[vaindioux]

Hi

I am not a big specialist of propeller aircraft but since I just got in a bunch of easy model aircraft, I did some investigating.
Let's take for example for the ones who own these planes easy model # 37281, 37282, 37283.

# 37281 BF109E-3 4/JG51
# 37282 BF109E-4 2/JG3
# 37283 BF109E-1 9/JG26

You can see all the 3 planes here:

MRC - AIRCRAFT Series - BF109E-3 4/JG51, Item: 37281, PLASTIC MODELS/AIRCRAFT
MRC - AIRCRAFT Series - BF109E-4 2/JG3, Item: 37282, PLASTIC MODELS/AIRCRAFT
MRC - AIRCRAFT Series - BF109E-1 9/JG26, Item: 37283, PLASTIC MODELS/AIRCRAFT


So here above we basically have 3 variants of the Bf-109E (The1,3 and 4).

Now looking at this page which I found via a google search:

[3.0] Bf-109 Follow-Ons / Foreign Users / Variant Summary

Scroll down to : Bf-109E ("Emil") series:

It says:

• Bf-109E-1: Initial production Emil, with DB-601A-1 engine, three-bladed variable pitch propeller, underwing radiators, and four MG-17 7.9 millimeter guns, with two in the cowling and one under each wing. A "Bf-109E-1/B" Jabo modification with a centerline bomb rack was built as a field conversion.
• Bf-109E-3: Uprated DB-601Aa engine, improved canopy and cockpit armor. Replaced the MG-17 wing guns with MG-FF 20 millimeter cannon.
• Bf-109E-4: Wing MG-FF cannon were upgraded to MG-FF/M to fire HE "mine" shells. Modifications included the "Bf-109B-4/B" Jabo aircraft with a bomb rack, the "Bf-109E-4/N" with the uprated DB-601N powerplant, and the "Bf-109E-4/Trop" tropicalized fighter.

The "3" should have a different canopy than the "1", I don't see a difference on my 2 models.
The "3" and "1" should show some difference in the guns, I don't notice anything different there.
The "4" again should have different guns than the "3" and "1".

Now again I am a rookie at these propeller aircraft so the improved cockpit and different guns might just look the same on the real Bf-109E, but since I was also comparing some Spitfire VB and VC and they also looked identical (VB and VC have different wings on real aircraft), I was just wondering.

Thanks to all

Patrick

[Cruver Collecter]

Looking at the pictures of the models, well it looks for the most part they did pretty good. The one exception would be with regards to the Bf 109E-1. The Bf 109E-1 did not have MG17 gun barrels extending from the leading edge of the wing. They did do a good job differentiating between the Bf 109E-3 and Bf 109E-4 with regards to canopy and spinner shape though.

[Epapazian]

There were all sorts of exceptions to the rules. For example, even though the cannon that fired through the propeller was discontinued with the E-4, with a pointed spinner replacing the one with the opening for the cannon, one sees pictures of E-4s and, even, E-7s with the early spinner. Werner Schroer's famous North African "Black 8", which has been replicated by Corgi, Carousel 1 and Easy Model, sported a "sawed off" spinner, even though it didn't have a nose-mounted cannon.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

There were all sorts of exceptions to the rules. For example, even though the cannon that fired through the propeller was discontinued with the E-4, with a pointed spinner replacing the one with the opening for the cannon, one sees pictures of E-4s and, even, E-7s with the early spinner. Werner Schroer's famous North African "Black 8", which has been replicated by Corgi, Carousel 1 and Easy Model, sported a "sawed off" spinner, even though it didn't have a nose-mounted cannon.

Most of what I have read has indicated that there was just not to many engine mounted cannons on the Bf 109E-3 and earlier models. It seems there were to many problems with vibration and jamming associated with the engine mounted 20mm cannon. From what I have read only a small number of Bf 109E-3s where delivered with the engine mounted armament and even these were eventually removed. I have even come across an E-2 variant that may have been a failed attempt to install an engine mounted machine gun or cannon armament. It appears that both the C (Bf 109C-2) and D (Bf 109D-1)models also attempted to go with the engine mounted armament, but with no success. Looks like the first real success with Bf 109 with regards to engine mounted cannon would be the Bf 109F.

[hworth18]

I think it would be a little much to expect Easymodel (or anyone else) to get all the variants correct on a $10 plane...

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by hworth18

I think it would be a little much to expect Easymodel (or anyone else) to get all the variants correct on a $10 plane...

Just based on pictures I have seen, they really have done a pretty good job on differentiating between the different models of the Bf 109Es. They also provide one of the more interesting paint schemes for the Bf 109E (Romanian AF). Overall for the price they charge for their models, pretty nice models. Just like the feel of diecast model a bit more.

[vaindioux]

Originally Posted by hworth18

I think it would be a little much to expect Easymodel (or anyone else) to get all the variants correct on a $10 plane...

hworth18

I am not complaining at all about easy model, I actually love their models for the price. I was just trying to find out if indeed there are differences between the minor variants or not.
I just don't like displaying a certain variant that in fact is not even close.
Their models are great, I just can't wait for the jets to come out.

Thanks

Patrick

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by vaindioux

hworth18

I am not complaining at all about easy model, I actually love their models for the price. I was just trying to find out if indeed there are differences between the minor variants or not.
I just don't like displaying a certain variant that in fact is not even close.
Their models are great, I just can't wait for the jets to come out.

Thanks

Patrick

No problem Patrick.. As CC pointed out, Easymodel does a decent job in representing the different variants, and I just meant that we shouldn't expect it for the price.. The fact that they do make the effort is a big plus for Easymodel..

[Cruver Collecter]

I only have one of the Easy Model aircraft and it is the Mig 3. Overall it is a pretty good model and looks great sitting next to my IXO Polikarpov I-16. I have give some thought to getting their Bf 109E in Romanian markings, to add some more variety to my Bf 109 collection.

[leeG]

I have EasyModel's Bf-109s in the E-1, E-4Trop, G-2, G-6 and G-10 marks. They do a good job of capturing the differences. The E-4 Trop has the dust filter, the fuselage bump progression in the Gs is correct and the G-6 and G-10 have the Gallant hood. My G-6 is Erich Hartmann's I./JG53 1945 Hungary bird, as depicted on the cover of Ospery's Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front.