Airfix 1:72 Messerschmitt Bf109E-3 Starter Set (A55106) Review (2026)

Who this starter set suits

This is Airfix's small starter set built around the early-war Messerschmitt Bf109E-3, the Luftwaffe fighter that saw action over Poland, France and the Low Countries before being outclassed by the Spitfire during the Battle of Britain. Rated skill level 1 and recommended for ages 8 and up, it is aimed squarely at first-time builders or a parent and child working through a first kit together rather than experienced modelers chasing fine detail. The decal scheme reproduces a specific aircraft flown by Obit. Werner Pichon-Kalau von Hofe of III./JG 51 in France in 1940, giving the finished model a real historical identity rather than a generic paint job.

What comes in the box

The kit itself has 64 parts molded in grey plastic, small enough in part count to be finished in an afternoon or two rather than spread across several sessions. Because it is a starter set rather than a bare kit, the box adds everything needed to go from sprue to finished model: poly cement glue, a paintbrush and four acrylic paints, along with waterslide decals and illustrated step-by-step instructions. That bundled approach is the main reason this shows up as a strong pick in beginner kit comparisons, since a first-time builder does not need to already own tools or paint to complete the project, unlike a standard kit sold without any of those extras.

Assembly and the camouflage challenge

Airfix's E-3 shares the simple, forgiving engineering typical of its small starter sets, with a straightforward airframe and low part count that keeps assembly quick for a first build. The bigger challenge is finishing rather than assembly: the historical Luftwaffe splinter camouflage pattern this scheme calls for is a multi-color, hard-edged design that takes more care to mask or hand-paint neatly than the single-color RAF schemes used on comparable British starter sets. First-time painters may want to keep expectations realistic about matching the box art exactly and treat the four included acrylics as a starting point, since a clean splinter pattern is a skill that improves with practice rather than something the starter paints alone guarantee.

How it compares with other beginner kits

Among Airfix's own beginner lineup this Bf109E-3 set ranks just behind the Supermarine Spitfire MkVc starter set, its natural Battle of Britain pairing, and ahead of the newer Bf109F-4 starter set, the P-51D Mustang gift set, and Airfix's clip-together Quickbuild Spitfire. Building both the Spitfire and this Messerschmitt starter sets side by side is a common approach for modelers who want a matched pair representing both sides of the Battle of Britain on one shelf. Compared with the Quickbuild option, which snaps together without glue or paint, this traditional starter kit is the better choice for anyone who wants to actually learn glued assembly and painting rather than a faster, simplified build.

Tips for a first build

Because the included starter brush is basic and wears down quickly with regular use, picking up one or two better synthetic brushes is a low-cost upgrade worth making once the included one starts fraying, especially before attempting the splinter camouflage pattern. Working in a well-lit space and dry-fitting parts before gluing helps keep a first build clean, since the kit's low part count leaves little margin for lost or damaged pieces. For anyone building this alongside the matching Spitfire set, painting both models with a consistent weathering level keeps the pair looking like they belong on the same shelf.

Frequently asked questions