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Hi all! Here's my Hobbyboss Bf109G-6 in 1/48- one of their easy-assembly offerings and a pretty nice kit for the price. A rare foray into props for me. WIP can be found here: I have two luftwaffe builds lined up for the Go Large GB but I rarely build props and I've never tried a mottled scheme so trying to get some practice in. This is my first attempt at mottling and I'm pretty happy with the result considering the airbrush I have is quite basic. As for the kit it was decent, not as beginner friendly as their P-51 or P-47 easy assembly 1/48 kits but considering its half the price of the Tamiya G-6 kit I don't have many complaints. Painted with Vallejo acrylics, Vallejo panel line wash and weathered with AK Interactive pencils. Here are the photos: Thanks for looking in!

I finally finished two of the three AZ JoyPack kits which I had in the stash for quite some time. At the time of purchase I was not aware of the cowling issues, but I tackled these by following a forum thread of Barry Numerick's excellent build process. The G-2 is Ion di Cezare's mount with (not quite correct) Print Scale decals. Cheers, Luka

Hello guys, here's my most recently complete modem, Academy's bf 109G-2 in 1:48. Decals were from Cartograf.

This is the first completed model this year. This aircraft was used in the 1950s at the time of the Trieste Crisis. Compared to the original model, I replaced the propeller, spinner and tail wheel, because for the aircraft used in the Yugoslav Air Force, those parts need to be replaced. Here are the pictures, enjoy.

Hi all, Thought I'd share my recently completed model. First time trying out mottling and boy its a challenge. I used a variety of Gunze and Tamiya paints. I chose to paint the blue band instead of using the decal so I could have a bit of a fade effect on it. I really love the simplicity of Tamyia kits and the detail. I think their new pilot figures look really neat too. I can't wait for more BF109 variants. Hope you like the pics!

Being at least partly responsible for creating what is now an 18-month old little chap, part of my fatherly remit obviously encompasses the finer points of aircraft identification. The trio below are all from the defunct Airfix 'Mini Kits' series of 1/100 unassembled, but pre-painted kits. I'm happy to report that 'Spitfire' is already a (very repetitive at the moment) part of his vocabulary. Exactly what to teach him as regards the FW is currently a matter of debate. cheers, Jason

Howdy folks. I'm going to build a newer Airfix kit in 1:72 It's just another cheap one to have some fun and try and master a few new techniques. This time I'm really going to try improving my own finishing skills and also try and make my forum a bit more informative along the way. Okay here's the box art with the actual version I'll be doing There's 3 light grey sprues with a clear sprue with 2 canopies. There's a total of 41parts but take out one canopy you won't use that makes 40, take out 2 wheels with wheels covers for the undercarriage up option, that leave 38 parts, take out some underwing rocket option that I won't be using that's made up of 5 parts and there's 2 of them means I have grand total of about 28 pieces to assemble this whole thing!! Oh...nearly forgot...take out a 2 piece underbelly bomb or drop tank option and now there's only 26 parts to worry about!!! There's not a huge amount of detail, there's some recessed panel lines, the cockpit is non existent and the pilot I was going to add in for interest looks weirder than a 3 dollar bill and I think more akin to a 1960's Russian Mig pilot than a 1948 Finnish one! Have a look! Hopefully I've got something else in the spare parts box that's more appropriate!!....I have no idea why that photo is so small and no matter what I do I can't change it!. Hopefully you get the idea LOL Here's the clear parts Here's the decals. I'm using the funky bat ones and the sharks mouth......always a sucker for the sharks mouth thing The other versions are a German and an Italian one. I was interested in the Italian version as well but the other versions really needed an airbrush and since I don't have one I thought "well......that pretty much makes the decision for me" Also note the Italian decals are incorrect and the upper wing markings are identical when in fact they should "mirror" each other.....not seen mistake before on a decal sheet before from Airfix These are the instructions for the paint scheme I'll be doing. Well that's about it. At least you now know what I'm tackling......should be pretty easy....says the bloke who just about destroyed his 1:72 Airfix Corsair in his last post!! Watch this space...

Messerschmitt BF109G-6/R6 AZ Models - 1:72 The Messerschmitt BF109 hardly needs an introduction. With nearly 34,000 built in 10 years, it is one of the most widely produced aircraft in history. Starting out in 1935, whilst broadly similar to the Spitfire in layout, monocoque construction and V12 engine, the engine is in fact inverted and famously fuel injected which in the early war years gave some advantage in combat over its British rivals which were carburettor fed. Initially designed as a lightweight interceptor, evolution led it to a variety of needs including bomber escort, fighter bomber, night fighter, ground attack and reconnaissance. Whilst the BF109E or ‘Emil’ is probably the most famous variant due to its involvement in the Battle of Britain, the G ‘Gustav’ which was first produced in 1942 was a quite extensively modified airframe and wing to accommodate a more powerful engine, greater internal fuel and armour. It was a dedicated reconnaissance / intercept aircraft. Whilst early 109’s were powered by engines delivering less than 700hp, some Gustav’s were pushing out nearly 2000hp with water injection and high performance superchargers. Within the Gustav series was quite an array of sub variants. Lack of standardisation was an issue that caused problems in the field as well as the ability to mass produce under wartime conditions. Some notable visual variations within the ‘G’ range included larger tail of wooden construction, odd number suffixed aircraft had pressurised cockpits for high altitude operation, Erla Haube clear view canopy with clear rear head armour, underwing points for tanks, cannon or rockets and larger main wheels resulting in ‘square’ fairings on the inner upper wings to accommodate them. The engine cowlings also had some obvious variations resulting from the supercharger and weapon set up hidden beneath. An obvious one is the Beule blisters found on each side of the cowling ahead of the cockpit to cover the gun breaches. The K series 109 was the final variant introduced in the effort to create a standardised 109 taking all of the improvements that had materialised throughout the aircrafts development. The kit Before I start this review, I’ll admit that I’m not a 109 expert , particularly with the G variant and it’s many sub variants. Having never built an AZ kit, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but on opening the box, I was immediately impressed with the quality of the kit. What was strikingly obvious on the two grey sprues was a variety of options included and well as some beautiful surface detailing. As well as these sprues, you get a full colour A4 fold out instruction manual and two decal sheets, the larger one holding the markings, with a smaller one holding the many stencils found on the aircraft. Assembly starts with the cockpit as you might guess. Despite the small size, there is plenty of detail to cram in there. Excellent painting guides are included within the instruction booklet. The exhausts are shown as being inserted from inside the fuselage prior to closing up which for some may be not ideal if you prefer to paint your exhausts before fitting. Looking at the design, it might be possible to affix a plate to the inner surfaces of the fuselage slots and with a bit of fettling, attach the exhausts from outside in a more conventional manner if this is a concern for you. With the cockpit assembled and affixed to one of the fuselage halves, the fuselage is ready for closing up. There has been some debate about the fuselage profile on the '72nd Scale Aircraft' website and the comments made were that the depth of the fuselage at the front section of the wing was too shallow by just under 1mm causing the profile of the cowling under the engine to look slightly horizontal. I checked the parts against some drawings and do agree with the comments made there, however comment is also made that the Fine Mould dimensions at this point are the same and this is regarded as an excellent kit. The fuselage halves have two location pins at extreme ends to assist line up of the parts. Next step is the wings. Some care and attention needs to be taken moving forwards with the construction due to generic instructions giving steps for different variants and the number of options contained. Some modification is required to certain kit parts too, in the case of this variant, you are required to sand a taper into the rear radiator faces. This is probably better done once fitted into place to ensure you don’t overdo it. It’s worth noting at this point the options contained within the kit (although most not used): • Standard and large tail / rudder • Beule blisters • Tailplanes – 2 options • Nose gun covers – 2 options • Tail wheels – 3 options • Main wheels – 2 options • Supercharger intake – 2 options • Propellers – 2 options • Square main wheel fairings for upper wings • Underwing 20mm cannon packs The radiator covers are moulded into the lower wing. This is superbly done, with the intake slot finely reproduced. Surface detail is finely recessed with rivets and panel lines. The radiator exit flaps can be positioned in either the open or closed positions. The undercarriage has separate legs and doors, again with moulded in detail that will show up well after a panel wash. The main wheels for this variant are the standard ones, not the larger ones contained as an option. With the rear armour fitted to the cockpit, the canopy can be fitted. Again, reports from those who have built the kit indicate the canopy is a fraction narrow on the fit to the fuselage, however having seen the stunning build by Libor on Britmodeller (see link below), I won’t be too concerned when I build mine. Given the excellent detail in the cockpit, an open canopy option would have been welcome to show it off. That said, the moulding is beautifully clear. http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234951287-messerschmitt-bf-109g-6r6-172-az-model/ It won’t take long before the remaining parts are in place due to the simplicity in the kit to assemble. A good portion of the parts included are options. The decals Four Bf109G-6/R6 schemes are included in the kit and an additional sheet of stencils is included. Print is very sharp. Scheme 1 – 1./JG.302, Helsinki – Malmi, Finland, March ‘44 Scheme 2 – Stab 1./JG27, Fels am Wagram, Austria, May ’44 – flown by Ludwig Franzisket Scheme 3 – 8./JG54, Luneburg, Germany, Spring ’44 – flown by Gunter Sahl Scheme 4 – 11./JG27, Kalamaki Airfield, Athens, Autumn ’43 – flown by Heinrich Bartels Conclusion Whilst there has been some criticism of the forward fuselage profile in this kit, it really is a beautifully detailed rendition that can be favourably compared to the Fine Molds Gustav which is highly regarded. AZ have released a number of G versions recently giving Bf109 fans some great choices. Kit construction is quite straight forwards, although some care is necessary in studying the instructions before commencing. Sample courtesy of AZ Models Etch & Masks to compliment the kit If you’re wanting improve the kit, a pre-painted etch set is available to enhance the cockpit detail. This includes a replacement rear armoured headrest, seatbelts and panel. If you don't like cutting your masks out, then they also supply a canopy and wheel mask set too. Both the early framed canopy and Erla Haube canopy types are included.

Photo-Etch Detail Set for Italeri BF109G-6 Eduard 1:72 If you're looking for a 1/72 BF109G, there isn't a shortage of kits to choose from with Revell, Airfix, Hobby Boss, Academy, Hasegawa and Italeri all having their own take on it. Each one has its own merits and that's for another and probably quite interesting review. This set is aimed at the Italeri kit, although I know of others using the set for other kits, so the possibilities are there if you choose. There are two options available here, the first being the comprehensive pack 73434 and the second being the Zoom pack SS434. One of the challenges with a 1/72 injection moulded BF109 is the limitation of the moulding process on such a small scale so an addition of resin or etch (or both) is going to offer greater abilities to detail the kit. Eduard Photo-Etch Detail set 73434 Two frets are contained in the pack, the first being a self adhesive pre-painted one, the second being unpainted. Building the cockpit starts with removing the moulded detail on the side walls and replacing it with the two plates supplied. These are then built up with various parts such as the throttle quadrant, canopy locking lever and trim wheels and links which are all brilliantly formed and painted. The instrument panel is made up of no less than 4 parts giving a good 3D effect, with a further two parts building up the gunsight that fits to the panel. The whole cockpit interior is provided for in etch form. The floor and rear bulk head is one piece folded to shape with the etch seat, further detail and armour fitted to it. I should imaging that fitting the etch floor into the fuselage requires some patience to make sure that it locates correctly. Perhaps making some location tabs to hold it in place will assist before joining the fuselage up. Finally, with all the detail in place and the fuselage closed up, seatbelts can be located in place finishing the enhancements to the cockpit tub. Further framework and armour enhancements are provided for the canopy interior. These are very small parts, so some skill will be required to manipulate them, but you will be left with a rear armoured glass panel (using the supplied clear film) in the canopy as well as the hinge which will form a gluing point to leave the canopy open....and why wouldn't you after adding all this detail ? The undercarriage bays and radiators get the same intensive treatment as the cockpit. Removal of the kit wheel well detail will be necessary to fit the new parts, but well worth it. The replacement bay panels have a nicely riveted texture to them giving a greatly enhanced scale accuracy. The kit radiators require removal and the whole trailing edge is replaced with an etch part folded through 180 degrees with the opening mechanism and strengtheners attached. The undercarriage doors are replaced by much more scale accurate etch parts. A great touch is the inclusion of formed brake lines and attachment plate that fits to the rear of the wheel hubs. A few exterior enhancements are provided in the set too. The brackets for the enlarged engine intake on the side of the nose as well as exhaust shrouds add a great touch as do the fin reinforcement brackets for the bomb tail. Eduard Photo-Etch Zoom Set SS434 This is the single fret option that focuses on the cockpit interior. Here, you the self adhesive pre-painted fret giving a budget option to choose from. Conclusion I'm not sure how popular the Italeri kit is, certainly, there are newer kits on the market and the Airfix kit seems to be popular, but if you have an Italeri kit in the stash and want an excuse to dig it out, then this could be the excuse you've been waiting for. I can only commend Eduard for catering for such a wide variety of kits, indeed they also look after the other 1/72 BF109G kits too. There are some small and delicate parts to this set, so a sharp pair of tweesers will be vital in getting them most out of it. With that in mind, I'm confident that your 109G will be transformed and left looking much more scale accurate Review sample courtesy of