Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4
Weekend Edition

Eduard ProfiPACK, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 F delivered a major transformation to the famous Augsburg Eagle. The airframe was streamlined with a newly designed engine cowling, large spinner, rounded wing tips, revised flaps and many mechanical modifications compared to the earlier Bf 109 E.

The Bf 109 F entered service in 1941 at around the same time as the RAF introduced the Spitfire Mk.V. RAF Fighter Command also switched to offensive operations over France and Belgium during this period, creating a new challenge for the Luftwaffe.

The new Spitfire was superior to the Bf 109 F in most respects, and it would not be until early 1942 with the general introduction of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 that a Luftwaffe fighter aircraft would gain a temporary upper hand over the English Channel.

Despite this see-sawing combat on the Channel Front, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 F achieved stunning success over the grassy steppes and frozen tundras of Russia, and the harsh desert of North Africa during 1941 and 1942.

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 launched their 1/48 scale Erla Bf 109 F-4 ProfiPACK in 2016 with all the goodies, and now its budget counterpart is available.

Eduard's Bf 109 F-4 Weekend Edition comprises 185 parts in grey plastic, six parts in clear and markings for two aircraft. 89 of the 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.

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Thumbnail panels:

As far as I can tell, the plastic parts in this kit are identical to those in the recent Bf 109 F-4 ProfiPACK kit. This is a good thing!

Eduard supplies the instrument panel as a plastic part with an optional decal overlay plus decals for the harness straps. The radiator faces are plastic parts too.

In 2013, Eduard’s Spitfire family set a new benchmark for 1/48 scale surface detail, and a decade later this Bf 109 F-4 kit is equally impressive. 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.

The canopy is offered in three parts so that the centre section may be posed open if desired. The cockpit fuel line is also supplied as a clear part - a nice touch.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 G versions.

Markings

Markings are supplied for a generous four Bf 109 F-4s.

Decals look good.

This 1/48 scale Bf 109 F-4 is another welcome addition to Eduard's Weekend range, representing exceptional value at less than USD$30.00 and offering a generous four marking options.

These stripped down versions are also ideal bases for further detail, such as the Eduard BRASSIN Bf 109 F-4 cockpit.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text Copyright © 2023 by Brett Green
Page Created 5 September, 2023
Last updated 5 September, 2023

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