HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 Bf109 KIT TABLE

Last update: 11 February 2003                           

Hi, I’m Tony Hodun, and this is table of 1/48 Hobbycraft Bf109 kit listings I’ve developed to aid you as a modeler or collector (or both) in finding the kit you want to build the version you want, or to fill the gaps in your collection. Hobbycraft’s 109s are less expensive than the other brands and build up into decent models (check out the kit reviews on M2).  They produce the only mass production injected Bf109B/C/Ds and postwar Avia S.199 and Hispano Ha 1112 derivatives.  Hobbycraft’s early decals were frankly poor (I call these ”old”), but since the early 90s they have included excellent decals in their kits (I call these “new”).  They also are known for often providing some unique markings versions in their kits (like the USAAF marked captured Bf109G-2 and the Battle of Britain movie Ha1112 “109 Emils” !).  Enjoy, and happy modeling/collecting!

My thanks to Darryl Aoki for his helpful input!

BERTA THROUGH EMIL: The Early Birds

Hobbycraft’s Bf109B, C, D, and Es are actually all derived from the same family of parts.  Some trees have a gate in the runner to certain optional parts, so HC can produce the tree with or without them. The initial issues of these kits appear to only include the parts needed for the version on the box. Recent issues are coming with canopy and decals bagged separately, and appear to include some of the optional parts, such as cannon bulges with the E-1 kit or solid spinner in several kits, or a recent Bf109B which included all B/C/D optional parts. As originally produced, the kits had a pitot tube hole in the lower wing but no pitot tube part.  The pitot tube part has since been added to tree A, so this is one sure way to know you have a more recent boxing. The early HC 109 trees are as follows:

A - upper wings, cockpit parts, landing gear and doors, many common parts.

B - E fuselage, bomb, drop tank, pylons, prop, open spinner etc. Option: solid spinner.

C - B/C/D fuselage, etc. Options: one piece early fixed pitch prop, two piece later prop, three different types of exhausts.

D - B/C/D lower wings, flaps.

E - E lower wings, flaps, Two Options: underwing cannon bulges, also tropical intake filter

G - 109B/C/D/E3 - clear parts w/early canopy. Option: Armored windscreen – called G early

G - 109E4/E7 - clear parts w/later E-4/7 canopy – called G late

Note that the two different clear trees are each labeled G and also labeled for the correct variants

HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 BF-109B/C/D

Differences when first issued are in optional parts listed in the table above. Recent kits may have extra parts.  Note that the actual aircraft had one type of ported exhaust.  Hobbycraft provides two types, one where the ports are recesses in the cowl, the other where the ports are actually holes in the cowl; not sure why they did this.  There have been several nice aftermarket sets of early 109 decals produced by Aeromaster and others.  Kit 1518 is most flexible as it contains all optional parts.  Academy 2178 Bf109D is made with Hobbycraft tooling and also comes with all optional parts and the pitot tube.

NEED INFO: None

HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 BF-109E

Differences are in optional parts listed in the table above.  Kits 1545 and 1565 are the most flexible as they comes with all optional parts, everything except the E-1/E-3 canopy. Squadron makes replacement vacuform canopies for these early and late Emils.  And you can always find plenty of great 109E-1/3/4/7 aftermarket decals.

NEED INFO: None

GUSTAV, KURFURST, AND BEYOND: Later Birds and Postwar Derivatives

Hobbycraft’s Bf109G/Ks, Avias and Hispanos are actually all derived from the same family of parts.  Some trees have a gate in the runner to certain optional parts, so HC can make the tree with or without them. All these kits include the newer quality decals, often with some unusual options.  Some early production may have had “extra” parts compared to the table below (e.g. some early 109 G-14s included spoked wheels, so they could be built as a G-1/2/3/4/6 or 14!). The late HC 109 trees are as follows:

A – 109 fuselage for G variants through G-6, G bulges, trop filter and bulge, bombs, 21 cm rockets, sun parasol, etc.

B – Hispano HA1112 fuselage and parts for this variant plus Battle of Britain movie modifications

C – upper and lower wings. Options: early spoked G wheels and/or later larger solid G wheels

D – Avia S.199 fuselage and parts for this variant

E - 109 G-10/K-4 fuselage w/taller tail, prop, intake, latest larger solid wheels

F – common parts, stabs, spinner, both type wheel bulges, etc. Options: 20 mm underwing cannon gondolas, or taller wooden tail and different style drop tank

Clear – windscreen, gunsight, pilot armor, Options: either standard canopy, or Erla haube canopy, or Avia frameless bulged sliding canopy

HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 BF-109G/K

These kits remind me of the old 1/25 AMT 3-in-1 car kits I loved to build as a kid, as every kit can be built into several variants!  Also, Academy 2146 Bf109G-6 is made with Hobbycraft tooling and includes all the parts in 1541. Academy 1682 Bf109G-14 is made with Hobbycraft tooling and includes all the parts in 1544 plus the early spoked wheels (again, this one can be built as a G-1/2/3/4/6 or 14!).

NEED INFO: None

HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 POSTWAR BF-109 DERIVATIVES

Both Avia and Hispano kits provide you with some nice extra 109 parts!  As noted, the Hispano kits build the Spanish version with wing cannon and rockets, and also the cosmetically modified Battle of Britain movie version (smart move by Hobbycraft), but note that only 1523 has the B of B movie decals.  Note that the Avia kits differ only as far as the canopy, the Erla Haube was on earlier S.199s as built and the Avia sliding bulged canopy was on later S.199s, check your references before you chose the kit. Or get Academy 2202, Avia S.199 Mody Alon, which includes both type canopies!  (For the record, Academy 2202 trees are: D, C w/solid wheels and spoked wheels, F w/cannon, clear Erla haube, clear Avia canopy).

NEED INFO: None

The End! Auf Wiedersehn!