Images Courtesy Ultracast Website
Page Created 27 April, 2003
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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