Exotic Decals 72039 - 1:72 Romanian Emils #3 - Messerschmitt Bf 109 E in Romanian Service - Part 3

Romanian Emils #3 – Messerschmitt Bf 109 E in Romanian service (Part 3) in 1:72 scale

Exotic Decals 72039 is a waterslide decal set for 1:72 models of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 E fighter, depicting aircraft in the colours of the Royal Romanian Air Force during the fighting on the Eastern Front. This is the third part of a release devoted to the Romanian Emils.

What's in the box:

• Waterslide decal sheet with markings
• Illustrated painting and marking placement guide (aircraft profile views)

Set specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Product code: 72039
• Manufacturer: Exotic Decals
• Accessory type: waterslide decals
• For: decals for Messerschmitt Bf 109 E aircraft models
• Material: waterslide decal sheet

Waterslide decals – schemes not offered in the box

Decals let you reproduce the national insignia, tactical numbers, unit emblems and stencilling of a chosen aircraft on your model. Decal makers usually focus on schemes and versions that are not included as standard with plastic kits, so you can build a specific, historically documented airframe or a less common operator.

These are waterslide decals, transferred onto the model after soaking in water. A common, recommended approach is to apply them over a gloss coat, which prevents decal silvering, and then to seal everything with a matt or satin coat depending on the finish you want. Decal setting solutions can help the carrier film conform to surface detail.

The decals are intended for models in the stated scale. As kits of the same aircraft from different manufacturers may differ slightly in dimensions and panel layout, it is worth checking that the markings fit your particular kit before purchase.

About the aircraft – Messerschmitt Bf 109 E in Romanian service:

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 E, nicknamed "Emil" by its crews, was the Luftwaffe's main fighter in the early war years. In December 1939 Romania ordered a batch of 50 aircraft of this type (in the E-3 and E-4 versions); the first examples arrived in the spring of 1940 and the rest a year later.

The Romanian Emils equipped the newly formed 7th Fighter Group (Grupul 7 Vânătoare), regarded as the elite fighter unit of the country, made up of the 56th, 57th and 58th squadrons. From the first days of Operation Barbarossa in June 1941 these aircraft took part in combat against the Soviet air force, including bomber escort duties. After losses suffered in 1941 the unit was reinforced with second-hand Bf 109 E-7s handed over from the Luftwaffe.

The Romanian Bf 109 Es carried the distinctive national insignia in the form of the yellow Michael's Cross which, together with interesting individual schemes, makes them an attractive subject for modellers.

Specifications (Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3):

• Length: approx. 8.64 m
• Wingspan: approx. 9.87 m
• Height: approx. 2.50 m
• Take-off weight: approx. 2,600 kg
• Crew: 1
• Powerplant: Daimler-Benz DB 601A inline engine, approx. 1,100 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 560 km/h
• Service ceiling: approx. 10,500 m
• Range: approx. 660 km
• Armament: two 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns above the engine and two 20 mm cannon in the wings

About the manufacturer – Exotic Decals:

Exotic Decals is a Polish aircraft decal brand associated with Toro Model (Tomasz Mankowski) of Konstancin-Jeziorna, Poland. Its range focuses on less obvious subjects: the colours of the Belgian, Romanian, Croatian and Italian air arms, as well as captured aircraft evaluated by the enemy. Many sets cover specific, historically documented airframes.

The decals are issued in the popular aircraft scales 1:72 and 1:48, with some subjects also available in 1:32. Each set comes with a painting guide featuring aircraft profiles to help position the markings on the model.