I Really Messed Up! Building The ICM Bf109E-4 Night Fighter in 1/72 Scale - Build & Review

The Bf109E-4 would see an additional role during the Second World War, becoming a night fighter when it had been superseded on the front lines by improved versions of the aircraft.
Join me on the workbench in this video as I build and review the 1/72 scale plastic model kit of the ICM Messerschmitt BF109E-4 Night Fighter (72134).
Whilst I explore the good and bad qualities of this model kit, I also reveal how I managed to really make quite a big mistake with this build - something that I could probably have avoided!
For a closer look at the contents of the box, including the sprues, decals and instructions, take a look at the dedicated ICM Messerschmitt Bf109E-4 Plastic Model Kit in 1/72 Scale - Unboxing Review video: • ICM Messerschmitt Bf10...
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#ICM #Bf109 #Modelkit #Scalemodel #modelplane

[@mikebalint3412]

Good review.... and appreciate the commentary on the errors. A person that never made a mistake never made anything and all of us have goofed up some stuff. I am doing a 1/72 Spitfire one right now which has been one screw up after another- so I will keep grinding along. Take care Matt.

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks! Yes, stick with it, even in making a mistake with a model there will be valuable lessons :)

[@Damien-q8t]

We have ALL been there Mat....its all good

[@choppergunner8650]

​@@ModelMinutes hey, at least from the video itself, I think the final product looks perfect, and maybe the orange peel effect probably gave it an extra realism effect, by gripping a bit more wash than normal. Those night fighters weren't fully jet black, as the black paint started to wear down thanks to sunlight during the day and create several spots where the paint is a lighter, almost a gray-ish black. I like it!

[@justchillin131]

I'm currently finishing up my first tug boat build and I've majorly screwed up on the paint, nevermind I'm going to finish it and learn what I can and can't get away with, we never stop learning, and thanks for showing your goofs, no one is perfect and at the end of the day this is supposed to be fun 😀

[@benhietbrink5799]

The longest distance between two points is via a shortcut. Nice save. I appreciate how you have shared this with us, despite the error. It is a lesson for us all. Such a unique scheme for a 109. Keep up the great work.

[@ModelMinutes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tonypacke6954]

Good review, I built a ICM JU88 A4 as a guide to help with details on a 100" plan built RC model. I think I'm lost my expertise from my early years building plastic kits, had almost enough parts left over to build another! You guys have a lot of patience putting together these models. It's a lot easier when they are much larger in my opinion. Great video as usual.

[@ModelMinutes]

Sometimes there can be a few bits left over, my Hellcat had loads left over - mostly panels I didn't use, but also options for the folded wing and rockets etc

[@robjohnson2821]

Think you did a great job mate 👍 I find that after a frustrating build (we all have them 😅) I get my mojo back by building something pretty straight forward. I have also started using the "what if " method if I mess up a paint job - normally yellow in my case ! Keep up the great work Matt 👍

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks!

[@jonathanhudak2059]

For the way this was turning out at first with the paint issues, it really turned out to be a happy ending! Nice one Matt! 👍👏

[@ModelMinutes]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jonathanhudak2059]

@ModelMinutes you're welcome 😊

[@choppergunner8650]

Matt, I've literally had a problem a week ago when finishing my Academy 1/72 F/A-18C. As someone who builds using brushes and acrylic paints only (for now), imagine my frustration when my gloss varnish started peeling off alongside paint chipping away from some of the parts during a pastel wash session. I had already decalled everything, and I was already frustrated because of the paint reapplication not getting the same tone as the one that the wash had touched. I simply took some dry pastel powder and swabbed it over the new dry paint to fake some dust and grime effect in. I simply accepted as it was and finished the model (which looks good). I am a perfectionist, so when kits tend not to be to my liking, stress is the first thing that comes to mind. I think I might invest on some spray primer so that my paintjob doesn't become ruined. I also had a problem with my Hasegawa F-104J where I lathered on a heavy, undiluted coat of gloss varnish over the decals, and the varnish was too thick, it ended up covering all of the surface details I worked hard to preserve after having to remove old paint, so my final aircraft ended up looking too "toy-like". Thankfully, I could mask it off by saying it's a special camouflage scheme they just painted a few days ago 😂

[@baanibarnes9711]

I have said this to 'Model Minutes' before - do you wash your kit parts first? Usually when I have had issues with the paint not adhering, it is due to the mould release agent the manufacturers use in production, I never paint a kit without cleaning the parts with a dilute 'fairy liquid' wash and rinse, well worth it as it drastically improves the paint finish and generally eliminates issues with paint reaction etc.

[@choppergunner8650]

@baanibarnes9711 yeah, maybe I haven't washed it before painting... it might be that

[@randyherbrechtsmeier9769]

You're getting better. Impressed me on this one, Great Job!!!!!

[@ShuttleFactoryScaleModels]

As the old say goes "If at First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again". Even though you did have the issue of the paint reacting to the plastic. You were still able to recover form that upset (which was a chemical reaction and not your fault). And ended up with a nice-looking Bf-109 model in an all-black finish. Keep up the great work Matt and well done for living up to that old saying.

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks very much!

[@ronaldbyrne3320]

Nice save Matt. The kit comes from a time when ICM was trying to find its feet, I guess. Their latest kits are lightyears ahead of this one albeit still meant for experienced modellers. I plan to build this Bf109-E4 Nightfighter in 1/32 scale in the near future. 😊

[@late_kamer1263]

I dont see anything wrong with that paint and i like your videos because you still post these builds even if they go wrong and its nice to see you making progress with your skill on every video i have gotten some confidence to show my models as they are to my friends even if they dont look so nice so keep this up(sorry if my english is not the best its not my native language)

[@ModelMinutes]

Glad you like them!

[@RonSwansons-0]

I have built two ICM kits and their plastic is soft, but it actually carries Tamiya paint better than Tamiya plastic. I would say their kits can be fussy, but the newer toolings have very nice detail if you take your time. For reference I have built the Sdkfz 222 in 1/72 and the FCM 36 in 1/35.

[@NickAndrewsFaulkner]

Very frustrating, but the outcome is good! Just had my bit off fun with a strange varnish effect, the Spitfire was airbrushed with Tamiya acrylics and then gloss coated with Humbrol 49, the top camo was fine, the sky undersides have gone very blotchy. The upside is that it looks very weathered, but I’d rather do that myself. We all live and learn😊

[@ModelMinutes]

Yeah, i have had strange results with Humbrol 49 in the past as well

[@andygorman858]

Went back and watched the entire vid…it’s seems a nice wee kit, the lack of locating spots for the cockpit is a bit interesting but you made it work. Quite surprised the paint reacted with the plastic so much, the final result looks good though. Great vid and I shall try and find this kit in my local hobby shop!

[@kenhanson1819]

The model still looks good, Matt. I recently discovered 3M Trizact standing pads, which I use to smooth out rough paint finishes. It's brilliant stuff. Just cut into a small piece and wet sand the model. It's amazing how smooth the paint finish becomes.

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for the tip!

[@kenhanson1819]

@@ModelMinutes You're welcome, Matt. I forgot to mention I used the "3000 grit" Trizact for smoothing the paint finish.

[@HandOfDoom9349]

An excellent save! I'd be proud of that build, particularly with the knowledge that it was saved from near-disaster.

[@BillHalliwell]

G'day Matt, Well, I'm a Military Historian specialising in WW2 aviation. I can tell you that by around late '43 the Luftwaffe was getting hammered badly as were the factories that built their aircraft. There just wasn't the resources or money to keep their aircraft looking good as welll as airworthy. For instance the magnificent USN Corsairs looked terrible because of salt water spray. Your 'orange peel' effect could be put down to adverse, excessive wear and tear on the paint job of this 109 and no one having the incentive or ability to repaint the entire aircraft. Well, mate, that's the story I'd be telling... 😉 Otherwise a good build. I can't do 1/72 scale 'small aircraft' anymore; my old fingers and eyes can't manage with the fine detail. I might not have even noticed the 'oranges'. lol. Cheers, mate. Job well done in the circumstances. Bill H. Tasmania

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for the info! Good to know my screw-up wasn't a total loss :)

[@blastpop]

Good recovery with the paint debacle. Respectable outcome - don't beat yourself up is always a good thing with challenges.

[@maxsmodels]

We have all had that shortcut that backfired on us.

[@christianbarker3393]

Hi Matt, Lovely build and review, thoroughly entertaining to watch. I was most interested in your use of the Humbrol enamel thinned with White Spirit solvent to achieve an effective pin wash. I thought that was inspired and had a very effective result. I also thought the Gaahleri markers were a great product too. I would encourage you to repeat both of these techniques and products in future builds! Kind regards

[@ModelMinutes]

Cool, thanks!

[@emmabird9745]

Another nice one Matt. You managed to get a good result in the end anyway. I remeber a number of years ago spraying some panels on the car and getting orange peel. Apparently, in my case, it was caused by being too far from the panel so that the paint droplets were partially drying before they landed. I wonder if your paint needed some sort of special treatment in the airbrush. On the same subject, I've seen modellers using rattle cans from the car accessory shop for their car models. I don't know if modern car touch ups are a different formulation but they always used to be celulose which attacks polystyrene. Does your outlaw paint have a sort of pear drop smell? Perhaps Ned Kelly's paints aren't so good possibly. Pity they don't have any registers to locate the internal stuff and a good thing you did a dry fit to avoid fuselage gaps. I wonder if the prop would be easier to instal (so it rotates) if you had stuck it in the lower fuselage before putting the engine cover on. Pity about the missing bulge underneath, lack of pilot and down only landing gear but it is only £10. Still Airfix manage pilots at that price point.

[@ModelMinutes]

I'm not sure what Outlaw uses as their thinner medium, but it may well be cellulose. Just frustrating because on other builds I did not have the same problem

[@jameskelly2559]

Never seen the night-fighter variant before, or thought to build one. I might now- that was a spectacular build, well done!

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks a lot!

[@adandap]

That kit was my least fun build of 2024. But at least the paint didn't blow up on me like yours did. You truly have my sympathy!

[@jeffwarshaw6838]

Still came out very nice looking, despite the “orange peel” caused by the initial black paint coat. Just goes to show that mistakes can be corrected with a bit of patience and creativity.😊

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks!

[@stevieb6173]

yeah that was a great build actually , because you stuck with it when others would have given up and binned it , love the humility and patience , a lot of younger model makers would find the patience a useful lesson in building , not to mention myself !!! , well done mat

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks!

[@benjaminflatin2054]

Great save👍🏻 i think it looks bad ass👍🏻 thanks for sharing😊

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks 👍

[@BobMuir100]

Hi, good video and I enjoyed your openness 😊 we have all been there and made errors and kept digging 😢!! The answer to the ‘orange peel’ effect is to sand it back. I kept watching you apply paint hopping you found a new method but sadly no……..hey Ho matey keep fighting. Loved the 144th solution 🎉. Loved this , made me smile, cringe and smile again. Bob England PS I was looking at a £40k Toyota with orange peel effect the other day so don’t panic if you are ‘with’ the massive Toyota operation!!

[@ModelMinutes]

I think i just gave in to a moment of madness on this one. Deep down I think I knew that sanding was probably the true solution but I didn't want to have to deal with all that effort lol

[@LocomotionMotionNEW]

Just found your channel. Great stuff, thanks for sharing your builds :)

[@ModelMinutes]

Glad you like them!

[@braxxian]

Yea. Always prime your model, always, even if you think it doesn’t need it. The primer helps secure end even out the paint and will always give you a better final finish. Good review.👍

[@ModelMinutes]

Good tip!

[@roosweemaes2403]

This little model kit looks stunning I usually don’t make smaller model kits because there a bit hard to make im currently working on a 1/24 scale spitfire mk.ixc from airfix it is going together like a charm while if i made a 1/72 scale spitfire it would have almost harder but i do like painting smaller ones.

[@Flakmagnet1701]

Looks like an interesting build. Might be worth contacting the paint makers and asking for their opinion. Even without primer, the solvent in the paint shouldn;t react with polystyrene if that is it's intended use. If it does, then the need to prime should be clearly labelled. A lot of ICM kits out there, and if the paint eats the plastic they use...that's an issue to be VERY aware of. Laying it on thick might worsen the issue, but it should be possible to do that without chemical chaos happening!

[@carlclink9993]

Nice build Matt. I think it looks great on the video looks like it has been used and abused. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ !

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks!

[@paulowen7560]

Hi Matt - hope you’re good👍 if it happens again try a 3000 grit and above sandpaper over the affected area then repainting - this is from experience of gloss coating car models - anyway I think the wash saved it, probably made it more realistic of a heavily used war machine perhaps? Much love

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for the tip!

[@baanibarnes9711]

Looks like one of ICMs earlier efforts, the finish on the parts doesn't look too hot does it? You might want to try the same build with the much better Airfix kit, pretty good fit and nice choice of bits. It goes without saying that Eduard's kit is probably superior to both (not bought one myself but have lots of lovely Eduard kits built previously, mmmmmm, Eduard - is there anything they can't do?)

[@ModelMinutes]

I hear Revell have a new Bf109E-3 coming this year, so maybe I will give that one a try

[@argentinianspotter]

Nice build Matt! I read somewhere that ICM slightly copied the Tamiya kit, without the latter's exemplary fit, so if you build that one, you may find it really similar.

[@ModelMinutes]

I had heard that, but also that they address some of the size issues with the Tamiya one - apparently it is a touch too short in the fuselage, whilst the ICM one is not. Also, the parts are laid out differently on the sprue, so perhaps "inspired by" would be a good way to describe this kit

[@argentinianspotter]

@ModelMinutes maybe there're so many ways to tool a 109e in 72nd? So yeah, inspiration may be the correct word.

[@Jelly-B]

Mr Minutes don't worry as it's a night fighter no one will notice in the dark

[@poatao-pe1ol]

You should build the itleria or amt xb70

[@wadejustanamerican1201]

I think you did well with the kit. I will probably get another brand of 109 kit and do the same color scheme.

[@ModelMinutes]

I hope you enjoy!

[@mohammadfaizal8461]

Don't worry be happy....looks good mate...

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks!

[@baanibarnes9711]

Your version of 'OK' is my version of 'appalling'! This looks a lot like a kit you might get from the likes of Italeri, thin, not-so-well tooled parts. On a side note, I have the 1:72 & 1:48 scale Italeri F-35B models - the mould quality is outstanding, much better than their usual 'quality'. Does anyone know if they used another supplier to mould these kits for them? The 1:32 scale offering from them is much more like the usual standard you would expect, not bad but could be a lot better.

[@ModelMinutes]

Perhaps this boils down to the British art of understatement - I think that as a model kit that builds into a fairly good representation of the subject, it is ok. It is not an easy build kit and requires some work, but I would not rank it as one of the worst kits I have ever built

[@baanibarnes9711]

@ I think some of/all of Mistercraft Kits might fit 'worst kit ever'!? I don't mind a bit of effort to build an unusual aircraft otherwise not available. I have built the tiny A-Model Diamond DA 42 civil twin, it's a beautiful little aeroplane but the kit is not exactly refined requiring a LOT of fettling to make a decent job. Kind of worth it but I wouldn't want to do this level of work every time I build a kit! Vary much enjoy your honest, open subjects, should be a great help to modellers just starting out.

[@baanibarnes9711]

Looks like the pressure was too low on your airbrush and maybe the paint has got a little denser in the bottle (possibly evaporated a little which makes it thicker). Also, let the first coat dry thoroughly first then sand it down before re-coating, that should improve the finish.

[@hueyJoe135]

Excellent build Matt 👏 I've got the Academy Bf-109E in those markings.

[@ModelMinutes]

I'm sure that will be a fun build!

[@ald1144]

Absolutely it's great to share your mistakes. Otherwise it's like those home improvement and car restoration shows where they make everything look so easy and you know it's BS. Every modeller makes mistakes. Okay, maybe not Plasmo. But everybody else does. Lately I've broken the windshield frame off a little 3D-printed vehicle I intend to use for a diorama, mangled some photoetch on an Eduard B-25, lost one of the canopies of an Airfix Beaufighter (I blame the cats), and spilled paint from my airbrush cup at least three times. It's just part of the hobby.

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for sharing! Plasmo is indeed next level but yes, I think it is important to share our mistakes to remind people that these things happen, thanks for sharing :)

[@uMustBeCool]

I like the way it looks it looks highly weathered and dull like the plane was actually used

[@aviationin4k258]

Great video! Fun to watch too

[@ModelMinutes]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@georgeclements2742]

It looks like a pretty good rescue to me and if I'd only seen the end result I would have just assumed that the model was just quite heavily weathered. I'm building an ICM French truck kit at present: it is actually a re-boxed Heller kit with new transfers and paint scheme. The instructions have been changed slightly and it is not an improvement. The orientation of the illustrations is often confusing and some of the attachment locations are not very clear. I hope it will come good in the end. As the ICM kits come from the Ukraine, I'm inclined to make allowances. Thanks for the interesting video and best wishes.

[@ModelMinutes]

Good luck with your project

[@rhts54]

Another good video i enjoy watching all your videos we have all made mistakes at some time or other. I made a gipsy tiger and nothing went right from losing parts and parts that wouldn't fit after 3 weeks it went in the bin 😏

[@ModelMinutes]

ah that is a shame

[@cyberleaderandy1]

Good review. But like so many you pay for a complete kit and not only is the pod missing but so is a full set of historic decals (tail marking). annoying you have to spend extra to complete a correct set of markings.

[@ModelMinutes]

the markings are not an issue for me and never will be

[@cyberleaderandy1]

​@ModelMinutes but it's not a historically accurate model. You might as well paint it in candy stripes if you take that view.

[@AdamSidey]

Hey I have a challenge for you to put a plane of your choice into dazzle camouflage

[@ModelMinutes]

Cool idea!

[@MakotoAtava]

You messed up, but you also saved the model very nicely. 👍

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks 👍

[@outbunda8701]

Every ICM kit I've built has been awful, the plastic is cheap and the kit isn't easy to assemble (even fooled by revell reboxed kits...). I wouldn't blame yourself for this, even then it turned out well! An interesting aircraft!

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks for the info!

[@25hanusia]

What is a painting chamber?

[@ModelMinutes]

do you mean a spray booth? It is effectively a box with an extractor fan and filter which pulls the paint away from you which is effectively floating like a gas, catches it in the filter and expels clean air - all about protecting health

[@Bigboi21Bigboi21-o5y]

I built that old pc6 pilatus porter kit I told you about and I stuffed up. Big time. I stuck parts in the wrong place and stuffed up the interior. Forgot to paint the interior. It was just a dogs breakfast.

[@ModelMinutes]

Hold on to it, you may decide to come back to it one day

[@bdavis1404]

The easiest way to deal with that mistake would have been to simply sand the model down and prime it afterwards. Adding additional paint layers on top of an unequal surface will not work and is actually more time consuming than fixing the issue with sandpaper.

[@ModelMinutes]

I didn’t have the capacity at the time to sand the plastic down then rescribe the details, especially given the cheapness of the kit it didn’t seem worth it tbh

[@sandwitch1613]

I like the result, it's nicely naturally aged

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks!

[@vogonpoet5860]

to be honest the messed up paint work looks right, day fighters would have smooth gloss or satin finish as light reflection from paint isnt an issue, but as with Hurricane night fighters, the paint finish would be rough matt sometimes touched up by airfield ground crew. I have heard of night fighters being painted enstation with blackboard paint , the rough matt finish stopping the reflection of moonlight from wing surfaces and exhaust flame reflection on nose and wings. so technically had your paint job been smooth and perfect, it would have been wrong.

[@RicoBlaBla]

its good to show a build with mistakes and not only the successes but why didnt you sand it away with a soft sanding sponge? instead layer after layer after layer...? again thx for showing👍🏻

[@ModelMinutes]

i think because i didnt have the capacity to sand and rescribe details, i thought some more paint would act as a filler

[@RicoBlaBla]

@ModelMinutes ah ok, but respect you showed your messed up build that need some Courage to show it on the web 👍🏻

[@skadhopper4041]

Not a criticism but why didn't you just strip or rub down the initial paint problem and start again?

[@ModelMinutes]

because the plastic had reacted. Even if I removed the paint the plastic would still be all crackled. To fix that i would have had to sand and polish it to death and then rescribe all the details

[@skadhopper4041]

@@ModelMinutes That makes sense now. I hadn't gotten to the end of your video when I commented. The model is good, you did a nice job.

[@glyndaley5844]

Lol we all been there !

[@francogarciateta1209]

Heelllooooo

[@Damien-q8t]

I wouldn't worry about the prop not being able to spin....its a MODEL after all for display purposes and NOT a TOY for a child to play with