No other kit that I can remember has caused as much commotion as the Eduard Bf-109G. Eduard had already had the sets in the production when “Sizegate” hit. The kit was larger than 1/48th scale and had some shape issues. Eduard had already committed to the kit and announced that they would still release the Royal Class kit with the larger molds. The Royal Class was the first time that the G-2, G-4 and G-14 would be available from this company. Would it be worth the money? I guess that would depend on how wrapped around the axle you are on the size and shape issues.
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The Revell Bf-109G-10 kit is a gem and at a reasonable price. As always there are ways to improve the kit. One of the easiest ways is to replace the wheels with resin weighted wheels. The Brassin set consists of seven resin pieces perfectly molded in light grey. There are the two main wheels and a tail wheel. The other parts are the face and the brake assembly for the main wheels. The wheels are sided so use caution and don’t get them mixed up. There is also a set of Kabuki masks for the wheels, which will make the whole painting process easier.
So perfectly formed and highly detailed wheels plus paint masks make this set a great addition to your large scale 109. The set is designed for the Revell kit but it looks like it will fit the Hasegawa kit perfectly with no modifications. Another winner from Brassin.
Highly recommended
If anyone knows me they know I love the AH-1 Cobra. I never had the opportunity to fly the AH-1G but I’ve always wanted to. Special Hobbies finally released their series of AH-1 models. For now they have just released the G model but it is an awesome little model. Like many modelers, I hope they release it in 1/48th and 1/35th scale someday.
The AH-1G had a slightly bulged canopy, which can cause a challenge for some modelers to mask. Special Hobbies was nice enough to produce the canopy doors separate so you can pose them open or closed. The masks will make this chore so much simpler. There are outline masks for the entire canopy framework. You will need liquid mask to fill in the center but Eduard provides the outline. Special Hobbies provides the option of having the ground handling wheels, which is a nice touch for the diorama builder. So naturally if there are wheels Eduard provides you with masks for them as well.
With the release of the Eduard Bf-109G kit, it was inevitable that Eduard would produce aftermarket products in their Brassin range. One of those sets is the radio compartment for the Gustav. The set, like all the Brassin range, is designed specifically for the Eduard kit and is a drop fit.
The set comes with seven pieces of perfectly cast grey resin and a fret of pre-painted photo etch. The resin is typical of the Brassin range and perfect little miniatures of the real things. The two biggest pieces are the sidewall details. Care must be taken to remove the resin wafers between some of the parts. Nothing too difficult but use caution.
Background
The production Audi R8 was named after the manufacturer’s 5-time LeMans winner and was first marketed in 2006. Featuring a mid-mounted 4.2 liter V8 engine, generating 420 brake horsepower enabling a top speed of over 180 miles per hour, the R8 is truly a super sports car.
The Kit
Consisting of 13 pieces in pre-painted metallic orange and flat black; clear, chrome, and red clear styrene, steel axles, and vinyl tires, this kit is well-suited for first-time and beginning modelers. Exterior, interior, and underside detail is crisply molded and provides a convincing replica of the R8.