Messerschmitt Bf 108

Eduard Weekend Edition, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Messerschmitt Bf?108, known as the Taifun (Typhoon), was a small, sleek, all-metal monoplane that bridged the gap between sport aircraft and military utility during the 1930s and early 1940s. Conceived in 1934 by Willy Messerschmitt, the Bf?108 was designed as a fast, reliable touring and liaison aircraft for civilian and later military use. Its low-wing cantilever design, retractable undercarriage, and advanced aerodynamics marked a significant step forward for German light aircraft engineering.

The first prototype, the M 37, demonstrated exceptional speed, stability, and range, and in 1934–35 it set the standard in European air races and long-distance tours. Its all-metal construction and enclosed cockpit made it a modern and comfortable aircraft, while its simplicity and efficiency appealed to both private pilots and the Luftwaffe. By 1938, production of the Bf?108B was well underway, with the four-seat variant finding use as a liaison, personnel transport, and communications aircraft.

During the Second World War, the Bf?108 served primarily as a staff and liaison aircraft, ferrying officers, carrying messages, and occasionally performing reconnaissance or light transport duties. Its civil roots gave it excellent range and handling, and pilots appreciated the aircraft’s forgiving flight characteristics. Post-war, several Bf?108s were produced under licence in France as the Nord 1000 series, reflecting the enduring practicality of the design.

Although overshadowed by Messerschmitt’s more famous fighters, the Bf?108 was influential: it directly informed the design of the Bf?109, Germany’s premier single-engine fighter. In this sense, the Taifun was both a practical aircraft in its own right and a technological stepping stone that helped shape the Luftwaffe’s fighter fleet. Its blend of speed, reliability, and modern design ensured the Bf?108 earned a quiet but respected place in aviation history.

A company Striped Fighter developed a 1:32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun, which was released in 2018 and was available in a limited release at the time.

Eduard subsequently bought the moulds in 2020 and released the kit in their ProfiPACK guise.

Eduard has just dropped the latest rebox, which is a Weekend Edition sans photo-etch and masks.

The model is made up from 121 dark grey plastic parts, five clear parts and four varied marking options.

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Thumbnail panels:

The plastic parts feature a slightly satin finish but this will not be noticeable under paint. Surface textures are mainly recessed panel lines and subtle fabric effect on the control surfaces.

The cockpit and engine are nicely detailed. The sprues look like a high quality limited run kit, but the major parts are moulded with tiny locating pins to assist alignment.

Eduard has addressed the absence of photo-etch by providing an overlay decal for the instrument panel and four harnesses

Eduard offers a choice of an open canopy in four separate pieces, or a single glasshouse for the closed option. The big closed canopy is a very impressive moulding, being exceptionally thin and free from distortion.

Even with the canopy closed, you’ll still have a good view of the detail inside the cockpit.

Marking Options

Two decal sheets cover four varied options and stencils:

• Stab/JG 88, Legion Condor, Spain, 1938

• Germany, September 1939 

• I./JG 27, Innsbruck, Austria, 1941 

• Sonderkommando Blaich, Tripoli, Libya, January 1942

Decals look well printed on my sample and are in perfect register and colour saturation.

These are Eduard's standard style of decal that allows the modeller to lift off the carrier film after the decals have set.

Eduard’s 1:32 Bf?108 Weekend Edition combines excellent moulding quality, high level of detail, well-thought-out design, and versatile options for open or closed canopies.

While it lacks the photo-etch and masks of the ProfiPACK, the kit remains highly buildable and visually rewarding, making it an attractive choice for modellers seeking a display-worthy Taifun with both accuracy and ease of assembly.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text Copyright © 2025 by Brett Green
Page Created 11 December, 2025
Last updated 11 December, 2025

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