Once it was pretty obvious that the Me-110 wasn't really doing what it was designed to do, and that is protect bombers, the folks at Messerschmitt started looking around for another heavy fighter. Rather than coming to the realization that the heavy fighter was a dead end, it was developing new ones. In this case it was the Bf-109Z, which was made by combining two Bf-109F fuselages together with a new wing center section. The result flew only a few times and was destroyed in a bombing raid.

While the 109Z was being worked on, the designers at Messerschmitt, with obviously nothing better to do, began designing a similar arrangement based on its new Me-309 fighter. Well, the 309 turned out to be a disaster of epic proportions. It was quickly shelved after a few prototypes were built, and efforts were put into the Me-262 instead.

The proposed twin 309, the Me-609, would have been able to carry a pretty respectable bomb load as well as have good range, thanks to the extra space for fuel in the second fuselage. Speed would have been good as well, again, thanks to the power of the two engines and relatively light overall weight. No other structural modification other than the wing and tail center sections was deemed needed.

For those thinking that this was a pretty silly way of building an aircraft, I only have to remind you that when North American Aviation did it to the P-51, it produced the very good long range escort fighter, the F-82, which was built in relatively large numbers for the time.

From what I can see of this kit, it basically takes two Me-309 kits and adds a section of sprue to it for the wing and tail center section. Like all the other Huma kits, it is made of a light grey plastic. It is engraved, though the engraving on this one is a bit heavier than on some other Huma kits. There is some flash on a few parts as well as a sink mark or two, but nothing really great. A number of the parts, like the gear doors, have ejector pin marks on them that will have to be either filled or sanded off. 

There are no optional parts on the kit, nor are there any of the thinner parts as with newer Huma kits. The single transparency is the canopy, which is a bit thick and somewhat distorted, so no need to go into any great detail in the interior. The interior consists of a floor, seat, stick and instrument panel. A pilot is also provided should you want one. A bomb rack is provided on the center section as well as what looks like a 250 kg bomb.

Instructions are basically three exploded diagrams for the three construction steps. No interior color information is given. There is a three view of the aircraft for the camouflage scheme. It is showing an overall RLM 74 airframe with mottles of RLM 75 over the entire aircraft, including the underside. The decal sheet (not shown)is just generic insignia with an instrument panel decal. There is a black 4box square that you are supposed to trim for the swastika. I'll use the spares box. No indication of any nose weight is given, but I'd pack some in there just in case!

Overall, another nice model from Huma and one that just about anyone with any experience can build.

Review kit courtesy of me and my wallet!

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