On the sprues this kit looks a lot like Airfix's new 109, minus the pilot figure and separate flaps. It also lacks the molded-in engine detail that you can find in the Airfix version. However, Airfix's new line-up suffers from soft plastic and poor fit issues, which makes this Tamiya kit the better of the two. The cockpit is wonderfully detailed, including the seat harness decals common to Tamiya kits. The parts go together cleanly and easily. Most importantly, the model looks like the real thing when it's done. The decal options are not very adventurous: you get the same mottled aircraft flown by Franz Elles that Airfix has produced for decades, plus the yellow-nosed plane flown by Helmut Wick during the Battle of Britain, and the two-tone grey aircraft seen on the boxtop. Luckily there are enough 109s on the market that you should have any easy time sourcing replacement markings, if you want to.

I really enjoyed building this kit. The cockpit was very detailed. I am not up to using photo etched parts yet, this kit had several decals for the instrument panel and seat belts. The rest of the kit went together very well without any difficulties.