Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2
Weekend Edition

Eduard, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Eduard's 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 Erla is available online from Squadron.com

Eduard has a tradition of releasing "Weekend Edition" versions of established kits that omit photo-etched parts and masks, and are available at a lower price. Eduard released their standalone ProfiPACK edition Bf 109 G-2 with photo-etch and masks last year. This was based on the new and improved tooling that appeared in 2016.

Eduard's new 1/48 scale Bf 109 G-2 Weekend Edition comprises 186 parts in grey plastic, although there are 98 marked "not for use", bringing the total actually used to 88. There are also 14 parts in clear (8 not used), markings for two aircraft and a data / stencil decal sheet

As far as I can tell, the plastic parts in this kit are almost identical to those in the Bf 109 G-2 ProfiPACK kit. The only difference appears to be that there is only one set of wings with this version - those without the wheel bulges.

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Thumbnail panels:

In 2013, Eduard’s Spitfire family set a new benchmark for 1/48 scale surface detail, and their re-tooled G-2, G-4, G-5, G-6 and G-14 kits are equally impressive in this regard. Panel lines are very crisp, fine and even. Lines of rivets are present, but they are incredibly subtle. The rivet lines seem to accurately follow the pattern applied to the full-sized aircraft too.

I was impressed to see that the small scoops on the nose are actually hollowed out - nice! Other raised surface features include the sealing strip between the mid-fuselage and the rear of the engine cowling.

The raised umbrella mounts are moulded under the port side of the cockpit. These should be sliced off if your subject is not a tropical version.

Fabric matches this high standard, with strip and stitching texture beautifully presented on the control surfaces. If you look closely enough, you will even see the zig-zag pinking edges on the fabric strips.

Instead of photo-etched parts for the instrument panel, radiator faces etc, Eduard supplies plastic parts. These will look just fine after painting, but if you're not a fan of painting raised dials on panels, a decal is also supplied as an option. Decals are also provided for the harness straps. You might consider cutting the harness straps out of the sheet including the backing paper. I find that this gives a nice three-dimensional effect that you can't always achieve with the decal applied directly to the seat.

The inclusion of the clear fuel line is a nice touch. The inspection tube may be masked so that it remains clear after painting.

The standard steel pilot’s head armour, the armoured glass “Galland Panzer” and a third pilot's armour plate for the pressurised cockpit with small triangular windows are provided as options for the canopy. Another nice detail touch is the inclusion of handholds on the inside corners of the windscreen.

The wheel wells are nicely detailed and are correctly concave thanks to the bulges moulded to the top of the wings.

Eduard depicts the wheel well sidewalls with the zippered canvas covers at the rear. The fabric texture looks good, and the zipper is represented by a raised line.

The exhausts are supplied in one piece for each side. The centreline weld beads are present, and each of the stacks are hollowed out at the end.

Propeller blades look to be a good shape, with nice pitch collar and hub detail. Two other styles are included. These are for the Bf 109 F and later G versions.

Markings

Markings are supplied for two well-known but varied Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2s:

• Bf 109 G-2, Major Hannes Trautloft, CO of JG 54, Summer 1942. Finished in a n interesting scheme of RLM 02 Grey, Light Green and RLM 70 Black Green upper surfaces over RLM 76 Light Blue lower surfaces with a yellow fuselage band, lower cowl and lower wing tips. I love this scheme and I am tempted to throw the kit together just to paint it up!

• Bf 109 G-2, Hauptmann Horst Carganico, II./JG 5, Finland, May 1943. Finished in mid-war greys with a heavy fuselage mottle.

The two decal sheets are perfectly printed in the Czech Republic. One sheet carries the national markings and unique numbers, chevrons, Gruppe markings, unit insignia and victory markings; while the other has a wide selection of generic stencil markings that will be suitable for mid-war to late-war subjects.

Printing, colours and registration is perfect on my sample.

Eduard's 1/48 scale Bf 109 G-2 is a welcome addition to the Weekend Edition range, representing exceptional value at less than USD$30.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text Copyright © 2018 by Brett Green
Page Created 15 October, 2018
Last updated 16 October, 2018

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