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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