Revell 1/72 Bf-109G-10, previewed by Scott Van Aken

The Bf-109G-10 was basically an effort to consolidate many of the upgrades that were going into the 109K-4, but using older airframes. It was assumed for years that these were all rebuilt airframes, but that seems to have been ot the case with most being new build. Despite the desire to make these all the same, you would still find differences in the airframe with some having a tall tail wheel, some having larger wheels that required larger wing clearance fairings and some having slightly different rear engine cowling fairings. All had the same engine, the later canopy and a taller fin and rudder (though there were some differences here as well with some being all wood and others having metal upper fins).

It is things like this as well as a wide variety of camouflage schemes, that makes the 109 such a favorite with modelers.

New this kit is not. There is a 1996 date on the box and instructions, meaning it is 12-13 years old. It is also quite popular as the mold is starting to show some signs of wear. This first appears as flash and will later get to where the detail gets quite 'soft' from the wearing of the edges. It is flash on some of the parts that is showing on this kit. I also found some sink areas on the rudder and a small area of pock marks and gouges on the fuselage, though the latter could have been from the other sprues.

This kit first reached the US in the ProModeler boxing which provided different decals and better instructions. Revell AG's are the semi newsprint quality. The decals are well printed, matte and do not include swastikas.

A few things about this kit. First, the supercharger intake is a solid piece, meaning you'll have to drill it out. Second, for some odd reason, the clear head armor piece is molded to the fuselage halves and not clear. It looks quite silly and most of you will want to remove this piece. The cockpit is also a bit on the basic side with a seat that doesn't look like anything I can recall seeing in any other 109G-10 kit. However, aside from these items, it is quite well done and very much looks the part. For sure it is probably more accurate than the Hobby Boss kit, but not as much so as the superb, but pricey Fine Molds version. In fact, if you have built several Fine Molds kits, I'd recommend using the spares from them to spruce this one up. There are also other aftermarket bits available in the Loon Models range.

Revell instructions are well done and only include Revell paint references. There are two markings options. One is the box art plane of II./JG 7 in late 1944, painted in RLM 81/82/76. The other is from IV./JG 27 in early 1945 using the same colors. I'm not 100% sure that these planes would have carried yellow lower wing tips so I'd take that information with a large grain of salt. Decals are well done and include the fuselage bands and spinner spiral for those who'd rather not paint them on.

I'm going to recommend this kit as a good option for a 109G-10. It is less expensive than the Hobby Boss kit and probably more accurate. While not as accurate as the Fine Molds kit, it is seriously cheaper and even with a bit of aftermarket won't match the retail of the FM version.

You can find this and many other great kits and accessories at www.greatmodels.com

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

KIT #:	04160
PRICE:	$5.80 from GreatModels
DECALS:	Two Options
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES: