The Bf 109

Eduard’s Bf109 has already been presented in two previous releases. If you want to learn more about these releases made by Eduard of this well known German WWII fighter, please refer to the reviews already published on the subject here on Aeroscale:

Bf109 E-1
Bf109 Royal Class

Bf 109 E-4 Profipack

This Bf 109 E-4 Profipack kit is the 3rd release in Eduards Bf109 family of kits.
Upon opening Eduard’s standard sturdy top opening box you are greeted by the following:

- 4 sprues of olive green coloured injected plastic.
- 1 sprue of transparent plastic.
- 2 photo etched frets of which one is pre-painted.
- 1 sheet of pre-cut masks.
- 1 instruction booklet.
- 2 decal sheets.

As usual there is a huge amount of parts in the kit. This is because Like Eduard’s Fw190A kits The Bf109 Family also features full engine, armament, landing gear details, and a parts provided for other variants that won't be used.

The first obvious difference between this and their first release of the E-1 is an all-new wing sprue containing parts with the prominent under-wing bulges for the 20mm MG FF cannons and revised access panels. The other difference is the clear sprue is includes parts for the latter ‘square type’ canopy and also including the modified front canopy section to include the telescope of Adolf Gallands aircraft. Owners of the Royal Class kit will already recognise these sprues as they are the same ones from that kit.

The kit also comprises of a sheet of precut masks and two photo etched frets for additional details. Some of the metal parts are pre-painted (seat belts, instrument panels and side consoles, etc...). whereas the majority of the plain etch provides grills and other cockpit detailing.

Instructions and decals

The instructions are an A4 sized 16 page booklet printed in colour. It comprises a brief history of the aircraft in both English and Czech language, a parts layout diagram, a paint colour table (with Gunze reference numbers), 8 pages of construction guide, 5 pages of full colour and decal guides (all with 4 view drawings) and one page with a stencil marking placement guide.
The five marking options are as follows:

A - W.Nr. 5587 Ofw. Fritz Beeck, 6./JG 51, Wissant, France - 24 August 1940
B - W.Nr. 5344 Maj. Helmut Wick, Geschwaderkommodore JG2, Beaumont, France – November 1940
C – Lt. Josef Eberle, 9./JG 54, The Netherland – August 1940
D - W.Nr. 1480, Oblt. Franz von Werra Gruppenadjutant II./JG 3, Wierre-au-Bois, France – 5 Sept 1940
E – W.Nr. 5819 Obslt. Adolf Galland, Geschwaderkommodore JG26, Audembert, France – Dec 1940

Of the two decal sheets all the markings for the four options are on one sheet and the stencil data is on the other. The two decal sheets have been printed by Eduard and are in perfect registration in my sample.

Conclusion

It would appear that Eduard have listened to modellers that complained about the fit of the cowlings on their Fw190 kits if you wish to not show all the gun bays, etc. For the 109 you have the option of doing both by displaying the gun bay and engine, or not attaching certain parts to the engine so the cowling will fit with minimal issues. I would still recommend this kit for the more experienced modellers though as Eduard kits don't build themselves like Tamiya or Hasegawa kits. So it will still requires great care and precision during the assembly.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AeroScale.