Messerschmitt Bf109G-6, Eduard 1/48 (2016 re-tooled kit No.82111)

Less than two years after the long internet saga of the Eduard’s initial (2014) release (kit no.8268 was found to be in fact a bit oversized, with dimension errors in some parts, like wingspan 8mm longer that it should be and fuselage few milimetres too long as well), Eduard created a new tool, eradicated the flaws and made a completely new kit available (new catalog number 82111), which is definitely correct, and full of details – in fact the best Bf109G in this scale! Added to this, the fit is perfect, and the decals thin and nicely printed. (Perhaps it was no coincidence that the initial kit had the bad… luck No.13 painted on the box cover and the new tool has a new art by Shigeo Koike and an aircraft with No.20 on the fuselage!)

Construction started with the cockpit, with the basic color being RLM66 (Gunze H416). The various photoetched parts included in the kit box give a boost to the detail, with seat belts, control panel with dials, and more details for the side walls. The landing gear was painted with RLM02, using Gunze H70, as well as the interior areas of the flaps, slats and oil coolers underneath the wings. Only a little putty was used, mainly at the lower joint of the wings and the fuselage, and the kit was quickly ready to get painted.

The scheme is the classic combination of RLM 74, 75 and 76, with mottle at the side of the fuselage. The main colors were painted using Gunze acrylics (codes H68, H69 and H417 respectively), and masks made of Tamiya tape. All the colors were fainted using lighter shades and the airbrush. We used Gunze H30 diluted with Levelling thinner to give a gloss finish before applying the decals and the dark wash which showed up the finely engraved details. Some chipping was added at areas such as the wing roots and the leading edge of the wings and the propeller, using a small bit of a sponge and Humbrol 56 (aluminium metallic). The final finish was achieved with several light passes with Modelmaster’s lacquer matt varnish, and after that we added the exhaust stains with Humbrol pigments. The antenna was added using Infini models’ lycra rigging, and the model was ready, offering a nice result with a little effort! For those that seek superdetailing, there are some Eduard Brassin sets available, offering new cockpit, engine and more details.