Exotic Decals’ second foray into Messerschmitt Bf 109s flown by Bulgaria offers yet further opportunities to add unusual schemes to your ‘Emils’.
If you’re on the lookout for a different livery to the usual Luftwaffe options for your 1/48 or 1/72 Bf 109E-3, Exotic Decals has released a second instalment in its representation of Bulgarian Air Force machines. For details of part 1, see here.
Bulgarian Arrows #2 – Bf 109E-3a in Bulgarian Service part 2 provides the choice of three sets of markings, for ‘109s wearing dark green/mid-green over light blue scheme. However, two of these aircraft are enlivened by yellow paint on the nose, which continues in narrowing form along the fuselage until it meets the national insignia. Yellow elevators and rudders are also a feature of this livery, but note that all yellow areas must be painted (no decal for this provided).
The third aircraft, without yellow trim, has its own flash of colour though, via the Bulgarian national hues of green, red and white being applied to the rudder. All three examples carry the Bulgarian national marking of a black cross on a white square, on upper and lower wings, and on the fuselage. The airframes in detail are:
White 5, WkNr 5225/7047, 6 th Iztrebitelen Polk, 1/6 Iztrebitelen Orlyak, Marno-Pole airfield, July 1940
White 4, WkNr 5224,/7047, 1/6 Iztrebitelen Orlyak, Karlovo airfield, April 1941
White 6, WkNr 5226/7047, 628. Iztrebitelno Yato of 'Galata' Orlyak, Balchik airfield, November 1941
As with part 1 of this series, Exotic’s instructions are first rate, with colour four-views for each aircraft, colours and markings/history notes, and period photos. The printing of the decals themselves is faultless, and the opacity of the white portions is particularly impressive… yet the decals are still commendably thin.
The schemes are available in 1/48 scale (ED 48005, 10€) and 1/72 (ED 72005, 7€), and are distributed by Poland’s ToRo Model. Visit: www.toro-model.com.pl for more details.
