Scale Plastic & Rail

1:48 Bf 109E wheels from Eduard

1:48 Bf 109E wheels 'Brassin'
Eduard
Catalogue # 648058
Available from Eduard for 5,95€

Tying in nicely with the release of Eduard's 1:48 Bf 109E Royal Class kit, Eduard have released the same Brassin wheel set as a standalone packaging, so that builders of the regular 1:48 Eduard Bf 109E kits can take advantage of this excellent upgrade.

Packaged into the familiar Brassin vac-form blister pack, this upgrade pack is a simple affair, containing the two main wheels, separate spokes for the outboard hubs, and a combined tail-wheel/fork part. Unlike the 1:32 equivalent, Eduard have cast the main hub and wheel as one part, but retaining the outer spoked part as a separate assembly, which in this scale looks fantastic!

The main wheels are cast in light grey resin, whilst the tail-wheel and spokes, doe some off reason, are cast in a dark grey resin. All parts contain casting blocks with thin resin webs connecting the parts. The only parts you need to be very careful in removing are the spokes. I would use a razor saw and remove them entirely from the casting block, and then gently grind any excess resin away on some very fine abrasive paper. I know the 1:32 equivalent was tricky to remove, so be doubly careful with this smaller version.

All resin casting is immaculate, but I would have liked to have seen the tail-wheel and fork cast separately. There is still a reasonable undercut though which does give the impression of two parts. Detail across all parts is exceptional, with well-defined hubs, tread, and other small detail. The 'Continental' logo is just about discernible too!

Again, Eduard release a wheel set with no weighted effect, so you will need to do this yourself if  you wish your Emil so have the correct tyre compression appearance.

A masking sheet is included for both main wheels and tail-wheel hubs, so that the modeller may mask these areas prior to spraying the main wheel colour.

Instructions are given for assembly of this set, and also it's connection to the plastic parts. The tail-wheel/fork assembly has two pips on the upper fork shaft, and these simply plug into the fuselage interior. It's that simple. No paint guide is given for this upgrade, which seems to be standard for Brassin sets, but you should have no problem in referencing the main kit for these requirements.

So what do we think?
This is a beautifully made and very affordable upgrade set for what essentially must be the best Emil on the market. There's simply nothing to fault, apart from the lack of tyre compression. Eduard are becoming the masters of the quarter-scale 109E, and if you have one in your stash, treat yourself to a set of these.

Highly recommended.

Our sincere thanks to Eduard for the review sample used here. To purchase this directly, click THIS link.

James H.

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