The WORST kit I've ever built! - 1/48th BF109E (Cough)

This 1/48th BF109e is actually 1/55th. Its also a BF109F/G. Its rivets and detail are absolutely made up, the decals are stickers and the entire kit has almost zero basis in reality - 0/10 would not build again. Save your money.
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[@adammagill930]

background music is annoying and too loud man

[@KABModels]

Damn. If only there was a volume button and subtitles...

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

It is to maintain the atmosphere of suffering.

[@alanelesstravelled8218]

Tip 1. The background music is too much in the foreground. Tip 2. Use a smaller paint brush rather than a big flat brush.

[@KABModels]

Its a very old video, filmed at the very start of when i was making videos, i've just wheeled it out of the bin because I've damaged my hand and cant continue the video i was filming for a bit. The sound levels on my newer videos are much better!

[@fundiebasher]

Starfix kits were terrible in terms of accuracy, but having done a couple years ago I remember them as being easy to assemble. Buy them for a kid starting out in modeling, you won't feel like you've wasted megabucks on a tamigawa type offering that will wind up with gluey fingerprints all over it.

[@KABModels]

That’s a great plan!

[@Lambonights]

I think the old 1/72 Hasegawa 109E kit I recently built could give that a run for its money in badness! The decals disintegrated as soon as they were off the sheet, and I had to do a fair bit of scratch building to add details. Anyways, this still ended up great! Well done!

[@KABModels]

Thank you, its not a bad addition to my 109 shelf (yes, i have an entire shelf full of them in 48th scale and a couple more for 109's in differing scales!) not that i have a 109 problem... no, no, im not addicted, i can give up building them anytime i want *twitches*

[@Lambonights]

@@KABModels I have a "thing" for Lancasters, Dakotas, He111s or basically many multi-engined aircraft from WWII!

[@danielbayer278]

Ah, the experimental Me-109Z with no ailerons, part of a last-ditch German effort to speed up production by leaving off parts of the plane. Only one was built and the program ended after the crash of the prototype.

[@KABModels]

There actually was a BF109Z - A twin (or Zwilling) 109 ;)

[@truthhurts9241]

Did you say this was a 60s Kit? I started modelling in the 60s but I'm pretty sure I never made anything like this abomination. That said, all I could lay hands on at that time was Airfix so that's my comparison level and, they were better than this - plus you got a pilot. Anyway, full marks for commitment and dedication and, from a distance, it does look 109ish. I don't think I'd have even bothered with the painting, it's a "Bottom of the Garden with Air Rifle at dawn" kind of situation. Thanks for sharing it with us and I do recommend the Air Rifle Therapy. Regards...

[@KABModels]

the 'Live diorama' with petrol is an option i've considered lmao

[@truthhurts9241]

@@KABModels Yes, it's how it would have wanted to go.....😆

[@henkvermeer8652]

I recall my cousin building an Aurora FW 190 wich looked like a beerbarrel with wings, so...

[@mageckman]

I bought and built a starfix kit close to 20 years ago. It was a double kit. It had both the 109 and a spitfire in it. Little to no detail, but they don't look too bad on their stands, up on the shelf. They would definitely be good kits to give to kids as starter kits.

[@KABModels]

I agree. if you overlook the lack of correct detailing, the fit isnt bad and its fun to build. exactly what you'd want for someone who is learning.

[@davidchin350]

Sounds like a kit one would get at a candy store in the 60's based on what you discovered. You did a good job and as long as you had fun😊

[@KABModels]

I dont think there was much research done in the development of the kit lol

[@lancerevell5979]

I should have known..... Starfix. Barf. Not "1/48". Bad proportions. Their Spitfire is even worse, a badly done mashup of different Spitfire variants. Please.... Friends don't let friends buy/build Starfix kits! 🥺

[@KABModels]

Too late! The challenge has been issued and kits have been bought *evil cackle*

[@1014kerry]

hats off to you, great job for out of the box fitted togeather job.. actually looks better then excpected!

[@KABModels]

Thanks, There wasn't a lot of effort put into it cos of the quality of the kit, buti am thinking of doing a follow up if i can find the same kit and going all out to make it a decent end product

[@naturalobserver1322]

Actually the one starfix me 109 that I built didn't look too bad from about 4ft. It's the scale (1/55) that looked out of place among the others.

[@KABModels]

yeah, mine is in the very far corner of my BF109 shelf but it does look out of place somewhat. It'll be replaced when i've finished the one im buildng currently!

[@Ducknuck84]

just looking at the thumbnail I instantly new it was the Starfix kit. Had the 109G that I picked up at a local airshow in the early 00s

[@KABModels]

They are fairly recognisable for those who know!

[@johndell3642]

I remember Starfix kits being stocked in a small local model shop in the UK back in the 1960s. Even as a kid, I could discern that the accuracy was appalling (they were all originally sold in plastic bags with paper "headers" so you see what you were getting for your money). I also seem to remember that the price was about the same as an Airfix kit - So it was a no-brainer as to which to buy. The only one I purchased was their Bell Cobra Helicopter in the bizarre scale of 1/96. I think they were from Israel, although some production may have taken place in Turkey (I seem to remember "Made in Turkey" stamped on some of them).

[@KABModels]

despite it being bad, i did have fun building it

[@potrzebieneuman4702]

Shades of old Airfix kits when I was a child, no detail inside just a seat and a blob for the pilot, all the surface detail raised.

[@KABModels]

the Airfix pilots are still blobs in 72nd lmao

[@atilllathehun1212]

30 years ago I used to buy these at Toys'R'Us for one pound each for my two boys. Starfix kits were mainly terrible but their 72 scale F5-T38s could be made in to reasonably decent models.

[@KABModels]

I hear their Alpha Jet was a decent kit too, but i cant find one to check!

[@atilllathehun1212]

@@KABModelsYes, it looked remarkably similar to the first Matchbox Alpha Jet, with the pointy fin top .

[@MIflyer5124]

Well, I still think it is better than the old Aurora kit And there is a worse one! The Starfix BF-109G kit is the same as the E but has a BIG spinner much too large to fit the nose. But i wish there were more of those $1.00 Dollar Tree kits, so we could get kids started.

[@KABModels]

i WISH this kit only cost a dollar lmao

[@fermiticus4034]

Ha-haaaaa! Starfix!!! I picked this kit up, 30-ish years ago, as I was just getting back into the hobby. I was stupid broke...but this kit was $1 (I think I also got the A-4...which went into the bin). The worst?? I dunno. I've had some pretty sucky kits (Smer comes to mind). My worst...I don't recall the manufacturer, but it was a 1/72 F-82 (ModelCrafts 1/48 is also a dog)...I got so mad at it, I went out to the garage, grabbed a shovel and buried that SOB!!! Some years later, I got through ModelCrafts 1/48 and actually made a decent model of it...even made it into the "reader gallery" of FSM!

[@KABModels]

Nicely done sir!

[@MillwalltheCat]

I remember Starfix. Picked up their 'Spitfire' years ago. Scared myself.

[@KABModels]

there will be a few more of these to enjoy coming soon!

[@WendyHodgkinson]

Brilliant detail in the wheel wells and boy were you lucky with a seat in the cockpit 🤔 try 1960 s Airfix you got 2 lugs to glue the pilot to and nothing in any wheel wells 😌

[@KABModels]

i remember building those in the early 80's!

[@MrBerkcan21]

Just found out your channel awesome videos sir, greetings from Turkey

[@KABModels]

Thank you! Welcome aboard, glad to have you!

[@maxbrandt6]

I can see this kit being used for a kitbash to make something familiar but totally your own. I'd have to sand down all those softball-sized rivets and re-scribe a bit.

[@KABModels]

are you accepting the challenge then?!

[@ianbeale2527]

I bought a few Starfix WW2 kits back in the mid 90's at a Poundstretcher type shop. Looked to be a bargain for 1/48 scale kits at around the £2.75 mark each. How I was disappointed on opening the box to find such abominations that looked like they were cobbled together from different marks of whatever particular aircraft they were supposed to be. Sadly, despite having 5 kits for under £15, I could've bought 1 decent kit across the shopping centre at Beatties. You live and learn. They were cheap for a reason. I seem to recall one kit in the Starfix range being a re-box of an OK kit. Maybe something in the F5 jet family if memory serves. But don't quote me - I could be, and very often am, wrong with this recollection. They also did helicopters too

[@KABModels]

I heard a rumour that the starfighter and alpha jets were good kits, but i havent seen either for sale sadly

[@kittyhawk9707]

Cheap kits .. I think the finished result isn't too bad. To be fair ..they could be really good starter kits for learning how to build , fill , detail and paint a model without losing much if it all goes tits up .. i would use it as a paint colour test piece.

[@KABModels]

I completely agree. Maybe this was the purpose all along. I doubt it though, as some of the other Starfix kits were apparently quite good, but like you say, they would make great beginner kits for learning new skills

[@coogrfan]

Oh, Starfix. Don't ever change.

[@KABModels]

I dont think there is much chance of that now lmao

[@coogrfan]

@@KABModels Yeah. I know. Never was a company more deserving of bankruptcy.

[@Emdee5632]

Starfix? In my little place in the world I have never heard of them. How do they compare to for example Airfix, or Matchbox or Frog? Camouflage seems to belong to a very late war aircraft.

[@KABModels]

Me either! I mean, the fit is ok, but in terms of accuracy? dont bother, buy a post 2010 airfix kit or a ICM 109 if you want to build a decent 109 kit.

[@AreeyaKKC]

Starfix is from Israel

[@barrywilliams259]

I am puzzled why you didn’t airbrush the camo, sand the seams or use proper RLM colours? Even a crappy kit can be made better this way. Oh, a sanding off of those rivets would have helped as well!!!

[@KABModels]

The Green is RLM 81, the brown i6 RLM 26 and RLM79 mixed lol. It was a challenge video, with a given set of rules. Challenge videos are always brush painted, and usually use whats in the box, but i re edited it.

[@Tconcept]

Definitely try a bigger brush when doing the cockpit, wheelwells etc.. 👍

[@KABModels]

I'll try a 1 and a half inch brush next time

[@Flakmagnet1701]

Are you sure its a 109.... I think i would have given it up, considering i am building an Eduard 109 e4 currently. Interior was rlm02, which is a bit lighter than the grey you used, but given the total lack of detail. Who cares! This hides it some.

[@KABModels]

rlm 02 would have been for an actual Emil, but i did it as a late war F variant, cos you know, rounded wings an all, theres no way it could pass for an Emil in any world!

[@Saber-ut8ri]

is there a reason to use both regular white tamia cement and green extra thin instead of just extra thin?

[@KABModels]

Normal Tamiya gives it a stronger bond, so that’s used in places like joining the wings to the fuselage where a stronger bond is required

[@nicholasmoore2590]

I've also found that extra thin works very well with capillary action and also dries faster.

[@1014kerry]

starfix kits are something of a mystery wrote to starfix years ago, got a very nice reply and free catalog! all was listed, included mostly ex- heller kits ,not sure about the 1/55 spitfires and me109 e=f and G. they also made a 1/72 a6m2 and p-51d look like rough copies of the matchbox ones any body know more about them? thanks

[@KABModels]

I know that there are also glaring inaccuracies in the P51 kit, but apparently their alpha jet kit was pretty good. As you say though, likely Heller/Matchbox reboxes.

[@craigjewkes]

You do love putting yourself through hell! Great job done Tam 👏👏

[@KABModels]

I wouldnt be any fun if i build Tamiya kits ALL the time, besides, a bit of a challenge is nice sometimes.

[@martinoconnor4314]

Lol you mad crazy fool! I bought and built both the 1/48 Starfix BF109 and the 1/48 Starfix Spitfire! I painted them and TBH they looked like quite decent models from about 800 yards if the sun was in your eyes. The bin was definitely too good for these things! And why did I do it? because someone told me how bad they were and I needed to see for myself.

[@KABModels]

lmao - The Starfix challenge is now a thing. Feel free to show you pics on discord! Link in the description box below!

[@martinoconnor4314]

@@KABModels Sorry mate, I built mine around 15 years ago when my son was still a boy, the only pictures that would exist of them are still on my old laptop in the shed that died around 10 years ago. As far as I recall I sold them both on ebay for around £7, I think someone was after some air rifle targets.

[@michaelvalenzuela2528]

When I was a kid (back in the 60's) this would have ended up as a BB Gun Target.

[@KABModels]

i suspect many did lmao

[@bennettrogers7921]

Glad no sanding material or putty was harmed in the making of this … plane?? It is actually a good thing to go simple sometimes.

[@KABModels]

Agreed, I do enjoy some grass roots modelling now and then to cleanse the palette so to speak

[@the-primered-thumb]

I'd of binned it, but hat's off for getting it to look as good as it does 😉👍

[@KABModels]

thanks. at the end of the day, it was a bit of fun. and thats why we make models anyway right?!

[@the-primered-thumb]

@@KABModels indeed 😉👍

[@dbenci2071]

I have 3 or 4 of thoes kits at a yard sale, I would think these kits would be acceptable for kids who are just starting out in this hobby

[@KABModels]

I agree totally. If this was the intended market, then they do fine, but they dont really offer much in terms of authenticity for other modellers.

[@ChrisColeman-yf8jk]

Have this kit in my stash maybe one day I will build it lols

[@KABModels]

I wish you the very best of luck sir! lmao

[@badman5509]

I think you're right. Probably really the worst kit of a Bf 109. The shape has a little similarity, but that's about it. The camouflage scheme looks like the colors of an RAF Spitfire. But what the heck. An ancient kit cannot offer the results of a current one. The main thing is to have fun!

[@KABModels]

The camo is late war luftwaffe. I figured there is absolurely no way its a 109E, so might as well do it as a late war f/g version.

[@JohnDavies-cn3ro]

I've never heard of 'Starfix'; round here in Staffordshire it was Airfix, Frog, Revell, Lindberg and Aurora. They varied as to accuracy - the Aurora Bf 109 was a poor kit in that respect, as was their Albatross D111. Ironically that one keeps turning up - last seen sold under both the Glencoe and Smer labels!

[@KABModels]

I wasn't familliar with them myself till one turned up on ebay listed as a Wifferschmitt 109 lmao

[@devensega]

TF is Tamiya fat boy glue?

[@KABModels]

Skinny boi = extra thin Fat boi = normal chonky boy glue

[@j.4332]

But its NOT an "E"..The "E" had SQUARE wing tips,and it had struts under the tail planes.That is one bad kit.

[@KABModels]

im glad you spotted the entire point of this video!

[@Ubique2927]

Another Model Snob.. We cannot all afford the kind of money you can.

[@KABModels]

I'm sorry what?! Speakiing out about a model that's wildly inaccurate at best and mostly fictional in reality, makes me a model snob? hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha *breathes* hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha what are you even talking about?! lmao

[@j.4332]

What the hell camouflage on a Luftwaffe aircraft is that?On an "Emil" it would likely have been sky blue fuselage,and dark/light green upper surfaces.Thats basically RAF camo.

[@KABModels]

its late war F camo. RLM 81 and RLM 26 :)

[@georgecoventry8441]

Bloody Hell! That is definitely the worst looking 109 kit ever...with the possible exception of the abominable Aurora kit that was first molded in the 1950's.

[@KABModels]

ooooooh... a worse kit? ima go look for that for the future then!

[@georgecoventry8441]

@@KABModels - Yes! Try and get it in the cool original box art where it's painted bright red all over.

[@roarexenl]

their 1/72 scale mustang was even worse :)

[@KABModels]

yes, i was Joking about that with Welly on friday night as he was building one as well lmao

[@ste309w]

I raise you the PM 1/72 Mirage III/Nesher/Dagger. You think this 109 was bad? Try that one.

[@KABModels]

That’s the point though, this is the worst kit I’VE ever built, I haven’t built that kit lmao at least, not yet, but thanks for letting me know, I may do that in another video if I can find the kit!

[@ste309w]

@@KABModels it's horrific. Grand canyon sized gaps, nothing fits, see through intakes and about as accurate in shape as this 109. At least that one fits relatively well despite the accuracy problems. Built that one in my younger days and remember it fitting better than most Airfix. So it has that going for it.

[@glennvogt1194]

A Bf 109F with a 109 E prop.

[@KABModels]

If it was a 109e it would also not have rounded wings, and would have struts under the rear control surfaces

[@tarkas566]

And the shape of the nose is all wrong for an E -- the characteristic step just behind the prop is missing. Not sure it looks that much like an F, to be honest, but that's Starfix for you. At least it's not as bad as their supposed Spitfire Mark 21 which didn't even have a Griffon engine!

[@Captain-Nostromo]

The background music is way too loud

[@KABModels]

tell me you dont know how to work the volume and subtitles, without telling me you dont know how to work the volume and subtitles

[@Captain-Nostromo]

@@KABModels it's difficult to hear what you are saying with that loud background

[@kennethjames9416]

Well tidy build,it looks like a German Fighter 😊

[@KABModels]

from a distance of about 500 yards, at night time maybe lmao. thank you though, i dont think it ended up too badly for 'grass roots' modelling

[@patrickporter6536]

Those rivets!

[@KABModels]

I know right?!

[@tonybooth3520]

Great video but the music is way too loud!

[@KABModels]

Its a very old video, filmed at the very start of when i was making videos, i've just wheeled it out of the bin because I've damaged my hand and cant continue the video i was filming for a bit. The sound levels on my newer videos are much better!

[@АндрейШмырев-ж3з]

О..о...моя любимая...,паровозная, клепка!!😂🎉

[@KABModels]

i have no idea what you said, but thanks. i think :)

[@Sealion.]

❤❤❤❤

[@jasonmussett2129]

This is the most peculiar scheme for a 109 I' ve ever seen🤔

[@KABModels]

might want to check late war 109 F schemes then, this one in particular :) www.google.com/search?sca_esv=fa8fe62a24a75465&rlz=1C1GGRV_enGB961GB961&q=late+war+109+f+schemes&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjfoIDItb2EAxWmU0EAHbKuCYgQ0pQJegQIBxAB&biw=2133&bih=1021&dpr=0.9#imgrc=lW8k4SoMRZvfGM

[@jasonmussett2129]

@@KABModels yeah good idea

[@scudwerfer]

I never subscribe and/or like if a video forces me to, even if the video reminds me multiple times (what sucks) like in your video...rest was ok

[@KABModels]

i shall sleep better knowing that. thank for the info :)

[@robertstickler5232]

Das ist ausserdem Keine Me 109 E sondern eine F

[@KABModels]

correct. the Emil didnt have rounded wings

[@arnobrooks4450]

For goodness sake. A challenge build? You're making a toy aeroplane. That's what it is. This country is inundated with serious problems and you play about with this.

[@KABModels]

yeah, sorry, i'll just get back to feeding the homeless and reversing the effects of brexit then shall i?

[@shaunmorrissey7313]

please stop the crap music

[@KABModels]

please stop the crap comments.

[@adampender2482]

​@@KABModels I told you Death Metal would be better for the music. Please give it a shot on your next Luftwaffe or Ork build.

[@fabiomarcari6482]

Sono scarsi sia il modello che il modellista

[@KABModels]

really? - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5jQh4mOm5iNpbs