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Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 Weekend Edition - 1:72 Eduard


Julien

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Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 Weekend Edition

1:72 Eduard


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The Messerschmitt Bf110 was designed to fulfil a German Air Ministry requirement for a long-range, twin-engined fighter aircraft, or zerstörer which was issued back in 1934. Following the prototypes first flight in 1936, it beat off competing designs from Arado, Focke-Wulf and Henschel and was in service by the time war broke out three years later. Fitted with the same engines as the Bf 109E, the Bf 110 was a powerful aircraft and was very well armed in comparison to its counterparts.

Despite early successes in Poland, the inadequacy of the Bf 110 as an out-and-out fighter was exposed by the RAF during the Battle of Britain. Heavy losses resulted, mainly as a result of the aircrafts lack of manoeuvrability. This aspect of the design was not improved to any degree in later versions, and for this reason the Bf 110 found itself increasingly utilised in other roles such as fighter bomber, and night fighter. The aircraft was particularly successful in this last role, mainly due to its stability and heavy armament. The Bf 110G-4 was one of the last variants and was equipped with powerful DB605B engines and the Liechtenstein radar set. New armament was fitted in the form of 30mm MK 108 cannons. Overall the heavy weapons fitted to the night-fighter versions would take a toll on RAF heavy bombers. These versions of the 110 would serve right up until the end of the war.

The Kit
Eduard seem to have built up a successfully business model where by they offer basically the same excellent plastic in different boxes for different markets. You can get profiPACK boxings which provide multiple decal options, extra photo etched arts, masks and sometimes resin; then the "Weekend" boxings which only have one decal option and no extras. They are getting maximum exposure among modellers who want the full meal deal and those who dont.

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The weekend Edition arrives inside a sturdy box with a colour illustration showing the only decal option. Inside are seven sprues moulded in a grey coloured plastic. The quality of the plastic parts appears to be excellent. The mouldings are clean and crisp and there are no traces of flash or sink marks. Eduard have packed in plenty of detail such as the cockpit sidewalls and radio sets which are comparable to resin items. The surface detail on the outside of the airframe is also top notch. It is comprised of recessed panel lines, delicately engraved rivet and fastener detail which looks absolutely superb. The fineness of some parts, in particular the radar parts is quite something. They will need careful removal but I am sure will provide an excellent result.

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Construction starts with the extensive cockpit area. Parts are provided for the seats, control column, radios, upward & rear firing guns with separate ammunition magazines. The detail is so good here I cant see why you would want the PE in the profipack boxing.

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The next step is the construction of the wings. The arrangement here is typical of a lot of kits with a one part bottom wing to which the top surfaces are attached. The five part engine nacelles are made up and attached to the wings at this time.

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Following this additional parts are added to the cockpit areas inside the main fuselage halves and the cockpit is added. Once the fuselage is buttoned up it is attached to the wings. Once this is done the nose and tail planes are added to the completed fuselage/wing parts. The complex arrangement of glazing is now added. Eight parts make up the canopy and the entrance areas can be posed open.

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Lastly in the finishing straights the underwing radiators, landing gear, and various aerials are added to the completed airframe. Lastly the propellers and exhausts are added, along with the external fuel tanks and the very fine nose radar antenna. The nose radar antenna contains eight very fine parts and will be take some time to get right. The profipack kit contains a guide to make the antenna in sheet metal, a copy of this even in thin card would have been welcome in this kit!

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Canopy
The extenive glazing for the kit is provided on one large sprue, there are parts from other versions on here so care is needed to select the right parts. The are very well moulded, clear and free from any problems.

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Decals
As its the Weekend edition only one marking option is provided. Bf 100G-4 flown by Hptm A Breves, Ofhr W Telsnig & Uffz A Ofers. Stab 11./NJG1, Dusseldorf AB, Germany Dec 1944.

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Conclusion
Eduards Messerschmitt Bf110 series is the definitive family of kits of this type by a fair margin. The level of detail they have packed in is superb and the engineering is excellent. Having seen their 1:48 kits its good to see the same level of excellence scaled down to the one true scale! For half the retail price of the profipack this will appeal to modellers on a budget and those who don't like all the add ones

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Review sample courtesy of logo.gif

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