Revell 1/32nd Messerschmitt Bf109G-2/4

By Ernest Roth

I built the Bf 109 G2/4 kit for the 109 Group Build. I developed a simple vignette that placed the 109, assigned to II./JG51 and flown by Lt. Hans Langer, in southern Italy. I took some "artistic license" with the scene as the actual aircraft that had "YOU NOT" painted on the tail planes was a G6 that Langer flew a bit later in his career, but as I had a pilot figure with the right pose and facial expression, the opportunity to make the vignette with its related back story was too good to pass up.

When Langer flew the G6, his crew chief painted the phrase on the tail planes without Langer's knowledge. On his next sortie Langer was promptly shot down by a P38, parachuting to safety. After returning to his unit Langer instructed his crew chief to never again paint anything on his aircraft. Langer would be shot down another five times and would also be credited with between 47 and 58 victories (victory credit sources vary as to the actual number). He survived the war and passed away during the 1990's.

I used Airscale's excellent cockpit set to improve the kit cockpit, a Barracuda cast prop, HGW seatbelts and RESKIT wheels.

I also did some minor scratch-building to add to or improve a few areas. I scratched a pitot tub from two different diameters of brass tube and modified the front of the air intake by building it up and adding attachments that the real thing had, as well as a weld line.

The pilot is a Wing Cockpit Figure that had a rather pensive expression on his face which makes it appear that he is thinking: "This is a really bad idea." while looking at the newly painted tail of his aircraft.

Revell 1/32nd Messerschmitt Bf109G-2/4

By Ernest Roth

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