Messerschmitt Bf-109G-6
First look at Tamiya 1/48 Messerschmitt Bf-109G-6 (Late Test Shot)
L
et us leave the “Do we really
need another 109G?” bit
until the end, and move on
to what Tamiya have achieved
with this kit. Amazingly, they
have managed to raise the bar
yet again for what is achievable
in a plastic kit; surprisingly,
however, they have not included
the one feature that would
have made it unbeatable.
As was to be expected, the kit
has been designed to produce a
very late mark 109, although with
this manufacturer’s history for
dragging out the most from their
toolings, do not expect any further
versions until at least 2019.
This approach has led to a
number of compromises, such
as the removal of the umbrella
mounting points for the Trop
version, and several doors on the
side of the fuselage that have to
be filled. There are also a lot of
optional parts that, with some
aftermarket decals, could keep you
busy for years. These include the
tropical dust filter, a choice of short
or long aerial masts, two styles
of DF loops, and three options for
Morane mast mounting points.
And we have not even started
on the stand out feature of this
kit: a very nice representation of
the Daimler-Benz engine, which,
with careful painting, will look
very nice out of the box. The
unique feature of this kit is that
you do not have to choose between
displaying the engine or closingthe cowlings and hiding it. Using
small magnets, you can quickly
and easily swap between the
supplied alternative open or closed
cowlings (I cannot wait to try this
feature out!). Other options include
poseable control surfaces, dropped
flaps, and leading-edge slats.
Markings are supplied for
three aircraft, all finished in RLM
74/75/76 splinter camouflage,
with various amounts of
mottle on the fuselage side.- Messerschmitt Bf109G-6,
Yellow 1, 9/JG54, February 1944.
Blue Reichs Defence Band. - Messerschmitt Bf109G-6, Yellow 1,
9/JG52, October 1943. This aircraft
has yellow trim under the nose
and wing, plus a half tail band. - Messerschmitt Bf109G-6/R6.
White 9, 7/JG27, Maleme, Crete,
December 1943. This
aircraft has a white
rudder and tail fin plus
a white tail band. It is
also a gunboat, so it
has 20mm gondolas
under the wings.
As well as the various
marking options,you are also supplied with a full
set of stencils and dials for the
instrument panel, and, in case you
do not use the rather nice pilot
figure, a set of seatbelts. In the
same packet is a set of painting
masks for the canopy, though
these have to be cut from the sheet
using a sharp scalpel blade.
I am really impressed by this
kit, but I do wish that Tamiya had
invested in slide-mould technology,
so that they could hollow out the
ends of the machine guns, cannons,
and exhaust pipes. But if they did,
there would probably be nothing
for the aftermarket to supply, as
the plastic detail is so good.CONCLUSION
Over the last three years, we have had
two state-of-the-art representations
of the 109G-6, and these are both
beautiful kits. The Tamiya example,
however, offers you more options
in the basic box, and has probably
the best plastic details of them all.
And if past Tamiya products are
anything to go by, they will certainly
be the easiest to assemble.
The only downside is that it willalso be the most expensive option, at
£39.99 in the UK. However, it is also
the most widely distributed and is
easily available for those modellers
who do not like using the internet.
So, when this kit is released
in February, treat yourself. I
know you will have an enjoyable
experience, as that has been the
hallmark feature of every Tamiya
kit I have built in the last 30 years.
My thanks to The Hobby
Company, Tamiya’s UK importer,
for supplying us with this late test
shot. We hope to have a full build
in the next issue of Scale Aviation
Modeller International – just in time
for the kit’s scheduled UK release.52 • JANUARY 2018 • SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL
FIRST LOOK!
052-57-FirstLooks-0118.indd 52 08/12/2017 17:00