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Hasegawa 1:48 Bf 109G-2
Aircraft Review
Kit No. #J13:1600
Pros- The best Bf 109G-2 in its scale. Dimensions are the most accurate. Slats are separate from the airframe and are able to be positioned as desired.
Cons- Cockpit detail a bit scarce for today’s standards.
Introduction
The Bf 109 G-series was developed from the largely identical F-series airframe, although there were detail differences. Modifications included a reinforced wing structure, an internal bullet-proof windscreen, the use of heavier, welded framing for the cockpit transparencies, and additional light-alloy armour for the fuel tank. It was originally intended that the wheel wells would incorporate small doors to cover the outer portion of the wheels when retracted. To incorporate these the outer wheel bays were squared off. Two small inlet scoops for additional cooling of the spark plugs were added on both sides of the forward engine cowlings. A less obvious difference was the omission of the boundary layer bypass outlets, which had been a feature of the F-series, on the upper radiator flaps. (taken from Wikepedia)
The Kit
The Hasegawa Bf 109 has been around for the last 20-25 years now. They have had 30+ boxings of this kit. However, this review consists of the Bf 109G-2 standard kit. Of note is that this kit can be built as a tropical G-2 or as an F version, as Hasegawa just included the G modifications to the “F” moulds.
Hasegawa has had a firm claim on the G series ever since it was released. The closest a kit has come to taking over is the recent release by eduard. However, this kit is only available in the G-6 version and offers very little options. Additionally, the eduard kit is plagued with dimensional problems, despite its refined surface detail. In my opinion, the Hasegawa kit still is the best in the “G” series of the Bf 109s.
The kit bears cockpit detail which was undoubtedly more than passable when it was produced, but now it could benefit from aftermarket seatbelts. However, the cockpit scrubs up very well with a careful paint job. The instrument panel has more than enough detail, and with a good paint job, it should turn up fine. For a closed canopy build, this should be more than acceptable. However, if you are doing an open cockpit build, I would invest in an eduard zoom set (fe316). The resin Aires set (#4271 1/48 Messerschmitt Bf-109G-2 Cockpit Set), will provide the best cockpit detail you will ever get. When I built several of these, I used both of these aftermarket sets to create a highly detailed cockpit.
For the weapons bay, the ends of the machine guns are excellently moulded. The wheel bays could benefit from some scratch building for 1 or 2 spars, but without it, it would look more than passable all the same. The airframe’s surfaces are cleanly moulded, with the panel lines all being recessed and very fine. Something to note is that there is not a hint of flash on any of the kit parts, despite the age of this kit. There are selective rows of rivets on the airframe as well. A big plus is that the slats, flaps and radiator flaps are moulded individually allowing it to be posed open for added variety. If posing the radiator flaps open, it could benefit from some scratchbuilding for some spars. This would be an easy task to do with some plastic strip. The external fuel tank is included, but no other ordinance is included. Wheels are moulded as single pieces. Although there is a seam, it is very slight.
The clear parts are nice and clear with no distortion effect. The only downside is that it was a bit scuffed during it’s time in the box, but some polishing should bring it up. On clarity, I would rate it as being 8.5/10. The Revi gun-sight is moulded very well in clear plastic. This is the most detailed Revi I have seen out of the box in 1:48.
Markings
White '<<- -', JG54, Summer 1942.
Black '<< -', II/JG52, September 1942.
White '-5', II/JG51, August 1942.
Black '13 ~', 8./JG52, September 1942.
Black '<2 |', III/JG52, Spring 1943.
'MT-201', LeLv34 Finnish Air Force, 1943.
The decals are a massive plus here, having 5 schemes. The decals go on fine, and are nice and thin. However, the “white” is more so like an ivory colour which is quite annoying. However, this effect is only present on the fifth scheme. The rest of the decals are fine and present a large variety of schemes. Colour instructions for the colour scheme is provided which is something I appreciate. The schemes also have options for several fighter aces, including Gunther Rall’s aircraft. Swastikas are included in this kit.
Cheers, John
[ATTACH]100707.IPB[/ATTACH]
Hasegawa 1:48 Bf 109G-2
Aircraft Review
Kit No. #J13:1600
Pros- The best Bf 109G-2 in its scale. Dimensions are the most accurate. Slats are separate from the airframe and are able to be positioned as desired.
Cons- Cockpit detail a bit scarce for today’s standards.
Introduction
The Bf 109 G-series was developed from the largely identical F-series airframe, although there were detail differences. Modifications included a reinforced wing structure, an internal bullet-proof windscreen, the use of heavier, welded framing for the cockpit transparencies, and additional light-alloy armour for the fuel tank. It was originally intended that the wheel wells would incorporate small doors to cover the outer portion of the wheels when retracted. To incorporate these the outer wheel bays were squared off. Two small inlet scoops for additional cooling of the spark plugs were added on both sides of the forward engine cowlings. A less obvious difference was the omission of the boundary layer bypass outlets, which had been a feature of the F-series, on the upper radiator flaps. (taken from Wikepedia)
The Kit
The Hasegawa Bf 109 has been around for the last 20-25 years now. They have had 30+ boxings of this kit. However, this review consists of the Bf 109G-2 standard kit. Of note is that this kit can be built as a tropical G-2 or as an F version, as Hasegawa just included the G modifications to the “F” moulds.
Hasegawa has had a firm claim on the G series ever since it was released. The closest a kit has come to taking over is the recent release by eduard. However, this kit is only available in the G-6 version and offers very little options. Additionally, the eduard kit is plagued with dimensional problems, despite its refined surface detail. In my opinion, the Hasegawa kit still is the best in the “G” series of the Bf 109s.
The kit bears cockpit detail which was undoubtedly more than passable when it was produced, but now it could benefit from aftermarket seatbelts. However, the cockpit scrubs up very well with a careful paint job. The instrument panel has more than enough detail, and with a good paint job, it should turn up fine. For a closed canopy build, this should be more than acceptable. However, if you are doing an open cockpit build, I would invest in an eduard zoom set (fe316). The resin Aires set (#4271 1/48 Messerschmitt Bf-109G-2 Cockpit Set), will provide the best cockpit detail you will ever get. When I built several of these, I used both of these aftermarket sets to create a highly detailed cockpit.
For the weapons bay, the ends of the machine guns are excellently moulded. The wheel bays could benefit from some scratch building for 1 or 2 spars, but without it, it would look more than passable all the same. The airframe’s surfaces are cleanly moulded, with the panel lines all being recessed and very fine. Something to note is that there is not a hint of flash on any of the kit parts, despite the age of this kit. There are selective rows of rivets on the airframe as well. A big plus is that the slats, flaps and radiator flaps are moulded individually allowing it to be posed open for added variety. If posing the radiator flaps open, it could benefit from some scratchbuilding for some spars. This would be an easy task to do with some plastic strip. The external fuel tank is included, but no other ordinance is included. Wheels are moulded as single pieces. Although there is a seam, it is very slight.
The clear parts are nice and clear with no distortion effect. The only downside is that it was a bit scuffed during it’s time in the box, but some polishing should bring it up. On clarity, I would rate it as being 8.5/10. The Revi gun-sight is moulded very well in clear plastic. This is the most detailed Revi I have seen out of the box in 1:48.
Markings
White '<<- -', JG54, Summer 1942.
Black '<< -', II/JG52, September 1942.
White '-5', II/JG51, August 1942.
Black '13 ~', 8./JG52, September 1942.
Black '<2 |', III/JG52, Spring 1943.
'MT-201', LeLv34 Finnish Air Force, 1943.
The decals are a massive plus here, having 5 schemes. The decals go on fine, and are nice and thin. However, the “white” is more so like an ivory colour which is quite annoying. However, this effect is only present on the fifth scheme. The rest of the decals are fine and present a large variety of schemes. Colour instructions for the colour scheme is provided which is something I appreciate. The schemes also have options for several fighter aces, including Gunther Rall’s aircraft. Swastikas are included in this kit.
Cheers, John
[ATTACH]100707.IPB[/ATTACH]
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