Introduction
There have been a few ‘planes that we have all been waiting for from HobbyKing and this Bf109E-4 model is one of those.
The last scale plane from HobbyKing I flew was the excellent T-28, a mode that looked the part but also provided support for FPV cameras in the cockpit too. This latest ‘plane from Durafly is much more of a scale model than that T-28 without any of that consideration for FPV support. This model has great attention to detail and a number of options that come in the box that makes for a fun build and flying experience.
Scale ‘planes like this are not recommended for the first time flyer but for those of us with a few years under their belts (and a decent landing almost every flight) then they make for exhilarating flying. So if you’re looking at this as a first or second ‘plane then my advice is to get a Bixler or Tundra model until you can land safely most of the time.
If a scale model of a warplane is faithful to the original design then the handling is very crisp and precise and the turns and controls provide for lots of aerobatics. A lot of that control and features are found in decent scale models like this. Remember this ‘plane was designed when turning faster than the enemy meant winning a dogfight, so expect it to be a responsive fun model to fly.
This model fits in with the others in the Durafly range with a wingspan of 1100mm and a flying weight of around 1.4kg.
Everything you need is in the box and it comes with the decals separate so you can create your own model layout and enhance one of the two color schemes the model comes in.
You can order this model in the Battle of Britain paint or desert camo. I’d expect that the Battle of Britain scheme will be another firm fan favorite.
One of the first things you notice when you start to take the model out of the beautifully printed box is the paintwork is how good the paint looks. That water-based paint they mention in the specs provides a very ‘scale’ looking finish and sheen. The model also appears to be using the new casting process that HobbyKing introduced last year too where the smoothness of the foam is excellent proving a great base for that water-based paint.
Putting the model together is simple despite the features included in the model. The main wing is the first piece to pull from the box and that feels heavy in the hands but it’s not surprising as it includes the scale retracts, carbon re-enforcement, scale flaps, servos installed for everything, and navigation lights on the wingtips too.
The main wing section is held in place to the bottom of the model using four bolts but I’d spend time centering the two servos that are in the main body that controls the elevator and rudder/steerable tail gear.
The rear tail feathers split into two halves that push into place on either side of the rear vertical stabilizer and held in place with a little screw on each side.
The main part of the body again has all of the electronics installed so it is quick work to center the servos and install the control rods between the servos in the wing and body and then attach the main wing to the body piece.
With that done then it’s time to start adding all the scale detail that comes in the additional packages in the kit.
You get a single molded 3 bladed prop, supports for the rear horizontal tail feathers, a duct for the supercharger intake, and very nice scale looking exhausts for the sides of the engine cowling. All painted and just needing a dap of glue to fix.
In addition to that you also get the air intakes for the bottom of the wings, radio antenna supports, airspeed sensor, and a few other bits too. My favorite was the scale looking bomb drop that is operated by a servo. By the time you’ve added everything to the model, it starts to really look the part.
The longest part of the build will be the decal application. Unusually for the models, I’ve had recently these are the ‘vinyl’ style of decals where they are backed in heavy paper and are covered by transfer tape at the front. Application of the decals you want to use takes by far the longest time than building the model and, for me, was one of the most fun pieces. When the decals are fitted it looks more like an actual model plane that you’d hang from the ceiling rather than a ‘real’ model plane that you can fly.
The suggested battery is a 2200 4S pack and using this right up in the nose pushes the CPG where it needs to be.
Take off, flying, and trimming are all as expected but the real beauty of this model isn’t in the way it flies (although it flies great). It’s in all of those scale details and pieces. If I had a room this is one of those models that would be on display when not in the air. Remember that this will need very short grass on a flat field or smooth tarmac to land on as the wheels are scale so will not cope with uneven surfaces.
If you like scale warbirds and have been waiting to see if the Bf109E-4 is any good then you’ll be pleased to hear that it lives up to the expectations.
I hope the rest of the releases from HobbyKing are up to this standard, is they are this is going to be a very fun year! Might be time to make some room in your hanger for some new models.
Written by Painless360
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