Tamiya Model Magazine International Issue 217 11/2013

I'm sure we've all built a Messer Schmitt Bf 109 or two or maybe three in our day, so it will be interesting to see how this Eduard kit stacks up to the competition. The model comes nicely boxed with loads of extras. Two sheets of photo-etch metal, with one being pre-painted for seatbelts and instrument panel, a pre-cut self adhesive canopy mask set and a very nice decal sheet for five different aircraft. The sixteen-page instruction sheet is well done with clear assembly sequences,
good colour call outs and beautiful renderings for painting and decaling. Examining the kit contents reveals some fine surface detail. The engraved panel lines and rivet detail being very well done. No major flash or ejector pin marks to deal with, good job Eduard. The construction of the kit starts with the cockpit. The side wall detail is enhanced by some photo-etched pieces such as a trim wheel and fuse panel and the rudder pedals are photo-etched as well. The overall cockpit detail is excellent and when painted, given a colour-wash and drybrushed looks very convincing. The seat-belts are the coloured photo-etch and are quite nice. You get a choice of using the standard injection moulded plastic instrument panel or the pre-painted coloured photo-etch with the latter being the one I chose. Small photo-etch levers and switches on the panel are a bit of a challenge, so get your finest tweezers and magnifier, take your time, and you'll be rewarded with a great looking cockpit right out of the box.

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