UM Messerschmit Bf-109 kits

[oldfartmodeler]

Greetings;

Has anyone seen or built one of these 109's? I am curious about the origins of the molds and the quality of the kit. Any information appreciated.

Thank you in advance;

Jim

[Ice555]

Greetings;

Has anyone seen or built one of these 109's? I am curious about the origins of the molds and the quality of the kit. Any information appreciated.

Thank you in advance;

Jim

I didn't build it, but I have take a quick look inside the box. Belive me, you don't want it. It is not even near Hasegawa, Tamiya or Eduard standards. For now your only and the best option for Me 109 F, G or K is Hasegawa. Fujimi is good too, but not as much as Hasegawa.

Edited April 5, 2010 by Ice555

[Gundamhead]

I disagree. I have the 1/48 UM Finnish BF 109 G-6. It's got every bomb/drop tank, and gun pods, a full engine and nice detail including slats and flaps. The quality is somewhere equal to a Acedemy, but with more options. A little more detail than Hobbycraft. There is some flash, the instructions are a little vague concerning options if you don't look them over closely at first. The canopy is bit cloudy, but a coat of future ought to be able to remedy that. The decals seem nice, but I haven't used them yet. All in all, a great kit for $20.00.

[Ice555]

I agree that the quality of the kit is somewhere equal to a Academy, that the kit has a lot of options and is maybe a nice kit, but not great. I think it is something like ICM (maybe even same mold). I didn't mean that the kit is total trash, I just said that if you want the best 109, buy Hasegawa, because it is simply the best kit on the market. You can also sometimes get Hasegawa for 20$.

Edited April 5, 2010 by Ice555

[Bonehammer73]

Greetings;

Has anyone seen or built one of these 109's? I am curious about the origins of the molds and the quality of the kit.

I bought one on a whim because it was discounted, but I'm not a 109 fan or expert so I cannot comment on accuracy. I didn't try assemblying it so I cannot comment on fit either. In other words, I cannot comment on much, so you'll wonder why I even bother.

There's an online review saying it looks very similar to ICM's Friederich: I haven't seen the latter, but the quality is on par with ICM's best efforts - latest Spitfires and LaGG-3.

There's a full engine with mounts and two optional supercharger 'spirals'. The fuselage is split with a combination of cowlings and tails to obtain multiple versions, but the wing has the kidney-shaped bulges so I think without surgery you could get a G-6. There are three windscreen and three canopy styles (one is the Erla Haube) but the transparencies are somewhat frosty. That could not be a problem if you pose them open, though. There's only one style of wheels and propeller. Wing movable surfaces are poseable, but tailplanes are not. Surface finish is good, not 'crisp' but right in depth and width, perfect for a wash. There are a few shallow sink marks on the fuselage sides and on some of the thickest engine pieces. Internal detail is adequate: there are two different IPs, moulded in clear, with no detail on the dials (a decal is provided). The decals are opaque, thin, with nice colours, but the white and black are slightly off-register (the tiny swastika looks more 'shaded' than 'bordered' in white).Two types of bombs and the underwing cannon gondolas complete the kit. Overall the kit looks nicer than other Gustavs I've seen - Fujimi, Otaki and Revell - but I don't know how it would fare against Hasegawa. Recommended if you can find it at a nice price or as a cheap 'organ donor' for a conversion; NOT state-of-the-art though.

HTH,

Bone

[dagger00]

I have the finnish air force boxing, it is a great kit, cheap, with a lot of options, good finish, nice decals, of course, it is not a Tamiya or Hasegawa one, but it is very very good. The only thing you´ll probably have to change is the propeller......check this link...

http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.php?op=...ent&id=3111

[Old Blind Dog]

I was under the impression that UM (Ukraine Models) is an off-shoot of ICM.

cheers

Old Blind Dog

[Matt Roberts]

Interesting, that does look like an ICM mold. At one time ICM had a huge release program that did include 109s in 48th (including nearly all of the Lavochian props up to the La-9 and 11). Maybe I'll have to keep an eye out for one of these. So who all are related to ICM? Sounds like they are the Trumpy/Hobbyboss of the Ukraine - including canopy problems!

I also think Zvezda is supposed to do a Gustav. Their Freidrich sounds like it is getting good first reviews and Lynn Ritger over on Hyperscale is supposed to be getting his hands on one soon.