In Box Review of Revell 1/32nd Scale Messerschmitt Bf 109G “Gustav”
German Fighter
Kit no. H-279
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1969
Out of production.
I paid $15.00 for this kit years ago.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1969
Out of production.
I paid $15.00 for this kit years ago.
HISTORY:
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is a German World War II fighter aircraft that was, along with the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, the backbone of the Luftwaffe's fighter force. The Bf 109 first saw operational service in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War and was still in service at the end of World War II in 1945. It was one of the most advanced fighters when it first appeared, with an all-metal monocoque construction, a closed canopy, and retractable landing gear.
It was powered by a liquid-cooled, inverted-V12 aero engine. It was called the Me 109 by Allied aircrew and some German aces, even though this was not the official German designation. The plane was designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser who worked at Bayerische Flugzeugwerke during the early to mid-1930s. It was conceived as an interceptor, although later models were developed to fulfill multiple tasks, serving as bomber escort, fighter-bomber, day-, night-, all-weather fighter, ground-attack aircraft, and aerial Reconnaissance aircraft. It was supplied to several states during World War II and served with several countries for many years after the war.
The Bf 109 is the most produced fighter aircraft in history, with a total of 34,248 airframes produced from 1936 to April 1945. Some of the Bf 109 production took place in Nazi concentration camps through slave labor. The Bf 109 was flown by the three top-scoring fighter aces of all time, who claimed 928 victories among them while flying with Jagdgeschwader 52, mainly on the Eastern Front. The highest-scoring, Erich Hartmann, was credited with 352 victories.
The aircraft was also flown by Hans-Joachim Marseille, the highest-scoring ace in the North African campaign who shot down 158 enemy aircraft (in about a third of the time). It was also flown by many aces from other countries fighting with Germany, notably the Finn Ilmari Juutilainen, the highest-scoring non-German ace. Pilots from Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Italy also flew the Bf 109. Through constant development, the Bf 109 remained competitive with the latest Allied fighter aircraft until the end of the war.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: 1
Length: 8.95 m (29 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 9.925 m (32 ft 7 in)
Height: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 16.05 m2 (172.8 sq ft)
Airfoil: NACA 2R1 14.2; tip: NACA 2R1 11.35
Empty weight: 2,247 kg (4,954 lb.)
Gross weight: 3,148 kg (6,940 lb.)
Max takeoff weight: 3,400 kg (7,496 lb.)
Powerplant: 1 × Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1 V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engine 1,475 PS (1,455 hp; 1,085 kW)
Propellers: 3-bladed VDM 9-12087, 3 m (9 ft 10 in) diameter light-alloy constant-speed propeller
Maximum speed: 520 km/h (320 mph, 280 knot) at sea level, 588 km/h (365 mph;317 knot) at 4,000 m (13,123 ft), 642 km/h (399 mph; 347 knot) at 6,300 m (20,669 ft), 622 km/h (386 mph; 336 knot) at 8,000 m (26,247 ft)
Cruise speed: 590 km/h (370 mph, 320 knot) at 6,000 m (19,685 ft)
Range: 880–1,144 km (547–711 mi, 475–618 nm.)
Combat range: 440–572 km (273–355 mi, 238–309 nm.) 440-572 km to the front and back home
Ferry range: 1,144–1,994 km (711–1,239 mi, 618–1,077 nm.) 1144 without and 1994 with drop-tank
Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 20.1 m/s (3,960 ft/min)
Wing loading: 196 kg/m2 (40 lb./sq ft)
Power/mass: 0.344 kW/kg (0.209 hp/lb.)
Armament:
Guns: 2 × 13 mm (.51 in) synchronized MG 131 machine guns with 300 rpg or 1 × 20 mm (.78 in) MG 151/20 cannon as centerline Motorkanone with 200 rpg[89] or1 x 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 108 cannon as centerline Motorkanone with 65 rpg (G-6/U4 variant) or 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 underwing cannon pods with 135 rpg (optional kit—Rüstsatz VI)
Rockets: 2 × 21 cm (8 in) Wfr. Gr. 21 rockets (G-6 with BR21)
Bombs: 1 × 250 kg (551 lb.) bomb or 4 × 50 kg (110 lb.) bombs or 1 × 300-litre (79 US gal) drop tank
Avionics: FuG 16Z radio
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is a German World War II fighter aircraft that was, along with the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, the backbone of the Luftwaffe's fighter force. The Bf 109 first saw operational service in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War and was still in service at the end of World War II in 1945. It was one of the most advanced fighters when it first appeared, with an all-metal monocoque construction, a closed canopy, and retractable landing gear.
It was powered by a liquid-cooled, inverted-V12 aero engine. It was called the Me 109 by Allied aircrew and some German aces, even though this was not the official German designation. The plane was designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser who worked at Bayerische Flugzeugwerke during the early to mid-1930s. It was conceived as an interceptor, although later models were developed to fulfill multiple tasks, serving as bomber escort, fighter-bomber, day-, night-, all-weather fighter, ground-attack aircraft, and aerial Reconnaissance aircraft. It was supplied to several states during World War II and served with several countries for many years after the war.
The Bf 109 is the most produced fighter aircraft in history, with a total of 34,248 airframes produced from 1936 to April 1945. Some of the Bf 109 production took place in Nazi concentration camps through slave labor. The Bf 109 was flown by the three top-scoring fighter aces of all time, who claimed 928 victories among them while flying with Jagdgeschwader 52, mainly on the Eastern Front. The highest-scoring, Erich Hartmann, was credited with 352 victories.
The aircraft was also flown by Hans-Joachim Marseille, the highest-scoring ace in the North African campaign who shot down 158 enemy aircraft (in about a third of the time). It was also flown by many aces from other countries fighting with Germany, notably the Finn Ilmari Juutilainen, the highest-scoring non-German ace. Pilots from Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Italy also flew the Bf 109. Through constant development, the Bf 109 remained competitive with the latest Allied fighter aircraft until the end of the war.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: 1
Length: 8.95 m (29 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 9.925 m (32 ft 7 in)
Height: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 16.05 m2 (172.8 sq ft)
Airfoil: NACA 2R1 14.2; tip: NACA 2R1 11.35
Empty weight: 2,247 kg (4,954 lb.)
Gross weight: 3,148 kg (6,940 lb.)
Max takeoff weight: 3,400 kg (7,496 lb.)
Powerplant: 1 × Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1 V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engine 1,475 PS (1,455 hp; 1,085 kW)
Propellers: 3-bladed VDM 9-12087, 3 m (9 ft 10 in) diameter light-alloy constant-speed propeller
Maximum speed: 520 km/h (320 mph, 280 knot) at sea level, 588 km/h (365 mph;317 knot) at 4,000 m (13,123 ft), 642 km/h (399 mph; 347 knot) at 6,300 m (20,669 ft), 622 km/h (386 mph; 336 knot) at 8,000 m (26,247 ft)
Cruise speed: 590 km/h (370 mph, 320 knot) at 6,000 m (19,685 ft)
Range: 880–1,144 km (547–711 mi, 475–618 nm.)
Combat range: 440–572 km (273–355 mi, 238–309 nm.) 440-572 km to the front and back home
Ferry range: 1,144–1,994 km (711–1,239 mi, 618–1,077 nm.) 1144 without and 1994 with drop-tank
Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 20.1 m/s (3,960 ft/min)
Wing loading: 196 kg/m2 (40 lb./sq ft)
Power/mass: 0.344 kW/kg (0.209 hp/lb.)
Armament:
Guns: 2 × 13 mm (.51 in) synchronized MG 131 machine guns with 300 rpg or 1 × 20 mm (.78 in) MG 151/20 cannon as centerline Motorkanone with 200 rpg[89] or1 x 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 108 cannon as centerline Motorkanone with 65 rpg (G-6/U4 variant) or 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 underwing cannon pods with 135 rpg (optional kit—Rüstsatz VI)
Rockets: 2 × 21 cm (8 in) Wfr. Gr. 21 rockets (G-6 with BR21)
Bombs: 1 × 250 kg (551 lb.) bomb or 4 × 50 kg (110 lb.) bombs or 1 × 300-litre (79 US gal) drop tank
Avionics: FuG 16Z radio
THE KIT:
Revell is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer, based in Venice, CA. USA. They make all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of 3 Bf 109Gs taking off from a snow-covered field. The nearest one is still on the ground and moving. The other is airborne and is folding its wheels.
Both aircraft are in a base of light-grey, with a dark-green blotch pattern camouflage on their spines.
The one still on the ground has a yellow spinner, a double white chevrons, pointed forward on the fuselage sides, followed by a black and white German cross on a yellow fuselage band and a white horizontal bar, outlined in black. Black and white crosses under the wings. Tips of the bottom of the wings is yellow. It has an insignia of a green heart, outlined in white under the cockpit.
The airborne one is in the same color pattern, with the crosses, but no other markings shown. It has black and white spiral on the spinner.
The top of the box art says: the kit has a 11” length and a 12 ¼” wingspan. It is a ready to assemble plastic model kit.
One side-panel of the box begins with a small color repeat of the box art. Followed by a one-paragraph history of the Bf 109G and two color box arts of other aircraft kits that Revell manufactures: A Supermarine Seafighter and a Curtiss P-40E “Aleutian Tiger”. No kit numbers are given for them. I assume they are to 1/32nd scale. The copyright of the kit is 1969. Revell is said to reside in Venice, CA . Kit was made and printed in the USA.
Revell is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer, based in Venice, CA. USA. They make all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of 3 Bf 109Gs taking off from a snow-covered field. The nearest one is still on the ground and moving. The other is airborne and is folding its wheels.
Both aircraft are in a base of light-grey, with a dark-green blotch pattern camouflage on their spines.
The one still on the ground has a yellow spinner, a double white chevrons, pointed forward on the fuselage sides, followed by a black and white German cross on a yellow fuselage band and a white horizontal bar, outlined in black. Black and white crosses under the wings. Tips of the bottom of the wings is yellow. It has an insignia of a green heart, outlined in white under the cockpit.
The airborne one is in the same color pattern, with the crosses, but no other markings shown. It has black and white spiral on the spinner.
The top of the box art says: the kit has a 11” length and a 12 ¼” wingspan. It is a ready to assemble plastic model kit.
One side-panel of the box begins with a small color repeat of the box art. Followed by a one-paragraph history of the Bf 109G and two color box arts of other aircraft kits that Revell manufactures: A Supermarine Seafighter and a Curtiss P-40E “Aleutian Tiger”. No kit numbers are given for them. I assume they are to 1/32nd scale. The copyright of the kit is 1969. Revell is said to reside in Venice, CA . Kit was made and printed in the USA.
The other side panel repeats the measurements of the mode. Followed by color illustrations of: features of the kit: A finely engineered, detailed, miniature of the Daimler-Benz engine which powered the Bf-109G. Removable cowling reveals the engine. Super-detailed cockpit interior with detailed instrument panel. Hinged canopy. Highly detailed pilot figure in flight suit. Retractable landing gear. Movable wheels and propeller. Movable control surfaces. Realistic flush riveting and skin lines. Official Luftwaffe markings.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds 7 dark-green parts trees, a clear tree and the decal sheet. Nothing is cello bagged.
Trees are not alphabetized or illustrated in the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 6 pages in 10” x 7 ¾” page format. Folded once again to fit the box.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art. Over the history and specifications of the Bf-109G.
Page 2 begins with BEFORE YOU BEGIN instructions, with illustrations of tools you will need to build the model.
The bottom of page 2 on through to page 6 gives a grand total of 9 assembly steps.
Parts-trees are not illustrated in the instructions. Nor is there any coloring and marking guide either. Bad move Revell !
The 1st dark-green tree holds: a fuselage half, drop tank, propeller, engine halves, gun fairings, cockpit armor plate, upper nose plate, right upper wing half (13 parts)
This kit holds 7 dark-green parts trees, a clear tree and the decal sheet. Nothing is cello bagged.
Trees are not alphabetized or illustrated in the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 6 pages in 10” x 7 ¾” page format. Folded once again to fit the box.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art. Over the history and specifications of the Bf-109G.
Page 2 begins with BEFORE YOU BEGIN instructions, with illustrations of tools you will need to build the model.
The bottom of page 2 on through to page 6 gives a grand total of 9 assembly steps.
Parts-trees are not illustrated in the instructions. Nor is there any coloring and marking guide either. Bad move Revell !
The 1st dark-green tree holds: a fuselage half, drop tank, propeller, engine halves, gun fairings, cockpit armor plate, upper nose plate, right upper wing half (13 parts)
The 2nd dark-green tree holds the lower wings (1 part)
The 3rd dark-green tree holds: air intakes, exhaust stacks, tail wheel brace, elevators and their flaps, main gear doors, an air-intake screen, rudder pedals, gun sight, joy-stick and engine top plate. (26 parts)
The 4th dark-green tree holds the other fuselage half (1 part)
The 5th dark-green part is the upper left wing half (1 part)
The 6th dark-green tree holds: the main and tail wheels, spinner and it’s back plate, cannon, wing flap halves and wheel hubs (14 parts)
The 7th dark-green tree holds: cockpit side panels, wing balances, seat frames etc. (8 parts)
The clear tree holds the canopy pieces (3 parts)
Loose dark-green parts that have broken off trees, consist of: the spinner, elevator flap, cockpit floor, engine bottom panel, seat, unknown part, nose front plate, dashboard, engine reduction-gear housing.
The decal sheet complete the kit's contents.
The detail is very good.
Recommended.
Recommended.