KIT:

ProModeler 1/32 Bf-109G-4

KIT #

 5981

PRICE:

 $34.98

DECALS:

 Three aircraft

REVIEWER:

 Scott Van Aken

NOTES:

 Hasegawa mold

HISTORY
 
We all know something about 109s. They are the most bought model kit outside of Japan. They are also the darlings of many and the disgust of a few. Not many people are ambivalent about them. You either like 109s or you don't. I do and don't get to build anywhere near enough of them. In fact, I haven't built a 109 since June of last year (that's over 9 months) and I think I'm having withdrawls!!!!

Anyway, the G-4 was an upgrade of the earlier G-2 variant and basically had a better radio and larger wheels (In later production versions). These later aircraft also had the tail wheel opening faired over as the larger wheel wouldn't fit any more. Early G-4s had the same wheels as the F and earlier G models with spokes, while the later versions had a solid wheel. This also meant that the early G-4s probably didn't have the wheel clearance bumps on the upper wing, as those were not needed until the wider wheels of the later G-4s and G-6 came into being. The G-4 also had small scoops just below the windscreen and didn't have the upper cowling bulges of the G-6.
 

THE KIT

This is basically a reboxing of the Hasegawa Bf-109G-4 kit. If you want to save yourself a few bucks over the Hase kit, then this is the one you should buy as they are the same. The plastic that comes in this kit is very much the same as in the Hasegawa Bf-109G-6 kit, though there are parts missing to enable you to make a G-6 from it. You simply have to make a few modifications to it and those are shown in the instructions. As with the G-6 kit, this one has the short tail and the heavily framed canopy.

To make it a G-4 they have tossed in some resin wheels of the spoked variety as you can see from the image. However, you will have to do your research to see if  the plane you are modeling has these wheels or if it is a later version. If the earlier version with the spoked wheels, then no upper wheel bulges. If the later version, then the plastic wheels and wheel bulges just like on a G-6.  Other things you have to do is to fill in some holes and engraved detail that is not germane to the G-4 variant. You also have to cut away a small protrusion on the upper cowl attachment area. I should also point out that the kit provides a clear piece (R3) for the underside of the left wing that is called a 'light'. It is actually a lower wing Morane antenna mount that was used on later 109s. This whole assembly and surrounding bits need to be filled in and sanded smooth prior to painting. 109 genealogy is not an exact science since updates were made on the production line whenever the parts became available.

Moving on to the decals. There are markings for three planes. One is yellow 8 from 6./JG 27 in RLM74/75/76 with fuselage mottling. This plane has the tropical filter on it and a white fuselage band and spinner. Next is Yellow 7 from 3./JG 53. This one is in full desert colors of RLM 79/80 over 78 and in a segmented scheme. It also has a white spinner and fuselage band. Finally, the box art plane, Black 1 from 8./JG 53. It is also a trop version and in RLM 79 over RLM 78. It has a yellow lower cowling and rudder with white spinner, fuselage band and upper/lower wing tips. The area around the number has been resprayed in RLM 79. All three show the spoked wheels, but you really need to check other sources as, generally speaking, spoked wheels = no upper wing clearance bump. The decals themselves are superbly done and should provide no hassles at all in application. A comprehensive data placement guide is also provided.

 

CONCLUSIONS

This is a superb kit. I built the Hasegawa Bf-109G-6 version and it was the most trouble-free Hasegawa kit I've ever built. Most highly recommended.

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