Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-2

Eduard Weekend Edition 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Graham Carter

Released in 2023 and already available in a number of boxings including ‘overtrees’, Profipack and regular boxing, this kit has received widespread praise for its accuracy and level of detail. Eduard continues to do a ‘Hasegawa’ on us by releasing a number of boxings to make the best use of the moulds.

In the usual large sturdy top-opening box the lid is decorated with a great image of Hptm. Hans Hahn’s victory over a Spitfire during the Battle of Britain. Inside are two large dark grey sprues in a resealable clear sleeve and a smaller one with transparencies.

A sixteen-page all colour A4 instruction booklet covers the construction in six pages with colours called out in each one. The first page has a potted history of this famous aeroplane from birth to the post war.

A parts map indicates that 50 parts will go into your spares box. Paints are only for Gunze Aqueous and Mr. Color ranges.

The moulds are showing no sign of deterioration and details are as crisp as we have come to expect, especially the interior and surface panelling. Flaps, ailerons and slats are separate parts, as is the rudder.

All-in-all, a colourful set of markings that will add some interesting schemes to your collection. The last page contains the stencil placement diagram and an array of accessories to add to an already great kit should you feel you need to.

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.

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!

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.

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

Decals are provided for four examples and each is given a full-colour, four-view set of drawings and a useful set of historical notes. The decals are beautifully printed with great depth, register and minimal carrier film on a mid-blue backing sheet.

Swastikas are in the familiar broken format.

A smaller separate sheet contains a mass of stencils and airframe markings. The aircraft are for :

1. Hptm. Hans Hahn, CO of III/JG2 in France , July 1941 in RLM 74/75 over RLM 76 with yellow rudder, lower nose and some 02 mottles with a cockerel head on the nose,

2. Lt. HansStrelow of 5/JG51 in the Soviet Union in March 1942 in a weathered winter white scheme over RLM76 and yellow lower wing-tips, nose and fuselage stripe and a falcon head on the nose,

3. Hptm. Karl-Heinz Leeskann, CO of I/JG52 in the Netherlands in June 1941 in a similar scheme to #1 but with denser mottle and more extensive yellow on the nose, and

4. Lt Max-Hellmuth Ostermann of 7/JG54 in the Soviet Union in September 1941 in an unusual jagged 74/75 over 76 scheme with large blobs of 02 and 74 on the fuselage, with yellow lower wing-tips, full nose and fuselage stripe.

This is a highly recommended kit to the modeller with an interest in this iconic fighter or in the theatres in which it was operated.

Review Text by Graham Carter
Page Created 21 May, 2025
Last updated 21 May, 2025

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