AZmodel 1/72 Messerschmitt Bf 109G4 “Gustav 4”
By Steve Hustad
Overview
The Messerschmitt Bf 109G4 was a mid-production variant of the famous '109 series that served primarily from late 1942 to early 1944, and then was relegated to the training squadrons by the up-gunned and heavier '109G5 & G6 types.
The only previous kit of this specific type that I'm aware of is the very nice Fine Molds kits from the mid-2000s, but those cost substantially more than this one (which was recently priced at $18.75 at Roll Models online, vs. $30.00 for the Fine Molds kit). Then there's the Hasegawa "G" re-tooled (sort of) from the early 1990's which isn't too bad, but suffers from some outline issues and an overall lack of detail and features.
Some 1/72nd Scale '109G Kit History
Now for a bit of 1/72nd scale early Bf 109G kit history. The previously mentioned Fine Molds kit is the 'king' of the '109Gs in 1/72nd scale, followed by the older Italeri offering (gag), the even older original 1960's Airfix monstrosity, and then the much newer Airfix re-tool of just a few years ago that's obviously not intended for the serious scale modeler...
Other ancient candidates from Hawk, Lindberg, Heller and Frog are not worth mentioning (whoops!). Now onto AZmodel's new offering -
The Kit
This kit is molded in medium tan/sand colored & clear plastic, on three different sprues. Also included are two small decal sheets, one with markings for four different Bf 109G4s, the other with typically found Bf 109G stencils. Also a four page color instruction sheet printed on glossy paper. The rear box art supplies the color scheme art/guides for the four options included.
Of interest is that the sprues include parts so that pretty much every '109G variant can be modeled up to a G14, though with the canopy provided (one piece, early type) will restrict the builder to modeling only those fitted with the three piece canopy unless replaced with one of the vacform aftermarket options. You can tell that late '109 variants are planned by AZ Model as one sprue even includes the elongated upper wing wheel bumps found on G10s and K4s!
Needless to say, but many (all?) of the sprues included here are the virtually the same as in previous and subsequent releases – only varying by box art, instructions, and decal scheme options provided.
Let's start with the quality of the molding - pretty good with no flash, small sprue gates, no 'short-shots', or otherwise 'blobby' looking pieces. Generally speaking, the panel lines are very finely recessed and accurately located. Not too deep or wide as is often seen (Airfix are you listening?). As is my usual quick review process, I cut apart and test fit all of the major components and I'm happy to report that I can find no fit issues other than things are a bit loose fitting if anything, but no serious gaps or difficult seams to be aware of anywhere.
The only real criticism I have is that the interior cockpit's sidewall detail is a bit soft and the detail does get rather indistinct in there. On the plus side, this kit provides very nice wheel well detail which is also of a convincing depth and it's very well rendered. No remediation will be required there.
Also impressive is the finely molded bucket seat and wheel hub detail - no resin replacements need apply! Sadly, but not unexpectedly, this kit does not feature separated ailerons, slats, or elevators, though the rudder is separate for the early counter-balanced G variants. And the lower half of each wing's flap is indeed separated, but not the upper halves. The lower half and it's upper mate both exhibit fine interior detail molded into the both.
Bf 109G part shapes that are often gotten wrong by other manufacturers, and happily correct here – like the spinner, engine intake(s), MG cowl bumps (for the later Gs), drop tank, prop blades (two types), and the sometimes tricky fuselage plan and cross-section.
Fit overall as I mentioned is a bit loose here and there, but is still acceptably tight, without gaps, or built in stresses. We should be able to put this kit together without using hardly any filler.
I did compare this kit's dimensions to my favorite set of Bf 109G plans in 1/72nd scale – those from the old Koku-Fan # 57 "Me 109 vs. Fw 190" book from the 1980s(?), and it scaled out quite well, only showing a 1.5mm variation in the fuselage length (a tad too long), and about 2mm too short in the wingspan. These are variations that will never be noticed and are within acceptable limits of accuracy no matter what plans we'd be comparing them to!
The instructions are in color, but basic for the type, and adequate for the purpose. A nice decal stenciling diagram is provided as well as some detail on cockpit item colors which is helpful for picking out those individual components.
Our thanks to AZmodel for the review sample.