Eduard Bf.109G-6 Updates (for Eduard) 1:48

[Mike]

Bf.109G-6 Updates (for Eduard)
1:48 Eduard Photo-Etch, Brassin and Masks

Released to coincide with the new retooling of this late model 109, there are a whole raft of updates from Eduard for those that either want to improve on the detail of this lovely kit, or ease their way by not having seams to fill, or masks to cut. The Brassin sets arrive in the familiar clamshell box, with the resin parts safely cocooned on dark grey foam inserts, and the instructions sandwiched between the two halves, doubling as the header card. The Photo-Etch (PE) and Mask sets arrive in flat resealable packages, with a white backing card protecting the contents and the instructions that are sandwiched between.

With resin, take the precaution of wearing a mask when cutting or sanding it, as the tiny particles are harmful to your health if breathed in. Washing the parts in warm water will also improve the adhesion of paint, as there may still be some moulding release agent on the parts when you receive them.

Be cautious of the older sets we reviewed in 2014, as they are all subtly different, some with improved detail or shape, even though they might look identical on first inspection. The best method of making sure you have the right parts is to use the product codes from the titles.


Cockpit Resin Set (648240)
The long black box contains a full replacement cockpit for the kit from resin, PE, decals (not pictured) as well as clear resin. You have a choice of resin and decal for the instrument panel, or a more detailed lamination of resin, pre-painted PE for the instruments, plus more PE for additional controls. You also have a choice of different shaped cannon breech parts, styles of gunsight, early or late stowage doors behind the pilot, as well as head-armour within the canopy. The kit sidewalls should be removed before construction as well as some small sections nearby, but after that it's pretty straight forward apart from the small PE parts that might make your tongue stick out a bit, but the result is the ultimate in interior detail.

Exhaust Stacks (648247)
Simple drop-in replacements with the revised wider lowers, consisting of two resin backing plates, the exhausts themselves on a single strip, and PE shrouds that either stand out straight, or bend slightly over the lip of the stacks, as per the accompanying scrap diagrams.

Radio Compartment (648239)
The radio gear in a 109 is kept behind the pilot in the fuselage, and this set contains resin and PE parts to replicate this within the kit, showing you where to drill out the fuselage door, giving you a PE replacement for the panel, a new interior skin with ribbing moulded in, which butts up against the moulded-in flange inside the kit fuselage – a nice touch. Within are resin radio boxes, PE wiring and a couple of pre-painted dials for the main panel. The edge of the aperture is lined with a retaining surround to give a scale thickness to the area, inside which you will be able to see the details.

Cannon Pods (648246)
Containing resin and PE parts to create two highly detailed cannon pods with opening side-doors to show off the breech and internal details, with a PE hinge, resin fixtures and a PE template to scribe an additional circular inspection panel on the underside of the wing. The resin barrels have hollow muzzles that are in-scale and have sufficient flex to allow them to resist the inevitable twang during handling.

WGr.21 Rocket Pods (648245)
Developed from the 210mm rockets from the Nebelwerfer 21, these rockets were slung under the outer wings of the 109 at an angle to counter ballistic drop, and a timer to explode at a certain range within the bomber stream. Two resin launch tubes, stand-off legs, protective heat-shielding for the wing in PE, as well as templates to aid the fitting of the legs are included, along with other fittings, launch wiring and suspension lug on the rocket tube and under the wing. The template is 3D and latches onto the tube, with four holes to fit the pins on the legs, resulting in perfect alignment – just don't glue the template to the tubes!

The rockets themselves can be depicted prior to loading, as there are two complete units with PE exhausts included in the box, or in the tub using the supplied tips installed in the tubes, and the PE exhaust glued into the rear of the tube. There is a welding seam running the length of the tubes, as well as rivets that hold the stabilising runners in place on the real thing. A scrap diagram advises you NOT to sand these off, as they are part of the design. Additionally, there are a full page of location diagrams that show how the finished launchers should look under the wings of your model, which should help avoid any errors.

Camouflage Mask Sets (MTT - EX509, Erla - EX510, WNF - EX511)
These kabuki tape masks are aimed at the more complex schemes with wiggly lines and almost "digital" staircase edges from the Messerschmitt Regensburg factory, Erla Maschinenwerke and Wiener Neustädter Flugzeugwerke, the latter staying closer to the standard patterns than the others. Each set takes you through the painting process in a step-by-step manner, showing you which masks will be needed at what point, and where they should be placed. Each set is pre-cut on the usual yellow kabuki tape, and consists of two sheets, one of which has some helpful strips of tape cut to be used around the model.

EX509 – MTT

EX510 – Erla

EX511 – WNF

Spinner Spirals (EX512)
Spinner spirals can be quite intimidating, even in decal form, so a set of masks in flexible kabuki tape could be exactly what the doctor ordered. You get four different types on the sheet, but no instructions, so you'll have to pick the curvature by eye to ensure you get it right.

Additional PE Upgrade Set (48885)
This set is to augment the PE that comes with the Profipak kit, and on one fret includes a radio compartment doors, trunking inserts for the main gear bays where the struts rest, chin intake outlet door, radiator outlet doors, new main gear bay doors, scissor link for the oleo, brake hoses, a raised panel for around the underwing antenna, and a retention strap for the drop-tank. Not a massive set, but it's already a good kit!

SuperFABRIC Seatbelts (49094)
These are the realistically printed belts developed by Eduard's partners HGW Models, which are simple to apply and drape realistically, with two sets on the sheet. The printing has a 3D look to it, and you simply peel them from the backing paper and glue them down with white glue. Avoid CA, as it melts the fabric!

FABRIC Seatbelts (49093)
These are the most realistic belts, but they also require the most effort, as the fabric is laced through the included furniture in the same manner as the real thing. Scrunch up the belts after removing them from the backing paper, cut out the buckles and off you go! Fiddly, but IMHO entirely worth the effort, they're that good.

Review sample courtesy of

[Duncan B]

Lots of nice goodies there to keep us 109 nuts happy, thanks for the review.

Duncan B

[Mike]

Just waiting on the engine now