Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6
Weekend Edition

Eduard ProfiPACK, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

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 two1/48 scale Erla Bf 109 G-6 Weekend Editions back in 2017 - one representing a machine from the Messerschmitt Regensburgg factory and one from Erla.

The Erla factory produced Gustavs had a small bulge below the main machine gun cowl bulge on the starboard side while the Bf 109 G-6s from Messerschmitt's Regensburg factory did not. This kit allows you to build either version with the choice of a generous four marking options. There are decals for three Bf 109 G-6s from Messerschmitt's Regensburg factory and one for an Erla manufactured example.

The exclusive cover artwork for the latest Weekend Edition releases have had an upgrade too, with gorgeous artwork and a glossy finish.

In this Weekend Edition kit, instead of the photo-etched parts contained in the original ProfiPACK, Eduard supplies the instrument panel as a plastic part with an optional decal overlay plus decals for the harness straps. Decals are also included for the oxygen regulator, switches, fuses and more.

Eduard's latest Bf 109 G-6 Weekend Edition comprises 183 parts in grey plastic, 14 parts in clear and markings for two aircraft. Around 80 parts are marked “not for use” this time around, and there are a few optional parts too, so the actual number of parts used is quite modest.

The plastic parts in this kit are identical to those in the recent Bf 109 G-6 kits. This is a good thing.

For more detail on the differences between these re-tooled kits and the original releases from 2014, please see my review of the Bf 109 G-6, Kit No. 82111.

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Thumbnail panels:

The Details

In 2013, Eduard’s Spitfire family set a new benchmark for 1/48 scale surface detail, and their re-tooled G5 and G-6 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.

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. In common with the previous Eduard Bf 109 F/G family, the exhausts are too tall. This is only really apparent on the starboard side as the port exhausts are partially covered by an extended fairing.

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 early G versions.

Markings

Markings are supplied for three Bf 109 G-6s from Messerschmitt's Regensburg factory and one manufactured by Erla:

• Red 13, Bf 109G-6 1/48 - WNr. 27169, flown by Fw. Heinrich Bartels, 11./JG 27, Kalamaki Airfield, Greece, November 1943 (Erla).

• Chevron Triangle, Bf 109G-6 1/48 - flown by Maj. Kurt Ubben, CO of III./JG 77, Foggia, Italy, May 1943. I haven't seen this one before but the tiny fuselage chevrons and the unusual location of the unit badge are very interesting (MTT Regensburgg).

• Chevron Triangle, Bf 109G-6 1/48 - flown by Maj. Ludwig Franzisket, CO of I./JG 27, Fels am Wagram, Austria, early 1944. This is a well known aircraft with a green RV band and white rudder (MTT Regensburgg).

• White 10,  Bf 109G-6 1/48 - flown by Oblt. Alfred Grislawski, CO of 1./JGr. 50, Wiesbaden-Erbenheim Air Base, Germany, September 1943 (MTT Regensburgg).

All options are finished in mid-war shades of RLM 76 Light Blue lower surfaces and RLM 75 Grey Violet and RLM 74 Grey Green upper surfaces.

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, spinner spiral 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.

Printingand registration look good on my sample.

Eduard's 1/48 scale Bf 109 G-6 is another welcome addition to their re-tooled Gustav family, representing exceptional value at less than USD$30.00 - even better with the inclusion of four decal options and upgraded box art.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text Copyright © 2021 by Brett Green
Page Created 27 April, 2021
Last updated 28 April, 2021

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