Combat Set Bf109G-10 vs Spitfire Mk.V: Which to Build First

Quick answer

Build the Messerschmitt Bf109G-10 first. Its compact, angular airframe forgives minor alignment slips and gives you a quick confidence win before you tackle the Spitfire Mk.V, whose elliptical wings and longer nose reward a steadier hand. Both kits live in the same 1:72 Combat Set with 76 parts total, so the order is about skill warm-up, not extra purchases.

What the shared 1:72 scale means for your bench

Both aircraft in the Combat Set are reproduced at 1:72, which keeps the finished pair close in wingspan and easy to display as a dogfight duo. The trade-off is that small scale hides less: every seam, ejector-pin mark and slightly misaligned wing root shows up under a close look. Work in good light and dry-fit the fuselage halves before committing glue.

A 1:72 fighter also means you can paint and finish each model in a single evening session once assembly is done. If you usually build larger scales, expect the cockpit and landing gear to feel delicate rather than complex.

Bf109G-10: the quicker, more forgiving first build

The Bf109G-10 has a short, boxy fuselage and straight wing panels, so clamping and taping are straightforward and gaps are easier to fill cleanly. That geometry makes it the better warm-up: you learn how the kit's plastic behaves without fighting long, curved seams.

Its compact shape also means fewer places for a beginner to lose alignment. If you want a finished model on the shelf this weekend, start here.

Spitfire Mk.V: the more demanding second build

The Spitfire Mk.V's elliptical wings and longer nose are the reason to build it second. Curved wing roots need even pressure along the whole joint, and the nose section rewards patient test-fitting before glue. Get it right and the silhouette is the more elegant of the two; rush it and the wing joints will show.

Because both models share the same 1:72 scale and box, you can carry over the lessons from the Bf109G-10 directly: same plastic, same tools, same paint workflow.

How to sequence the two builds without stalling

Build one aircraft at a time rather than opening both sets of sprues at once. Finish and paint the Bf109G-10, then start the Spitfire Mk.V while the first model cures. This keeps your bench clear and stops small parts from the two kits getting mixed.

If you plan to display them as a combat pair, decide the stand or base before you finish the second model, so both sit at a consistent angle.

Where this Combat Set fits against other kits

If you want a break from aircraft, the Model Set Unimog 404 S offers a very different build with a detailed chassis and driver's cab, and the titanic-d207cda87698894b2c440c5e-1572285">Model Set R.M.S. Titanic trades speed for a long, linear assembly. The Combat Set sits in the middle: two subjects, modest part count, quick payoff.

For a single-car project with anniversary appeal, the Gift set "50 years of VW Golf 1 GTi" is another option, but it does not give you the two-aircraft display that makes this set distinctive.

Trade-offs to weigh before you start

• Build order: Starting with the Bf109G-10 gives you a simpler airframe to learn the kit's fit and plastic, while saving the Spitfire Mk.V's curved wings for when your glue control has warmed up. Warm-up first, showcase second.
• Detail versus pace: The 76-part total across two 1:72 aircraft keeps each model modest, so you trade maximum interior detail for a faster, lower-risk build. Expect a weekend project, not a month-long one.
• Display value: The pair reads best as a matched dogfight scene at the same scale, which is stronger than displaying either model alone. Plan the base or stand before finishing the second kit.
• Skill stretch: The Spitfire Mk.V's elliptical wing roots and longer nose are the harder joints in the box, so treat it as the step up rather than the starter. Dry-fit the wing roots twice before gluing.

Product facts

• Combat Set Messerschmitt Bf109G-10 - Spitfire Mk.V: Combat Set Messerschmitt Bf109G-10 & Spitfire Mk.V, 1:72 scale, 76 parts total. One box gives you two complete fighters and a natural side-by-side display, so the build order is the only real decision.
• Model Set Unimog 404 S: Model Set Unimog 404 S with a very detailed chassis and driver's cab, plus two authentic 1961 and 1975 unit markings. A useful change of subject if you want a vehicle build with more mechanical detail instead of a second aircraft.

Who should start with which kit

Best for

• Builders who want two 1:72 WWII fighters from one box
• Beginners who want a forgiving first aircraft before a curved-wing subject
• Anyone planning a matched dogfight display

Not for

• Builders who want a single large-scale, high-detail aircraft
• Modelers looking for extensive interior or engine detail
• Anyone who prefers vehicles or ships over aircraft