In this document a strategy for building the Revell Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-2/4 is exposed having into consideration aspects as what are the painting options, model features and limitations and future integrations in dioramas.
Regarding the first aspect, model painting options, the selected scheme will be the F4/Trop of Hauptmann Hans-Joachim Marseille (BF-109 W.Nr. 8673, 3/JG 27, Africa, September 1942). This approach determines, among others, the colors to be used, defined in the color chart document.
The model limitations are quite important, and maybe this is the most important aspect to have into consideration in order to define the building strategy. In that sense, and opposite to the common building approach, the engine is, by far, poorly detailed and therefore trying to build the model with the engine uncovered is considered a mistake.
A similar thing happens with the cockpit, so avoiding putting the focus on it is necessary. In order to minimize this problem, a Eduard FE812 photo etched seatbelts will be added and some minimal corrections will be performed. However and again, a high-end result is not expected.
Finally, and putting all the previous aspects together, this model is being built to be the main character in a diorame representing a scene inspired in that shown in the heading photo: A Bf 109 E being serviced by a canandian CMP Chevrolet C8 captured by the german army.
In our case, the airplane would be Marseille's Bf 109 with a hole in its side, as documented in the Revell intructions, and the truck would be an Open Blitz (Tamiya 32585) used, among other places, in Africa and, among other uses, for transporting airplanes as shown here. As soldiers, part of the kit Tamiya 32561 can be used as servicemen, and as pilot the Verlinden 1339 or any Aerobonus figure can be used. In that sense, Aerobonus 480097 looks fantastic and, since it is a pilot exiting from his airplane, it would prevent the focus being on the airplane cockpit.
If the scene complexity had to be reduced, the truck could be replaced by a Kublewagen type 82 (Tamiya 32503) with two crewmen that would replace the servicemen described in the paragraph above. In this case, it is very important to put special care in the crewmen uniforms, that must match the Luftwaffe uniforms and not the Africa Korps uniforms having in mind these differences:
Both Army and Luftwaffe troops in North Africa received tropical uniform. The Luftwaffe version had a large pocket over the left knee, and other small differences. The sand-colored cloth was lighter than the Army equivalent, but faded rapidly in the sweltering heat, leading to many different shades.
Both described scenes would match the emergency landing Maseille performed on September 15 in which, apart of damaging the airplane, suffered injuries in his arm.
Update
As the CMP Chevrolet C8 is not available in 1:48 scale, it can be replaced by a british Bedford MWD (Airfix ref. A03131). In that way the spirit of the scene is kept (ie, mixing equipment of two armies, one being war booty). The Airfix model is not top quality, but it can be improved with kits as the Hauler HLX48362 or the Def.Model wheel set DW48007.
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