GUSTAV
Bf 109 G-5 & Bf 109 G-6

Eduard Limited Dual Combo
1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 G series, or Gustav, was introduced in mid-1942.

Its initial variants (G-1 through G-4) differed only in minor details from the Bf 109 F, most notably in the more powerful 1,475 PS (1,085 kW; 1,455 hp) DB 605 engine.

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The G-6 and pressurised G-5 were next. These were easily identified by the large bulges on the rear of the engine cowling.

Long-range photo-reconnaissance and tropical variants were also produced.

Eduard three its hat into the ring with a 1/72 scale Bf 109 G-2 and G-4 kit Limited Dual Combo offering.

Now, Eduard introduces their new 1/72 scale Bf 109 G-5 / 6 offering with two full kits in the box.

Eduard's debut 1/72 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the Bf 109 F-2 & Bf 109 F-4 Wunderschöne Neue Maschinen Pt. 1 Limited Edition Dual Combo, released earlier in 2023. Wunderschöne Neue Maschinen Pt. 2 was launched in November 2023, covering the Bf 109 G-2 and G-4.

Now we have Eduard's GUSTAV package - Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-5 / 6.

The kit includes parts for two complete models. You can build one of each or two of the same variants - ultimate flexibility.

Some of the many spare parts in the box will permit you to build a Bf 109 G-14 too, or a Bf 109 G-6 with tall tail and / or clear vision Erla canopy and / or long tail wheel strut,

Eduard's 1/72 scale GUSTAV Dual Combo package comprises 310 parts in grey plastic (many marked not for use), 26 parts in clear plastic, 2 x colour photo-etched fret, 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.

Two identical sprues are supplied for the Bf 109 G-5 / 6

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 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 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.

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 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 a generous 14 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 of this famous family.

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

Two smaller sheets provide the stencil markings.

Extra Goodies

Not all are shown here, but are some of the extra parts to whet your appetite.

Eduard expands their gorgeous family of small scale Bf 109s with this new Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-5 / G-6 release.

With its incredibly 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 bonus tall tail, Erla canopy, battery box cover and tall tail wheel strut offers even greater choice and flexibility.

This is the ultimate 1/72 scale Bf 109 G-5 / 6 toolbox.

USD$44.95 really is outstanding value too

Thanks to Eduard for the sample.

Review Text Copyright © 2024 by Brett Green
Page Created 6 February, 2024
Last updated 6 February, 2024

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