Bf 109 G-14

Eduard ProfiPACK, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The G-14 arrived in July 1944 at the invasion front over France. It represented an attempt to create a standard type, incorporating many changes which had been introduced during production of the G-6, and which led to a plethora of variants, plaguing decentralized mass production.

The standardization attempt proved to be a failure, but overall the type offered improved combat performance, as MW 50 power boosting water injection (increasing output to 1,800 PS (1,775 hp, 1,324 kW), the clear-view Erla Haube was now standard installation.

Top speed was 573 km/h (353 mph) at sea level, and 665 km/h (413 mph) at 5 km (16,400 ft) altitude.

Eduard's latest packaging in their Gustav family is this standalone 1/72 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-14.

Eduard's 1/72 scale Bf 109 G-14 comprises 155 parts in grey plastic (59 parts marked not for use), 26 parts in clear plastic (11 parts marked not for use), 1 x colour photo-etched fret, 1 x brass photo-etched fret with 86 parts, die-cut self-adhesive masking sheet, 2 x decal sheets with six marking options and stencils plus a 20 page instruction book.

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Thumbnail panels:

The sprues are N2, U, J and V. in common with the Dual Combo boxing last year.

Sprue N2 features late-style upper wing halves with the big wheel bulge. The roof of the wheel well is moulded in relief on the inside of the upper wing halves.

These are not mentioned in the instructions but there are a number of documented late Bf 109 G-6s and 14s that were fitted with this new wing. Check your references.

The sprue also adds the deep Fo 987 oil cooler housing that was typically seen on the Bf 109 G-10 and K-4, plus late-style gun troughs, tyres and an alternative tall fabric covered rudder with fixed trim tabs and Flettner tab.

Surface detail is truly gorgeous. The mid-dark grey plastic colour really shows off the crisp recessed panel lines and rows of rivets.

The recessed rivets are gorgeous.

Stitching and fabric tape are depicted on fabric control surfaces.

Partial raised cockpit sidewall detail is moulded onto the inside of each fuselage half.

This is supplemented by additional plastic parts and colour photo-etch.

The plastic floor part has rudder pedals moulded in place. The kit supplies the conventional bucket seat and pressed metal backrest.

Three photo-etched frets are supplied. The first two are colour photo-etched fret that mainly focuses on the cockpit. They are very subtly different. This photo-etched fret is pre-coloured and offers a layered instrument panel, half-tone harness straps, rudder pedals and other cockpit details.

I particularly like the red and white segmented trim wheel - that will save some tricky painting!

The half tone shading on the harness straps look great, even in this small scale.

The second photo-etched set is brass plated and features a myriad of parts for the exterior and the cockpit.

Alternative plastic parts are provided in case you don't like working with photo-etch. Two instrument panel decal overlays are also offered as an option to painting the plastic panel.

In common with its 1/48 scale cousin, this kit also features a clear fuel line for the starboard cockpit sidewall.

External details are included too, including mesh radiator faces.

The fuselage halves are full length. The vertical tail is a separate part. It features a long locating tab that should ensure robust fit.

Horizontal talplanes are moulded as a single part including the elevators.

Wings are conventional and will look familiar to anyone who has built Eduard's 1/48 scale Bf 109 G kits. The lower half is full span, while the uppers are split into port and starboard. Wheel well structural detail is moulded onto the inside of the upper wing. Wheel well and gear leg sidewalls are a simple single piece for each side.

Pay attention to the instructions here as you may need to drill out holes for the version that you are building.

Landing flaps, ailerons and leading edge slats are all separate parts. The flaps are designed to be displayed dropped, but it will be a simple matter to cut off the locating tabs and reposition them. it looks like the slats are designed to be dropped too, but once again if you'd prefer them retracted you can cut off the tabs.

The radiator flaps are moulded shut.

The pitot tube is moulded to the wing leading edge. This is inevitably delicate and Eduard has provided insurance in the form of a separate pitot tube on the sprues. I'll be cutting off the moulded-on parts and using this separate pitot tube for my build. Thanks Eduard!

Other options include bomb and centreline rack; two styles of centreline drop tank, tropical filter, under wing cannon gondolas, alternative propellers and exhausts, several versions of wheels and hubs and various styles of long or short tail wheel. Some of these are marked "not for use" but will be relevant to later releases.

Unlike Eduard's 1/48 scale Bf 109 kits, the undercarriage legs of these 1/72 scale Gustavs are moulded with deep locating pegs that should guarantee a robust join plus accurate splay and rake. I'd like to see this nice design feature upscaled for future Eduard Bf 109 releases in all scales.

26 clear parts are supplied on a single sprue. Most of these are not referred to in the instructions, but with the inclusion of the tall tail and allternative rudders, the tall tail wheel and the three styles of Erla canopies on the sprue, you'll be able to build a G-5, early or late G-6 or a G-14 straight from the box. All you need is decals!

Clear parts include the three-part canopy, the clear cockpit fuel line, gunsight and wing tip navigation lights.

The parts are thin and clear.

Markings

Markings are supplied for six colour schemes and markings.

With its widespread service on the Western Front, the Eastern Front and the Meditteranean, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 had some of the widest camouflage schemes and markings of this famous family.

The unique and national markings are supplied on one large decal sheet.

The ten subjects are:

• Hptm. Erich Hartmann, CO of 4./JG 52, Csor, Hungary, November 1944

• WNr. 462649, Hptm. Alfred Grislawski, CO of III./JG 53, Paderborn, Germany, September 1944 

• WNr. 781183, Uffz. Werner Zetzschke, 4./JG 4, Darmstadt-Griesheim, Germany, January 1945

• WNr. 462xxx, Uffz. Karl-Heinz Erler, 16./JG 5, Rygge, Norway, April 1945

• WNr. 464068, Str. Josip Cekovi?, 2. ZLJ (Zrakoplovno Lova?ko Jato), Iesi airfield, Italy, April 1945

• WNr. 464444, Maj. Carlo Miami, CO of 2o Gruppo Caccia, ANR, Aviano, Italy, February 1945

One smaller decal sheet provide the stencil markings.

Eduard has added this standalone 1/72 scale ProfiPACK edition Bf 109 G-14 to their growing Gustav family. Looking at the photos in the review, it is remarkable to think that this model is 1/72 scale.

With its fine surface textures, an impressive level of detail with no compromise considering its small scale and many useful options, this little gem will be hard to keep in the box.

The inclusion of short and tall tail, Erla or framed canopies, battery box cover and short and tall tail wheel strut offer even great choice and flexibility.

This is the ultimate 1/72 scale Bf 109 G-5/G-6 /G-14 spares box

Thanks to Eduard for the sample.

Review Text Copyright © 2025 by Brett Green
Page Created 20 March, 2025
Last updated 20 March, 2025

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