Subject:  
Messerschmitt
Me109K-4
Kit Used: Fujimi 1/48

Review & model by:
Mark Huhtala
Pictures: R. Forys





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History:  In the operational life span of the Messerschmitt Me 109, the "G" model, (Gustav) replaced the "F" in the summer of 1942.   The "G" was numerically the most significant, comprising almost 70% of the total production of Me 109 aircraft.   Over the next 2 years the "G" model fighter would undergo numerous modifications leading to a vast number of variants.   Each one adopted increasingly heavier armament and more engine horsepower, along with structural strengthening and weight.




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The last "G" models were subject to so many upgrades and modifications without much consistency, that it is very difficult to distinguish the variants.   In 1944, an attempt was made to standardize these modifications as the "K" model or "Kurfurst".   It would be the last version of the war.




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Facts about the "K" model have always been a little cloudy.   Due to the apparent lack of precise data, it has been the subject of some disagreement among aviation historians.   It is probable that in this last period, these planes were not really standardized, and were assembled from components on hand, which were from various models.




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What is known is that this late version, the K-4 had evolved to serve the current needs.   With the shrinking territory ruled by the Reich, range was sacrificed for speed, and the firepower was tremendous.   Powered by an 1800hp DB605DCM engine, the K-4 could reach speeds of 450mph, and late in the run, some were armed with three 30mm cannons.   This became standardized as the K-6 model, but not many of these made it into use, however around 700 K-4's were completed by war's end.




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The Kit:  This is the end result of the Fujimi 1/48th scale Me 109K-4 kit.   It went together quite well, with a minimum of filing and sanding required.   The kit was built basically "out of the box" with the only addition of P/E seat harness straps by Eduard.




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The kit was painted mostly with Model Master enamels.   I used their RLM 76 "light blue" for the undersides, and RLM 82 "bright green" on the upper surfaces.   The RLM 81 "brown violet" on the upper surfaces is my own mixture of Floquil railroad colors, "rail brown" with a little "caboose brown" added.   The decals came from the kit, and depict a K-4 model from III/JG 27, from late in 1944.




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