Eduard Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4 - 1:48 Eduard WEEKEND

[Julien]

Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4

1:48 Eduard WEEKEND

 

 

 

The Messerschmidt Bf 109 is one of the iconic aircraft of WWII. The F-4 would use the 1332hp DB601E engine which would be fitted with a broader balded propeller for improved altitude performance. The aircraft would carry the new Mauser MG151 20mm cannon with 200 rounds per gun. Production of the F-4 would start in May 1941 and last a year with 1841 examples being built, 576 of these being the tropicalised version.

 

The Kit

Construction starts shockingly enough with the cockpit. Various control wheels and the main control column is added along with the armoured seat back. Following this the seat pan and rudder pedals are added. A full set of photo-etched belts is provided for the pilots seat. Following this side panels and parts are added into the fuselage sides. The instrument panel is made up at this time. Once all of these sub-assemblies are made up they can be placed inside the fuselage and this closed up. As well as the cockpit the tail wheel and exhausts need to be added before the closure takes place. 

 

 

Once the main fuselage is together the intake needs to be added on the side. For the tropical version this will need the additional filter adding as well. Construction then moves to the rear of the main fuselage with the tail planes and rudder being added. All of the control surfaces are separate so can be posed as needed by the modeller.

 

 

 

Next up are the wings. The lower is one part with left and right uppers. The wheel well detail needs to be added into the lower wing and then the uppers can be added on. Once complete the wing assembly is mated with the main fuselage. Next up the leading edge slats and ailerons can be added.  On the underside of the wing the left and right radiators are assembled and added to the wing. The flaps can then be added making sure to get the radiator flaps at the correct angle.

 

 

Moving towards finishing the model the main landing gear units are completed and added to the model. The wheels are a single part with a left and right hub. The gear leg is attached as is the door. The canopy parts can then be added not forgetting the pilots head rest & armour in the main centre part. Last but not least for the main kit the propeller and spinner are added.

 

 

 

 

 

Decals
Decals are in house from Eduard and should pose no issues. There is a main sheet and a supplemental sheet for the stencils, markings are provided for 2 examples;

 

• Bf 109F-4/Z/trop flown by Uffz. F. Schweiger, 6./JG 3, San Pietro, Italy, February 1942.
• Bf 109F-4/Z W. Nr. 13125 flown by Oblt. M. – H. Ostermann, CO of 8./JG 54, A Siverskaya, Soviet Union, Beginning of May 1942.

 

 

 

Conclusion
This is a welcome new F-4 release from Eduard now available in their Weekend edition boxing. Highly recommended.

 

 

 

Review sample courtesy of