Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 'ProfiPACK'
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Kit Review
Having corrected the errors with their first G-6 from 2015 Eduard have already done the G-5 (See here - http://www.valiant-wings.co.uk/messerschmitt-bf-109g-5-profipack-1774-p.asp) and the G-6 Early Version, they have now continued the coverage with the early G-2 variant. The G-2 started production in May 1942 and lacked the cabin pressurisation and GM-1 installation seen on the G-1. The canopy reverted to one layer of glazing and incorporated the angled head armour used on the F-4, although several G-2 had the vertical type as fitted to the G-1. Several Rüstsätze could be fitted, although installing these did not change the designation of the aircraft. Instead the ‘/R’ suffix referred to the G-2's Rüstzustand or equipment condition of the airframe, which was assigned at the factory rather than in the field.
Inside the box you will find one clear and fives dark grey-coloured sprues, a pre-coloured photo-etched fret and a set of self-adhesive masks.
Many of these parts are not required in this particular version, so you get a lot of very useful parts to add to your spares box. The full-colour instructions take you though assembly over nine pages and colours are highlighted throughout via the Gunze-Sangyo Mr Aqueous Hobby Color and Mr Color ranges. Breakdown is traditional for the Bf 109, so you have a nice cockpit floor/bulkhead into which goes the trim wheel (plastic and etched), control column, seat pan, rudder pedals (either plastic or etched), cannon breech cover, fuel flow sight glass (clear plastic) and etched seat belts. The starboard sidewall has a separate electrical distribution panel and the instrument panel is a combination of plastic and etched, or plastic and decal. No engine is included, so the exhaust stacks are held in place within the cowls and the gun troughs have backing plates for the partial gun barrels to sit into. The tailplanes are separate as are the elevators and rudder. The wheel wells have multi-part linings and the separately available upgrade set (#48-913) includes the inner sections as etched if you like. Ailerons, flaps and leading edge slats are all separate and the radiators have separate flaps and the option of plastic or etched for the matrices (as does the oil cooler under the chin). The undercarriage features wheels with separate hubs although bronze legs with resin doors and new wheels are already available in the Brassin range for extra detail. The canopy is multi-part, so can be posed open and you have two styles of windscreen. Ordnance comes in the form of cannoon gondolas for under each wing.
Colour Options
The kit offers five decal options:
• Bf 109G-2/trop, 'Black 2' of 2./JG77, Matmata, Tunisia, early 1943
• Bf 109G-2/R6/trop, 'Yellow 10', flown by Fw Hans Döbrich, 6./JG5, Alakurtti, Finland, February 1943
• Bf 109G-2/R6, 'Yellow 5', flown by Walter Krupinski, 6./JG52, Maykop, Russia, October 1942
• Bf 109G-2/R6, W/Nr.13949, flown by Maj. Hans Hahn, II./JG54, Rjelbitzy, Russia, January 1943
• Bf 109G-2/R6, 'White 1', flown by Hptm. Wolf-Dieter Huy, 7./JG77, Tanyet Harun, Egypt, October 1942
The decal sheet, which is printed by Eduard, is excellent and has perfect register and colour density. The swastikas are placed on the edge of the main sheet so that they can be clipped off in those countries where the symbol is banned. There is also a separate sheet containing a complete set of airframe stencils.
Conclusion
As with their other 'new' Bf 109Gs, this latest version is of excellent quality and accuracy and of course you can add a whole wealth of Brassin and etched sets to it should you choose. From the box though this ProfiPACK version will fill most modellers needs and it can't be long before it is released in the Weekend Edition series for those who don't want any of etched etc. Highly recommended to all Luftwaffe modellers.
UK modellers can obtain this kit from Hannants (here), or you can visit the Eduard website directly (here).
NOTE: Don't forget that Eduard are currently offering 'overtrees' (#82116X) sets of the sprues for this kit off of their website, so you can buy another set of parts and build another of the excellent option, without all the expense of buying a complete new kit. They also offer the etched set separately as well, should you want it (#82116-LEPT).
Having corrected the errors with their first G-6 from 2015 Eduard have already done the G-5 (See here - http://www.valiant-wings.co.uk/messerschmitt-bf-109g-5-profipack-1774-p.asp) and the G-6 Early Version, they have now continued the coverage with the early G-2 variant. The G-2 started production in May 1942 and lacked the cabin pressurisation and GM-1 installation seen on the G-1. The canopy reverted to one layer of glazing and incorporated the angled head armour used on the F-4, although several G-2 had the vertical type as fitted to the G-1. Several Rüstsätze could be fitted, although installing these did not change the designation of the aircraft. Instead the ‘/R’ suffix referred to the G-2's Rüstzustand or equipment condition of the airframe, which was assigned at the factory rather than in the field.
Inside the box you will find one clear and fives dark grey-coloured sprues, a pre-coloured photo-etched fret and a set of self-adhesive masks.
Many of these parts are not required in this particular version, so you get a lot of very useful parts to add to your spares box. The full-colour instructions take you though assembly over nine pages and colours are highlighted throughout via the Gunze-Sangyo Mr Aqueous Hobby Color and Mr Color ranges. Breakdown is traditional for the Bf 109, so you have a nice cockpit floor/bulkhead into which goes the trim wheel (plastic and etched), control column, seat pan, rudder pedals (either plastic or etched), cannon breech cover, fuel flow sight glass (clear plastic) and etched seat belts. The starboard sidewall has a separate electrical distribution panel and the instrument panel is a combination of plastic and etched, or plastic and decal. No engine is included, so the exhaust stacks are held in place within the cowls and the gun troughs have backing plates for the partial gun barrels to sit into. The tailplanes are separate as are the elevators and rudder. The wheel wells have multi-part linings and the separately available upgrade set (#48-913) includes the inner sections as etched if you like. Ailerons, flaps and leading edge slats are all separate and the radiators have separate flaps and the option of plastic or etched for the matrices (as does the oil cooler under the chin). The undercarriage features wheels with separate hubs although bronze legs with resin doors and new wheels are already available in the Brassin range for extra detail. The canopy is multi-part, so can be posed open and you have two styles of windscreen. Ordnance comes in the form of cannoon gondolas for under each wing.Colour Options
The kit offers five decal options:
• Bf 109G-2/trop, 'Black 2' of 2./JG77, Matmata, Tunisia, early 1943
• Bf 109G-2/R6/trop, 'Yellow 10', flown by Fw Hans Döbrich, 6./JG5, Alakurtti, Finland, February 1943
• Bf 109G-2/R6, 'Yellow 5', flown by Walter Krupinski, 6./JG52, Maykop, Russia, October 1942
• Bf 109G-2/R6, W/Nr.13949, flown by Maj. Hans Hahn, II./JG54, Rjelbitzy, Russia, January 1943
• Bf 109G-2/R6, 'White 1', flown by Hptm. Wolf-Dieter Huy, 7./JG77, Tanyet Harun, Egypt, October 1942
The decal sheet, which is printed by Eduard, is excellent and has perfect register and colour density. The swastikas are placed on the edge of the main sheet so that they can be clipped off in those countries where the symbol is banned. There is also a separate sheet containing a complete set of airframe stencils.
Conclusion
As with their other 'new' Bf 109Gs, this latest version is of excellent quality and accuracy and of course you can add a whole wealth of Brassin and etched sets to it should you choose. From the box though this ProfiPACK version will fill most modellers needs and it can't be long before it is released in the Weekend Edition series for those who don't want any of etched etc. Highly recommended to all Luftwaffe modellers.
UK modellers can obtain this kit from Hannants (here), or you can visit the Eduard website directly (here).
NOTE: Don't forget that Eduard are currently offering 'overtrees' (#82116X) sets of the sprues for this kit off of their website, so you can buy another set of parts and build another of the excellent option, without all the expense of buying a complete new kit. They also offer the etched set separately as well, should you want it (#82116-LEPT).
