Plastic Surgery for Hasegawa's New 1/32 Scale Messerschmitt Bf 109K-4

Correcting the K-4 Belly

by Vincent Kermorgant

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The Me 109K-4 belly differed from the previous G versions in two areas. First, because it used the MK108 as standard central weapon which meant that there was no need to keep the spent ammo belly bin that existed on the earlier versions.

Secondly, because it was powered by the Daimler Benz DB605D which had a different supercharger from the earlier DB605A and DB605AS.

Since there was no more spent canon ammo bin in the belly area, the vents were deleted and an offset ejection chute added.

Then, the DB605D required the rerouting of the oil breather line exits and the addition of a vent beneath the compressor for the overpressure valve.

Let's now look in detail what we must do on the kit to represent these modifications :

This picture shows what the belly look like once you have done what is indicated by the Hasagawa instructions. You have cut ou the MK108 ejection slot and filled in the vents. I have used Cyano glue to fill the vents. Make sure that you fill ONLY the vents and none of the other details (fuel line, compressed air connection, drop cable) as they were on the real K-4 as well

Also on that first picture I have cut out the MG131 ejection slots as it looks better that way, but the choice is up to you. The original belly includes the 2 oil breather outlets (marked "1" on the photo). These are correct for the planes with a DB605A or AS engine only so sand them off.

Next, drill 2 1.5mm holes as pictured below. Blank them from inside the belly and add a 1.3mm tube as pictured inside them. Notice that they are not flush with the belly. These are the DB605D oil breather outlets

Then you need to create the overpressure valve port by using a round file. See the picture above for location and the picture below for detailing. Basically, all you need is to blank the port from inside and add 2 discs to simulate the valve itself.

The few next pictures should help you cutting the 1.3mm tube to the right length.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

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Then to conclude, here's a misleading picture :

This picture comes from the original K-4 manuals but unfortunately shows a prototype of what should have been the K-1 or the K-2 with a DB605A engine (it is in fact the same plane that appears in the first Japo book). This does not represent a production K-4.

The 2 next pictures show a production K-4. Even if the panels are off, you notice the breather outlet and the position of the MK108 slot...

Finally, if you wish to represent a G10, you need to make the same modifications except :

• Do not fill the vents

• Do not open the MK108 ejection slot(even if the plane is a G10/U4)

I hope this was useful!

Images and Description Copyright © 2004 by Vincent Kermorgant
Page Created 06 February, 2004
Last Updated 19 April, 2004
 

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