Messerschmitt Bf 110 G
Detail Sets for Revell's 1/32 kit

J. Rutman, 1/32 scale
 

Reviewed by John Doerr

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com
 

With the rumor mill going full blast about the possible reissue of the Revell 1/32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4, this seems like an appropriate time to look at Jerry Rutman’s resin detail sets for that model.

Jerry, it seems, must have fallen on hard times. He created detail sets for most of the early 1/32 scale German aircraft. With Hasegawa’s current releases of the Bf 109G and K series, the Fw 190 family and now P-47s, the demand for his detail sets must have plummeted.

The Revell 1/32 scale Bf 110 G kit has issues, or perhaps a whole subscription. The cockpit is so sparse, devoid of detail and inaccurate that it is useless except for a starting point for a major scratch building effort. There are problems with the shape of the props and hubs, the fins and the landing gear and wells too. Jerry Rutman has addressed most of the issues in separate detail sets or a combined set that cost 45.00 USD, for North American customers

I will look at 4 areas of improvement. The cockpit set, the prop and hub the fins and rudders and the wheels

Upon opening the box I was impressed by the sets. I had read reviews of some of his products and was prepared for what I expected to find. This far exceeded my expectations. All are cast in a finely detailed, soft, flexible, white resin, the cockpit set contains photo etch rudder pedals and belt buckles as well as a fine cloth mesh for the gunners seat. The pieces show a wealth of detail and are, for the most part suspended in fine flash. The nemesis of most of us, the casting blocks, are almost not present. Please don’t ask me how many finely detailed and fragile parts I have broken removing them from the casting blocks. It appears these sets were engineered for ease removal.

The wheel set consists of two solid main wheels and a tail wheel. The set also includes four main wheel hubs. The main wheels have a recessed center to facilitate the mounting of the hubs.

The prop and hub set consists of six separate paddle blade prop blades as found the 110G series and two spinner covers and backing plates. The backing plates have the prop hubs molded in place with a flat face to butt join the prop blades. On the negative side there is no mechanism to assure the proper angle for all the blades

The fin set consists of two one-piece fin and rudders. They are accurate in outline with delicate recessed panel lines and raised trim tab actuators. The rudders have a more accurate representation of the fabric than the kits fin and rudders.

The cockpit set is a real gem. It has 41 parts that are crisply and delicately molded and detailed. The center of the floor features the cut out for accessing the 20mm guns in the lower fuselage, which are included, as are the right and left ammo tanks and feed chutes. All the “black boxes” which are mounted on the back of the center bulkhead are molded separately. Also included are separate optional FuG 16, 212 and 200 sets, to custom build your particular version

The cockpit set is the only set that features directions and these are hand drawn on one sheet and the average modeler will have no problem understanding them

These sets are an absolute must have if you are going to build the Revell 1/32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 110 G, and by far the easiest sets I have worked with.

Recommended.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The full range of J. Rutman's kits and accessories may be viewed and ordered from his new website at http://www.jrutman.com/

Review and Images Copyright © 2007 by John Doerr
Page Created 29 June, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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