Instructions

The 20-page instruction manual is presented in Eduard’s usual manner, on heavy gauge glossy paper, and begins with a thorough history of this aircraft. Care must be taken to ensure all the different options, based on the scheme you choose, are completed. The steps are often very “busy”, and it would behoove the modeler to read things three or four times before committing to cement.

Decals

The decal sheet, covering options for seven aircraft, is generous, to say the least. All markings are in perfect register. A separate, smaller decal sheet is provided for the myriad of data stenciling. The carrier film disappears under a coat of Micro-Sol, but as is now widely known, this film can be carefully peeled off once dried. I have not had much success with that technique, and I do not recommend it. Having said that, even the “Red Tulip” decal on the nose responded well to Micro-Sol.

Construction

As with most aircraft kits, construction begins in the cockpit. Immediately, you are presented with choices between plastic parts, or colored photoetch (PE) parts. This includes the aileron trim tab wheel & chain and the four-part instrument panel sandwich. I went the PE route, as I usually do when I build these kits (this is my sixth or seventh one). PE seat harness straps are provided as well, and look the part.

The cockpit sidewalls have plastic or PE options as well.I used some of the PE parts here and applied the corresponding decals to the plastic parts that I used. Depending upon which of the seven decal options you choose to model, you will have to remove the UHF antenna bump aft of the cockpit. The fuselage halves close smoothly, and the completed cockpit is inserted from beneath. Once the fuselage is together, the modeler must once again pay attention to which decal option they are going to use, as there are several fuel and access hatches that will need to be filled in, depending on the selected variant. The exhaust stacks are then attached, and once again, a PE option for the exhaust shrouds is provided. If you choose not to use that part, there is a pair of exhausts with the shrouds molded in place.

The horizontal stabilizers are molded as one piece, and once slid into place, ensure near-perfect alignment. Assembling the wings brings more options concerning which holes need to be drilled out. ETC/Fuel Rack, bomb hard points, underwing Kannoneboots, etc., are all options that must be accounted for.

The leading-edge landing slats and ailerons go on next, and they fit perfectly. This is followed by the installation of the radiator housings and associated flaps, and finally, the landing flaps. The radiator cooling flaps are molded in the closed position, but some light scoring will allow them to be posed open, permitting the PE housing screens to be appreciated.

Landing gear assembly is next. Upon introduction of Eduard’s 1/72 Bf-109F series of kits almost 2 years ago, a brilliant solution to the ever-present challenges of proper alignment of the Bf-109’s main gear was shown to the modeling world. Eduard has made a simple, but brilliant change in how the main gear legs are molded at the attachment points. Once assembled, the alignment is as close to perfect as it can be, without any drama. The one-piece tires accept a front and rear hub and are then cemented in place. The main gear doors are either plastic or PE, and for the variant I modeled, two PE outer gear doors are provided. Kabuki paper paint masks are included for the two main wheels, and the tiny tail wheel. PE hydraulic brake lines complete this assembly process.

The final assembly has you attaching the windscreen, rear window, and canopy. Paint masks are provided for these parts as well. While attaching the PE canopy retention mechanism, mine tweezered off into oblivion, so I made another one from fine solder. The 3-piece propeller assembly is next, then the radio mast, followed by the auxiliary fuel tank.

Finish

All paints used were MRP Acrylic Lacquers. Light weathering was accomplished using artists' oils. I then fashioned the radio aerial from ceramic wire.

Recommendation

The 1/72 scale Messerschmidt Bf-109s currently being produced & sold by Eduard are, quite frankly, the best and most accurate kits of this aircraft ever produced in this scale. They assemble in a predominantly straight-forward manner, are incredibly detailed, and are a great deal of fun to build. Current price points, coupled with what is in the box, ensure a solid investment for your collection. Sincere thanks to the folks at Eduard for providing this kit to the IPMS/USA for review!