Bf 109 F-2 & Bf 109 F-4
Wunderschöne Neue Maschinen Pt. 1

Eduard Limited Edition Dual Combo
1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 F was a major transformation of the famous Augsburg Eagle. The airframe was streamlined with a newly designed engine cowling, large spinner, rounded wing tips, revised flaps and many mechanical modifications compared to the earlier Bf 109 E.

The Bf 109 F entered service in 1941, at around the same time as the RAF introduced the Spitfire Mk.V. RAF Fighter Command also switched to offensive operations over France and Belgium during this period, creating a new challenge for the Luftwaffe.

The new Spitfire was superior to the Bf 109 F in most respects, and it would not be until early 1942 with the general introduction of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 that a Luftwaffe fighter aircraft would gain a temporary upper hand.

Despite this see-sawing combat on the Channel Front, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 F achieved stunning success over the grassy steppes and frozen tundras of Russia, and the desert of North Africa during 1941 and 1942. 

Due to the extreme heat and sand of North Africa, a specialised tropical version of the Bf 109 F-4 was developed. This was most easily identified by a long filter attachment on front of the wider-diameter supercharger intake; and a deeper oil cooler and housing under the nose.

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 F in 1/72 scale

We have seen many 1/72 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 kits over the decades but few would stand up to scrutiny by today's standards. The Bf 109 F has been particularly neglected.

Hasegawa released a pretty nice Bf 109 G-6 and a G-14 in 1994, and Tamiya delivered a lovely Bf 109 G-6 in 2019, but neither of these have been backdated to a Friedrich.

Until now, the best mainstream injection moulded Bf 109 F kits in 1/72 scale have been from Fine Molds. These were first released in 2005. Exterior recessed surface details are refined and it is considered to be accurate, but with just 39 grey plastic parts, the model is simplified in places.

But now, nearly two decades later, Eduard has finally thrown their hat into the 1/72 scale Bf 109 ring.

Eduard's debut 1/72 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 is the Bf 109 F-2 & Bf 109 F-4 Wunderschöne Neue Maschinen Pt. 1 Limited Edition Dual Combo.

The kit includes parts for two complete models - one Bf 109 F-1 or 2, and one Bf 109 F-4.

Although there are no sprues in common, we can certainly see the family resemblance between this, Eduard's first small scale Bf 109 F release, and Eduard's impressive 1/72 scale Avia S-199 from last year in terms of detail, parts breakdown and design innovations.

In total, Eduard's 1/72 scale Wunderschöne Neue Maschinen Dual Combo package comprises 229 parts in grey plastic (56 marked not for use), 22 parts in clear plastic, 1 x colour photo-etched fret with 46 parts, 1 x brass coated photo-etched fret with 86 parts, die-cut self-adhesive masking sheet, 3 x decal sheets with 14 marking options and stencils plus a 40 page instruction book

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Different sprues contain major and minor parts unique to the Bf 109 F-2 and F-4.

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 some of the best I have ever seen in this scale.

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 also the rarer variant that looked ike a cross between a Bf 109 E and F seat. The choice is yours!

Two photo-etched frets are supplied. The first is a colour photo-etched fret that mainly focuses on the cockpit. This photo-etched fret is pre-coloured and offers a layered instrument panel, half-tone harness straps, rudder pedals and other cockpit details. Parts for both models are supplied on the one fret. I particularly like the red and white segmented trim wheel - that will save some tricky painting!

The second photo-etched set is brass plated and features a myriad of parts for the exterior and the cockpit. Also of note, Eduard has supplied a riveted photo-etched strip for the unique wing root of the Bf 109 F-1 - more impressive attention to detail. Empennage reinforcement strips are included too.

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.

The fuselage has open inserts for the cowl gun troughs with separate inserts for the F-2 and F-4. The supercharger intakes are unique to each type too.

Each kit has optional wing combinations. The F-2 has one set of wings with the circular openings for the main wheels and one set with the squared-off opening. You won't need to drag out your hobby knife here.

The F-4 wings are rounded off for all options but one. Nowotny's Bf 109 F-4 has one wing with the circular opening and the other side squared off. You will be doing a minor amount of surgery here. This is amazing attention to detail on Eduard's part.

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, 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, these Bf 109 F undercarriage legs 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.

22 clear parts are supplied on a single sprue.

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

The parts are thin and clear.

Markings

Markings are supplied for a generous 14 colour schemes and markings.

With its widespread service on the Western Front, the Eastern Front and the Western Desert, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 F had some of the widest camouflage schemes of this famous family.

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

Two smaller sheets provide the stencil markings.

Eduard has really done their homework with their first 1/72 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 F release. This is clearly the best Friedrich in 1/72 scale.

With its gorgeous 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.

USD$44.95 sounds like outstanding value for two highly detailed multimedia kits too!

Purchased by the Reviewer

Review Text Copyright © 2023 by Brett Green
Page Created 14 June, 2023
Last updated 15 June, 2023

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