The SIG Messerschmitt Bf-109 ARF is a sport scale model, not
necessarily based on any particular full-scale variant.
The
covering is printed with color and markings representing typical
German aircraft of the era, including details such as panel lines
and national markings. The builder can add unit markings and
other details of his own choice to make a convincing replica of this
great German warplane.
The recent and rapid development of super-efficient brushless
electric motors and lithium polymer batteries have made electric
powered aircraft, such as the Bf-109, a practical reality.
Our
prototype Bf-109 models have proven to be outstanding R/C
aircraft, both in terms of looks and performance. We have flown
our own prototypes a great deal and can report that they are solid
flying models with honest flight characteristics. When powered
with an appropriately sized brushless outrunner motor swinging
the recommended propeller, the airplane will have a wide speed
range and be capable of some very nice scale fighter plane type
aerobatics. While the SIG Bf-109 ARF is a comfortable model to
fly, we do not recommend it for a first R/C model. But we can and
do recommend the Bf-109 as your first electric warbird.
This assembly manual will guide you through each assembly step
in detail and is further enhanced with photos that visually assist
you with each step. It is important that you follow the provided
construction sequence to achieve the best results.
Reference Material:
SIG Manufacturing Company, Inc. wishes to gratefully
acknowledge the excellent reference materials listed below:
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt Bf 109
• http://www.axishistory.com/index.php?id=1154
• "The Great Planes", by James Gilbert, Published by Grossett &
Dunlap, 1970
Specifications:
Imperial
Metric
Wing Span:
48 in.
1219 mm
Wing Area:
396 sq. in.
25.52 dm
2
Length:
42.5 in.
1079 mm
Flying Weight:
60 oz.
1700 g
Wing Loading:
21.8 oz./sq. ft.
66.6 g/dm
2
Motor:
Brushless, 300 to 400 watt
ESC Required:
Brushless type to suit motor & battery pack
Battery Pack Required: 3-Stack 3300 mAh Lithium Polymer Pack Typical
Radio Required:
4 Channel w/ Hitec 2-HS55 and 2-HS81
servos or equivalent
Order Number:
SIGRC102ARF
ITEMS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS KIT:
• Radio System - 4-channels, with 4 micro servos (Hitec HS-55 &
HS-81 used & shown in this manual)
• Appropriate servo extensions
(see Radio Systems section for specifics)
• Brushless Motor
(see Power System section for recommendations)
• Brushless Speed Control
(see Power System section for recommendations)
• Lithium Polymer Battery Pack
(see Power System section for
recommendations)
• Propeller
(see Power System section for recommendations)
• Motor mounting bolts, sized for your particular motor
• Dremel
®
Tool with a variety of sanding bits
• An assortment of screwdrivers
R
1
Messerschmitt Bf-109 ARF ASSEMBLY MANUAL
INTRODUCTION:
The prototype, Messerschmitt Model 109, first took to the air in
mid-September of 1935 and its performance was nothing short of
spectacular! Small, powerful, and fast, Willy Messerschmitt's
Model 109 surely had a date with destiny.
Based on many of the design concepts of the earlier Model 108
Taifun, the Model 109 was exceptionally well constructed and
aerodynamically clean. The concept behind the 109 was to place
the smallest and cleanest airframe possible behind the most
powerful engine available at the time. This resulted in an aircraft
that had many positive attributes, as well as a few negatives. One
of these negatives was the weight of the airplane versus its
relatively small wing. This created a high wing loading, especially
in comparison to its eventual foes. In an attempt to keep the weight
as low as possible, the retractable landing gear pivoted outward
toward the wingtips, keeping the main wing spar weight down. But
as a result, the splayed, close-tracked landing gear would plague
the design for the rest of its operational life. All of this aside, the
Model 109 can truly be called one of the first modern fighter
aircraft of the era.
The Bf-109 was ultimately manufactured in greater numbers than
any other aircraft in history - over 30,000 units between 1939 and
1945.
It was manufactured in Germany, Czechoslovakia, and
Spain. To keep the airplane competitive in combat, it went through
many modifications and remained the Luftwaffe's primary fighter
aircraft throughout WWII.
Used in a wide variety of combat
missions, the Bf-109 served as an air superiority fighter, a bomber
escort, an interceptor, a ground attack aircraft, and in high-speed
reconnaissance missions.
But in its primary role as an air
superiority fighter, the Bf-109 was truly a formidable aircraft. In
fact, at one time or another, every top scoring German fighter ace
flew Bf-109's. Notably, Erich Hartmann, with a combat record of
352 enemy aircraft shot down, always flew a Bf-109, refusing to fly
any other aircraft.
In historical terms, the Bf-109 will always be best remembered for
its role in the Battle of Britain, forever being compared to its
closest adversary of the time, the Supermarine Spitfire. While
these comparisons rage on to this day, it's fair to say that both of
these fine aircraft were among the best of their day.