Now for the build itself.... The scheme is fictional but based off facts and “what-ifs.” No this is not some far fetched dream, this could have happened one of two (or maybe more) ways. Sweden never received the Messerschmitt 109 through purchase or license approval to be built in Sweden though they were in the market to purchase them. The other is based off fact and may have happened to some degree. Two confirmed (and for all we know there could have been a couple more) cases where the Emil 109 landed on Swedish soil, the first was on 10.24.1940 a Bf 109E-3 W.Nr. 0820 that landed but flipped over damaging the top of the fuselage and destroying the top of the rudder. The other was on 02.24.1942, a Bf 109E-4/B W.Nr. 5580 Yellow 25 that belly landed on a frozen lake but would be returned to Norway many days later. This build will go on the fictional path that the E-4 instead of being returned, was interned, written off by the Luftwaffe, repaired by Saab along with the damaged E-3 (which would have been updated to be an E-4) to be tested and flown by the Swedish Air Force for the development of their own fighter (the J21 used the DB605 series engine and first flew in 1943).
Colors:
With a BIG thanks to many here I got the colors narrowed down, paint was ordered to do final testing. These are the colors (through AK Interactive) matched up depending on the builders taste are based off of actual Swedish colors used. The layout of the paint scheme will be similar to that of a J22:
Color match up:
This based off of FS colors is what the colors came up as:
These two is what it will probably be between since Russian Modern Green give a better Euro Olive Green look, depending on how blue the A-18F looks, the fall back will be the RLM76 version 2.
Being a “what-if” build, there will be some slight deviations from a normal Emil with what would be considered “upgrades” to the aircraft. For the most part this will be a simple build focusing more what could have been, though there will be the comparison between the in box parts vs upgraded parts.
The Build:
The start begins in the cockpit. Since I was lacking a seat due to ruining one on another build when making the hole for the seatbelt, I opted for the Brassin seat for the early Friedrich. Reason here, a F-2 was interned in Sweden (this is true, but the after this is the what-if) and the engineers at Saab liked it better for their pilots. Between the more supportive shape of the seat and a better harness for pilot safety, the Emil would be upgraded.
(Note: if you use the Brassin tail wheel, you will need to take out at 1 mm from it’s length. Otherwise it will look like a K model with the height... ok maybe not that tall but the 1 mm does make a difference. Part looks good now!)
Tip: for a closed up build, install the IP with out the backing piece (use it as a guid for the IP installation, just don’t glue that part). This will allow for a perfect fit and no fighting. Also trim the gun mounts as per Eduard instructions. Also install the lower IP below the previously installed IP and set back 1mm. Trim the part the lower IP Eduard instructs you to attach it to (but you won’t actually attach it to it).
Many builds I have had to sand the crap out of the cover for the backside of the IP, this savea A LOT of time!
As for cockpit color, Emils are supposed to be RLM02 though there are instances of an Emil having a cockpit color of RLM66. In this build I will go the RLM66 route, only justification I can give is this airframe was produced in a subcontracted factory or could have been sent back for upgrades at some time. For those trying to build an exact bird, check your references as RLM66 is not common but it did happen.
If you made it to this spot in the reading and wonder why this is not in the GB, well I figured I might as well take all that I have found out with building the 1/48 Eduard Emil and put it all in one place for all wondering eyes to see. And also the info I have found out about WWII Swedish colors so you don’t have to go through all the hurdles to figure it out. I would recommend reading up on the info in regards the history since between the Swedes, the internment fields filled with aircraft, who got the 109 and who didn’t, is all good reads if you are bored and want to kill some time.
Final note before I post an update, yes this build itself has inaccuracies (incorrect seat, scheme not real). Besides giving you tips on building these kits there is fun in letting go and just building as you see fit every once in awhile. The research I have done to “justify” how this could have been, one way or another you end up learning a lot more about your favorite aircraft and other aircraft tied to it (directly or indirectly) in some shape or form. Now if only that 1/48 J21 was still in production or if someone made a nice styrene J22, that would be nice! Anyway, I know this is not everyones cup of tea but for those who can use the information for an Eduard build or looking for Swedish colors, stay tuned!
