Scale Plastic & Rail

1/32 Bf109 F-4 Exterior and Interior S.A. by Eduard

Eduard
Catalogue # 32268 & 33077 (for Trumpeter kit #02292)
Available from Eduard for €25,95 and €14.95 respectively

Introduction
Trumpeter's 1/32 Bf109 F-4 kit (#02292) came out to rather mixed reviews, but I like to think one of the more balanced views on the kit can be found on our site, here. Once the dust had settled down it seems it is actually an ok kit of a 109, but a G-2 rather than the F-4 version it purports to be: squared-off wheel wells and twin air scoops on the engine cowl typical of G-2s, but not F-4s, for example.

I personally consider it as a G-2 with incorrect box art / markings, and will build the kit in my stash as such. Anyway, I have reviewed the following sets taking all this into consideration, and will reflect on their usefulness as accessories to either a F-4 or G-2 variant.

#32 268 1/32 Bf109 F-4 Exterior
€25.95 available directly from Eduard here

#33 077 Bf109 F-4 Interior S.A.
€14.95 available directly from Eduard here

#32 268 1/32 Bf109 F-4 Exterior

This set comprises 2 frets in Eduard's traditional 'silver' coloured photo-etch metal. Instructions are the usual clear line drawings, and walk you through the various steps required for construction.

As with most of these exterior sets, you can use all or some of the upgrades, according to your taste. Some of the parts provided will be very straightforward to use, whilst others will need an etch folding tool and perhaps a little experience in using this medium.

The set centres around three main areas: wheel wells, landing gear doors, and radiator grills and flaps. The wheel well add-ons will be simple to use, and are superior to the existing (or absent) kit detail. As someone who has tried to scratchbuild canvas type wheel well covers for a 109, I can see these will be a welcome addition – the hole / thread stitching detail looks excellent.

I almost missed them, but you are offered 2 small parts (#51 and 52) which will round off the squared wheel wells. I am not sure how easy these will be to secure, but these should be used if you want to make your kit as a F-4, not a G-2.

The landing gear door interior kit part is to be sanded clean, and a beautifully detailed rivet-effect replacement is provided. This will be a simple operation, but rather more fiddly will be the replacement of the entire upper section with part #21. I am not sure whether to glue part #21 to the kit part first, or attach the oleo to the kit part, and then add the PE parts; I will only find out during construction I think. A PE break line is provided to run down the oleo, but these do not look convincing – you would be better off using lead wire.

Grills are provided for both oil cooler and the radiators. The latter also have flaps which can be posed open so as to reveal more detail. The flaps will obviously be far superior in scale thickness than the plastic kit parts, but may not be for the beginner. Check your reference pics to make sure you have them opened at correct angles, although the instructions do give you a nice side-on view.

The tail stiffeners associated with the Friedrich are provided (part #42) but I do not think these should be used on a G-2.

#33 077 Bf109 F-4 Interior S.A.

This is one of Eduard's colour self-adhesive sets, and comprises one fret to upgrade the cockpit interior and seat belts (plain brass ones are provided in the kit). If you have not used these self-adhesive sets before, then take a few seconds to look at the instructions. They are pretty self-explanatory, but if you accidentally remove the set from its backing paper, chances are you will ruin it, so do take care.

The seat belts are very good – they are not up to the standard of say Radu Brinzan's offerings, some of which can be seen here – but they are probably quicker and easier to construct, so it's up to you.

The instrument panel is where these SA sets really excel, and despite relatively simple construction, you will end up with an exquisite looking 'font office' in your 109 with this addition. My references suggest that the instrument panel matches pretty much spot on for a G-2, so you are ok to use this set for what the kit really is.

So What Do We Think?
These are 2 high quality PE sets from Eduard. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and with the possible exception of the flaps in the Exterior set, construction should be pretty simple and therefore accessible to most modellers. Moreover, thanks to the similarity between the F-4 and G-2 variants in most of the areas covered by these 2 sets, you should be able to use them whichever version you wish to make.

Highly recommended

With thanks to the team at Eduard for the review sample.

Eduard kits and accessories can be purchased directly here.

References:
• Modellers Datafile #10 - Messerschmitt Bf 109 A Comprehensive Guide For The Modeller Part 2: "F" to "K" variants by Lynn Rytger
• Lock On No.28 Aircraft Photo File Messerschmitt Bf109 G-2
• Ersatzteil-Liste [Parts Manual] Bf109 F Messerschmitt AG Augsburg

Nicholas Mayhew