Messerschmitt Bf 109 K-4
Kurfurst

Eduard Limited Edition Dual Combo
1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

By late 1944, the legendary Messerschmitt Bf 109 was approaching the end of a long and hard-fought development life. In an effort to rationalise production and extract the last measure of performance from the design, German engineers introduced the final production variant—the Messerschmitt Bf 109 K-4.

The K-series, or Kurfürst, was intended to standardise the bewildering array of sub-variants that had proliferated through the Gustav line. The K-4 emerged as the definitive version, entering service in the closing months of 1944. At its heart was the powerful Daimler-Benz DB 605D engine, often boosted with MW 50 methanol-water injection, delivering impressive low- and medium-altitude performance. In clean aerodynamic form, the K-4 was one of the fastest piston-engined fighters of the war, capable of matching or exceeding many contemporary Allied types.

Externally, the K-4 introduced a number of refinements. A fully retractable tailwheel, redesigned engine cowling, and streamlined airframe reduced drag and improved handling characteristics. The aircraft’s armament was formidable: a hub-mounted 30 mm MK 108 cannon paired with two 13 mm MG 131 machine guns above the engine, providing a heavy punch against Allied bombers.

Despite its performance, the K-4 arrived too late and in insufficient numbers to influence the course of the war. It served primarily in the defence of the Reich, flown by increasingly inexperienced pilots against overwhelming Allied air power. Units such as Jagdgeschwader 27 and Jagdgeschwader 53 operated the type during these desperate final months.

In many respects, the Bf 109 K-4 represented both the pinnacle and the limit of the design—a potent, refined interceptor that showcased the enduring strengths of Willy Messerschmitt’s original concept, even as the world around it moved on.

Eduard has entered the realm of the Bf 109 K-4 in small scale with a Dual Combo, Limited Edition.

The kit includes parts for two complete Bf 109 K-4 models.

Eduard's 1/72 scale Bf 109 K-4 Kurfurst package comprises 318 parts in grey plastic (130 marked not for use), 52 parts in clear plastic (28 marked not for use), two colour photo-etched frets, two brass photo-etched frets, a die-cut self-adhesive masking sheet, two decal sheets with nine marking options and stencils plus a 28 page instruction book.

The contents of the box will allow the modeller to build two complete Bf 109 K-4s.

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Thumbnail panels:

The wing and fuselage sprue, T, is all new.

We have seen Sprues J, U and V, the other grey plastic sprues, on previous Eduard 1/72 Bf 109 G-10 releases.

The two T sprues are identical.

The rooves of the wheel wells are moulded in relief on the inside of the upper wing halves.

The fuselage halves on Sprue T represent typical Bf 109 K-4 production. Compared to earlier variants, the Kurfurst production was quitestandard.

These sprues also add 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.

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 with 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.

Four 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 halftone 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.

A number of small spare parts including pitot tube, antenna mast, DF loop, cowl machine gun barrents and mass balances are supplied in case the dreaded carpet monster strikes, or other mishaps occur.

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 alternative markings.

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. The parts are thin and clear.

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

Markings

Markings are supplied for nine colour schemes and markings.

Specific subjects are:

1. Maj. Wilhelm Batz, CO of II./JG 52, Zeltweg, Austria, May 1945

2. Fw. Hans Strebel, 11./JG 3, Franzfelde airfield near Pasewalk, Germany, March 1945 

3. 9./JG 4, Flensburg airfield, Germany, May 1945

4. 6./KG(J) 6, Klecany airfield, Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, May 1945 

5. 5./JG 11, Strausberg Airfield, Germany, early 1945

6. 12./JG 27, Prague-Kbely airfield, Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, May 1945 

7. Lt. Horst Potreck, Stab III./JG 53, Kreuzstrasse near Holzkirchen, Germany, April 1945 

8. WNr. 330177, Uffz. Alfred Nitsch, 12./JG 77, Neuruppin, Germany, November 1944

9. WNr. 333878, S. Ten Umberto Gallori, 3a Squadriglia, Io Gruppo Caccia, Lonate Pozzolo, Italy, March 1945

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

Two smaller sheets provide the stencil markings.

Eduard expands their gorgeous family of small scale Bf 109s with this new Messerschmitt Bf 109 K-4 Dual Combo package.

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

This is without doubt the ultimate 1/72 scale Bf 109 K-4.

USD$58.45 really is outstanding value too.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample.

Review Text Copyright © 2026 by Brett Green
Page Created 15 April, 2026
Last updated 16 April, 2026

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