Messerschmitt Bf 109 G Upgrade Set

for the new Revell kit

Alley Cat, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Revell's 1/32 scale Bf 109 G-6 is available online from Squadron.com

Revell's new 1/32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 Early and Late Version kit must qualify as one of the best value releases of 2013. It is accurate in outline, well detailed and offers a wide range of options that allow it to be built as anything from an early production Bf 109 G-6 with framed canopy and standard tail, to a late G-14 with Erla clear canopy and tall tail.

However, as pointed out in reviews and build articles, the model does suffer from a number of baffling errors and strange engineering decisions.

Alistair from A2Zee Models has wasted no time in coming up with a one-stop solution that addresses all the major concerns.

Aleey Cat's 1/32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G Upgrade Set comprises 47 resin parts (plus some spare scoops and exhaust stacks), one small photo-etched fret and two pages of instructions.

Working from the nose backwards, the first inclusion is a total replacement spinner and propeller assembly. The spinner is cleverly cast in one-piece for the cap and the base, which will make it possible to paint or decal a spinner spiral even before the propeller blades are fitted. Of course, this new spinner also means that you won't have to fill the inconvenient join line one-third the way up the kit spinner.

Another benefit is that the propeller blades my be secured with external pins, inserted from the back of the spinner base. The shape of the propeller blades looks correct too - much better than the kit-supplied parts.

Next is a replacement oil cooler housing. This captures the subtle curves of the real thing.

Small cooling intake scoops are also provided to replace the solid lumps moulded to the kit cowling.

An improved supercharger intake is also a big improvement in terms of shape and detail. It features raised weld beads cast in place - don't sand these off!

One of the most obvious errors on the Revell kit is the shape and size of the gun cowl bulges. Once again, Alley Cat has replaced these. For the starboard side, options are provided for the standard bulge or the style with the additional small compressor bulge often seen on the Bf 109 G-5 and G-14.

A new and improved ETC rack is also included.

Separate replacement exhaust stacks with hollowed-out ends and weld beads are provided along with mounting places and a support bracket.

In the cockpit, we are offered a new backrest and seat pan without the moulded-on harness straps. A replacement control column and air vents are provided too.

A photo-etched template will permit you to scribe new air vent pabels beneath the cockpit and the oval filler port in the correct position on the spine.

New ailerons and elevators are supplied without the very prominent drain points moulded to the kit parts. Fabric stitching and rib tape detail looks great.

Instructions are provided on two sheets of A4 paper. They are quite straightforward as most of the parts are simply swap-out replacements for kit parts. The only real exceptions are the small scoops and the scribing template.

Alley Cat 's 1/32 scale Bf 109 G Upgrade Set is quite comprehensive and will result in a more accurate result from your new Revell Gustav. It is a good kit without this upgrade, but it will be a great kit with it!

If you are building the new Revell 1/32 scale Bf 109 G-6, this will be an essential update.

I bought a second set myself, as I know I'll be building more than one more.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to A2Zee Models for the sample

Review Text Copyright © 2013 by Brett Green
Page Created 4 December, 2013
Last updated 4 December, 2013

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