Tamiya 60755 - 1:72 Messerschmitt Bf109 E-4/7 Trop

Plastic model kit of the Messerschmitt Bf109 E-4/7 Trop fighter in 1:72 scale

Tamiya 60755 depicts the later 'Emil' variants – the Bf109 E-4 and E-7. The E-4 had heavier armament and a distinctive angular canopy, while the E-7 received a rack allowing it to carry an underfuselage fuel tank or bomb, increasing the aircraft's range and versatility. The tropical (Trop) variant with a dust filter served on the North African front.

The kit is from Tamiya's own tooling and includes parts for the E-4 and E-7 versions, the tropical air-intake filter and a choice of three spinner designs. The decals finish the aircraft in one of three schemes, including a tropical finish.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with fuselage, wing and tail parts
• Parts for the E-4 and E-7 versions, including the tropical dust filter
• Choice of three spinner designs
• Clear canopy parts
• Waterslide decal sheet for 3 marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Item number: 60755
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 120 mm, wingspan: approx. 137 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

As a Tamiya-tooled kit it features good parts fit. Before gluing, choose the variant (E-4 or E-7, in European or tropical guise), as they differ in equipment. Paint the cockpit interior before closing the fuselage; the framed canopy is easier to paint with self-adhesive masks fitted.

European machines wore the typical Luftwaffe camouflage (dark shades of green and grey on top, light blue underside), while tropical examples were painted in sand shades. Lay the decals over a gloss coat to avoid silvering, then finish with a satin varnish. The instructions provide paint references for all schemes.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes of various sizes and modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Panel-line wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Gloss varnish for the decals and a satin coat to finish
• Optional: self-adhesive canopy masks

About the aircraft – Messerschmitt Bf109 E-4/7:

The Bf109 E ('Emil') was the Luftwaffe's mainstay fighter at the start of the Second World War. The E-4 version received heavier gun armament and a modified canopy, and some examples gained reinforced bullet-proof glass in front of the cockpit.

The E-7 version gained an underfuselage rack allowing an additional fuel tank or bomb to be carried, easing the 'Emil's' limited-range problem. After the Battle of Britain, some E-4/7 machines were sent to North Africa, where with a dust filter they served in harsh desert conditions.

Original aircraft specifications (Bf109 E-4/7):

• Length: 8.64 m
• Wingspan: 9.87 m
• Height: approx. 2.60 m
• Max take-off weight: approx. 2,600 kg
• Powerplant: Daimler-Benz DB 601Aa inverted-vee engine (V12, liquid-cooled), approx. 1,100 hp
• Max speed: approx. 560 km/h
• Armament: two 20 mm cannon (wing-mounted) and two 7.92 mm machine guns
• Crew: 1
• Service: the Battle of Britain and the North African front, among others

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of Japan's model-making industry. It launched its first injection-moulded plastic kit in 1960 and soon set a global benchmark for quality thanks to precise tooling and excellent parts fit. Tamiya's own-tooled kits are popular with beginners and experienced modellers alike, combining accurate detail with thoughtfully engineered, enjoyable assembly. Beyond plastic kits in many scales, the company offers a full range of accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. Tamiya operates in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.