Messerschmitt
Bf 109 G-10 Erla
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-10 Erla is a very good kit - surface textures are state-of-the-art and there is some really nice attention to detail. For example, I love that Revell has supplied three different styles of rudder, including the "flattened cone" version, and that there are so many bonus parts included too. This release bypasses some of the shortcomings of the earlier G-6, and it is also be easier to build thanks to the full-length fuselage halves.

However, as pointed out in reviews and build articles, the model still suffers from a number of errors.

A2Zee Models has released an upgrade set that addresses all of the accuracy concerns.

Aleey Cat's 1/32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-10 Erla Upgrade Set comprises 46 resin parts (plus some spare scoops and exhaust stacks), one small photo-etched fret and illustrated 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 shape of this is also an improvement over the rather simplified kit part.

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! Please note that the thin-ipped intake is a characteristic of the Erla-built G-10s, a fact I was not aware of when I wrote my initial review and built the kit. This is correctly depicted in the Alley Cat set.

A new cowl deck is supplied with the correct spacing between the machine guns.

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 a double-sided A4 sheet. 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-10 Erla 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!

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to A2Zee Models for the sample

Review Text Copyright © 2014 by Brett Green
Page Created 4 August, 2014
Last updated 4 August, 2014

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