Kotare Bf109K-4 "White 5" 1./NJG11

IainM · December 28, 2025

Greetings all

Just started on the Kotare Bf109K-4. Although I have a couple of other kits from Kotare, this is my first build of the brand.

Having seen the test kits built up and other builds, I was expecting good things, but wow, this takes it all to a new level at the moment. The detail is astounding, and the bit of assembly and dry-fitting I've done so far is just phenomenal. I don't want to count my words yet, but if this is a kit that needs any filler or serious remedy at all, it's going to be down to my "operator error".
What really astounds me is the quality of the actual plastic. It's like the story of Goldilocks and the 3 bears....not too hard, not too soft, but just right! I can't think of any kit I've built so far that I've drooled over the quality of the actual plastic...no, not even Tamiya - and that itself is a joy to work with.

I'm not going to be using the kit markings, but will be using the AML markings for a K-4 "White 5" from 1./NJG11 found at Holzkirchen, in May 1945 - night fighter of course!

I haven't decided yet whether to use the decals - which look like they have a wonderfully thin carrier film, or use them as a template for home-cut masks. We shall see...

I've made a start on some of the sub-assemblies just to get my head back into the game after a few months hiatus after moving houses

The only thing I've reworked so far is the compressor intake - redoing the weld seam using stretched sprue, and scribing the intake ring onto it.

I'm still very undecided whether to rivet the airframe. As the main colour is RLM 76 with a bit of mottling, it'll probably provide some nice contrast with the rivet lines, but the Germans also tended to fill rivets and smooth panel joints as well, so might be wasted bench time. Time will tell!

Cheers
Iain

Greif8 · December 28, 2025

I'll be following with interest Iain. I got this kit was a christmas present and I plan to build it in the coming year.

Ernest

monthebiff · December 28, 2025

Nice choice of colour scheme Iain, looking foward to watching your progess on this one and a good choice of kit to blow the cobwebs of with.

Regards. Andy

IainM · December 30, 2025

Quick update - no rivets on this kit, I did a few lines on the underside, on proper rivet lines according to line drawings - where they won't be seen using both my Rosie and an awl, and have decided that I'm not going to chance me messing up this kit :unsure: . I prefer the HGW stuff for rivets anyway (I've used a few of their rivet decal sets for 109's on other kits - and those are marvelous, bit of a sanding and it pops the silver rivets out), perhaps they'll one day do a set for the Kotare K-4?.

One thing that will be replaced are the Mg131 tips - I have a few sets of the Master versions lying around, and will deffo use a set on this kit - a worthwhile upgrade!
Just waiting for my mate to get back from the UK (he is collecting some goodies from Hannants for me, the HGW seatbelts for the K-4 being one of the items). However, I'll probably start getting some paint down on the cockpit in the next few days.

I've had a play with the entire kit dry-fitted using some tape only.......I am gob-smacked to say the least. The fit is just outstanding. I almost feel guilty building this thing - it's a weird thing knowing that a kit probably won't be throwing you any curveballs at all!

The only injector pin marks I have to fill are those on the main u/c oleo - that's it!! Crazy!

Cheers
Iain

Greif8 · December 30, 2025

I own a pretty nice riveter and may finally give it a work out with this kit Iain.

Ernest

IainM · December 30, 2025

8 hours ago, Greif8 said:

I own a pretty nice riveter and may finally give it a work out with this kit Iain.

Ernest

I've got both Rosie's and the Galaxy riveters....but don't want to mess the kit up :lol:

Greif8 · December 31, 2025

15 hours ago, IainM said:

I've got both Rosie's and the Galaxy riveters....but don't want to mess the kit up

I have the Galaxy set as well Iain.

Ernest

IainM · January 10

I won't bore anyone with in-depth construction as it has been covered by other modellers out there, but here is my progress on the K-4 so far
IP from Kotare is just superb. Yes, quite fiddly with the individual decals, but they all performed flawlessly, except for one I managed to fold over on itself...operator error

Excuse the dust all over the build.... :lol:

The colour call-outs and the instructions make painting this thing a breeze!

Moulded detail in the gear bays is great!

Some sub-assemblies done and were waiting to be attached once the cockpit was completed and I could get the fuselage together. Waiting on HGW belts at that stage..

The belts finally arrived, so I could get them installed and the tub buttoned up in the fuselage. The engineering Kotare did to get this kit to fall together is nothing short of superb!

U/C bays look great in the wings!

Wings all ready to be attached to the fuselage.

Spent a couple of hours this evening attaching wings to fuselage, filling some joint seams, popping on the horizontal and vertical stabilizers. The glue is currently drying on the bottom engine access panel, that was the last big piece to be attached. Nice to build a kit every once in a while that doesn't fight you in the least!!

monthebiff · January 10

Nice cockpit Iain and as you rightly say just a pleasure to build. Looking fowaed to seeing this one come together.

Regards. Andy

Greif8 · January 10

Superb work Iain! This kit looks like it is a real pleasure to build.

Ernest

IainM · January 14

The only "hmmm" moment I've had so far with this kit. I know it's not a biggie in the scheme of things, and I most likely don't understand the limitations of moulding, etc, but an ejection gate attachment on the clear part of the gunsight? The seam as well is unfortunate, but I'm being very picky ^_^

My go-to masks these days, the ones from ArtScale. In my opinion, way better than any other brand out there, they are laser cut (not just lines on sheet you have to cut out yourself and I've never had to trim one to make it fit. Bravo to them!

If I was the model police, I would insist that every kit comes standard with HGW belts and ArtScale masks!!! :coolio:

Getting the bits and pieces attached..wing to fuselage fit is near-perfect!!

Front armoured glass panel and Revi sight in place

Hood masked and painted RLM66 inside and out

and the inside after the masks removed and the armoured headrest put in place

Hopefully I managed to blow out all of the dust etc out of the cockpit and clean the interior of all the glazing properly, because it's too late now if I didn't :lol:
A little bit of sanding to do on the starboard side, just to match up the forward portion of the clear part (below the windshield portion) with the fuselage side. That's more likely my ham-fistedness, but it should really only take a few swipes of a standing stick to sort that out.