Messerschmitt Bf109G-6/R6 - 1:72 AZ Models

[woody37]

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.

[sroubos]

Would love to see a Joypack of this.