Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2/4

Revell, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Here’s one that nearly passed me by completely. I was surprised to see a listing of a Revell 1/32 scale Bf 109 G-2 on the Hannants website. I wondered if this was another re-box of the Hasegawa kit but the images indicated that this was a new kit from Revell, based on the tooling of their 2013 Bf 109 G-6.

I ordered the kit and it arrived promptly from Hannants this week. It is indeed a new kit from Revell.

Revell's 1/32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 / G-4 includes parts for both variants.

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Thumbnail panels:

It also shares many parts from the original Bf 109 G-6 release.

The main visual differences between the G-6 and the G-2/G-4 is the revised gun troughs and the absence of the distinctive bulges on the engine cowling of the Bf 109 G-6.

New parts are supplied for the G-2 and G-4.

The plastic is slightly soft and a very pale blue grey – not my favourite colour as it does make it hard to see and even harder to photograph the fine surface textures. Contrast with white putty is unhelpfully low too.

However, surface features are fine, comprising mainly recessed panel lines. Recessed rivets are used sparingly.

Rib tapes and stitching looks good on the fabric control surfaces.

Cockpit detail is quite good straight from the box. The instrument panel features raised bezels and flat circles for decal instruments. A clear fuel line is supplied – a very nice touch. Also interesting is the wing spar, which is attached directly to the bottom of the cockpit floor.

Harness straps are moulded to the seat. You don’t see this very often so it is a nice attempt.

I like that the sidewalls include the UV lights moulded to the top. Stout locating points for the open canopy are also moulded to the starboard sidewall.

The kit is engineered to allow different panels to be fitted to the engine cowl and fuselage sides for different variants. The fuselage halves and wings are mostly common with the Bf 109 G-6 with the exception of the non-bulged panels and the new gun troughs.

This does mean that there are a few extraneous join seams that do not fall on panel lines, but the fit of my Bf 09 G-6 was good and I expect the same from this kit.

Another feature is that the wing wheel bulges are not separate stick-on parts but fully formed on the top and bottom surfaces of the inboard upper wing panels. Two optional panels are included. One is flat for the Bf 109 G-2 with the narrow main wheels, and the second has the bulge to accommodate the wider wheels of the Bf 109 G-4. Please note that some Bf 109 G-2s were also fitted with the wider wheels and wing bulges so check your references carefully.

Revell supplies both the narrow spokedand wider wheels.

Also, the internal wheel well sidewalls are split into three parts plus wing spar on each side, resulting in a uniquely realistic depiction of the undercarriage bays without the canvas covers fitted.

I like the fabric texture on the control surfaces, which is raised and appropriately restrained. All control surfaces, including the leading edge slats and even the front radiator ramps, are separate. The rudder, elevators and ailerons are hinged and may be built to be moveable when the model is complete.

Outline accuracy appears to be fine. The fuselage length is correct, and the nose captures the streamlined yet muscular appearance of the real thing.

There are a number of areas that could have been done better. The circular front of the supercharger intake is thin and some details are absent; the sides of the oil cooler housing lack the curves of the original; the propeller blade shape is not quite right, while the small cowl scoops and exhaust ejectors are moulded solid. The shapes of the 300 litre drop tank and ETC rack have not been captured perfectly either.

The spinner shape looks good, and it correctly depicts the tapered "keyhole" openings for the propeller blades. However, the split between the top and bottom of the spinner is not on a natural panel line and will be a pain to eliminate, especially if you want to apply a spiral decal

Fortunately, most of these are add-on parts so if you are a full-on 109 aficionado there are ways to address these issues by using accessories from Barracuda Studios and others.

The canopy is supplied in three parts. Alternative windscreens are supplied.

The plastic is thin and free from distortion.

Markings

Markings are supplied fpr two varied subjects based on the Eastern Front - Trautloft's well-known brown and green Gustav, and Gordon Gollob's Winkel 2.

Decals are glossy and printed perfectly by Cartograf.

Stencils and instrument dials are included on the sheet.

Swastikas are not supplied.

Revell's newest 1/32 scale Gustav presents the opportunity to build either a Bf 109 G-2 or G-4  Differences are covered by alternative parts, and outline accuracy is good.

Detail is better than the Hasegawa kit in the areas of the cockpit, canopy, undercarriage and wheel wells.

I would give the Revell kit a very narrow points victory for their surface detail too. It is fine and subtle.

The excellent fit and the lack of complication (i.e., no engine, no gun bays etc) also makes this kit an easy and satisfying build.

The shape or detail discrepancies around the propeller blades, supercharger intake and oil cooler housing are baffling, but they will not bother everyone. If they are of concern, most of the issues may already be addressed by aftermarket corrections, and those that can't now (principally the cowl bulges) almost certainly will by the time the kit is released.

I know that option is divided on Revell’s Gustav family but I have built a few of them already and I like the engineering, the good fit, the high level of detail straight from the box, and the options to add after market improvements.

I am very pleased to see the family continue to grow.

Purchased by Reviewer

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2022 by Brett Green
Page Created 25 August, 2022
Last updated 25 August, 2022

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