Messerschmitt
Bf 109G-4, G-6 and G-14

Decal Sheets in 1/72, 1/48 & 1/32

EagleCals Decals

Reviewed by Brett Green

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Although the Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 was the most-produced variant of the most-produced fighter aircraft in history, it was not known for its wild colour schemes. The Gustav was manufactured during the mid-war period when Luftwaffe fighter camouflage was standardised in three shades of grey.

Even so, Eagle Editions has provided plenty of variety in markings and variants for the Messerschmitt enthusiast.

More than a year after their first 1/32 scale releases for the beautiful Hasegawa Bf 109G-6, EagleCals' has added the more recently released G-4 and G-14 kits to their sights.

In addition, they have answered the pleas of modellers wishing to build more than one subject on each sheet with a dedicated release of German national markings for the Bf 109 (although some of the markings will also be suitable for other German fighters too.

More good news is that these decals are all available in 1/72 and 1/48 scale as well as 1/32.

The three latest decal sheets are beautifully printed and in perfect register. Having used one of the earlier releases myself, I can attest that the national markings fit the 1/32 scale Hasegawa kit perfectly.

What sets these decals apart from other high quality offerings in the marketplace is the instructions, the research behind them and the consistent inclusion of very useful reference material. Jerry Crandall of Eagle Editions is a noted historian in the field of Luftwaffe fighter aircraft and he has shared a number of photos from his collection in each release as supporting reference for the colours and markings on the decals.

Specifically, the subjects covered on each sheet are:

EC#46 - Bf 109G-14s
JG 3, JG 5, JG 52 and JG 53

All aircraft carry a camouflage scheme of 74/75/76 Greys:

• Yellow 18, a Bf 109G-14 with a white fuselage band

• White 7, a Bf 109G-14 with a short tail and Erla Haube canopy with a narrow yellow tail band. Three great reference photos of this aircraft are recorded.

• Yellow 4, a Bf 109G-14 with tall tail and Erla Haube, with Black/Yellow RV band and yellow lower cowl

• White 5, Bf 109G-14 with a short tail and Erla Haube canopy with a narrow yellow tail band and yellow nose band (one photo via Steve Sheflin)

EC#47 - Bf 109G-6 Trops
JG 27 and JG 51

All aircraft carry a colour scheme of 74/75/76 Greys with white fuselage bands:

• Yellow 1, a Bf 109G-6 Trop with a double-bar IV Gruppe marking on the rear fuselage.

• White 3, a Bf 109G-6 Trop with an interesting, rectangular mottle under a sharp, mid-fuselage demarcation. Camera port in wing leading edge. Four excellent photos of this aircraft are included in the instructions.

• White 8

• Yellow 13, with a white II Gruppe bar in front of the aircraft number. A photo of this aircraft is included.

EC#48 - Bf 109G-4
JG 27, JG 52 and JG 53

All aircraft carry a colour scheme of 74/75/76 Greys unless otherwise noted:

• White 25 - Yellow rudder and lower cowl, spinner forward cap quartered in white and I./JG 27 Gruppe emblem on cowl.

• Yellow 3 - Interesting, small aircraft number over earlier number. Spinner quartered in RLM 70 / white with a yellow cap. Dachshund emblem under canopy. Good reference picture of this aircraft included.

• Black 12 - Also has a small aircraft number and similarly finished spinner to the aircraft above, but this time the Gruppe colour is red.

• Black 1 - RLM 78 and 79 with earlier number overpainted on the fuselage side, interrupting the original demarcation line. A large photo of this aircraft is included.

EC#49 - German National Insignia
(Scaled Black)

These will be very handy to use as extras for additional options on these or other decal sheets.

These new releases live up to the reputation earned by EagleCals' earlier productions.

The high quality of the decals themselves, combined with the one-stop reference photos in the instructions, make these an excellent choice for modellers building a Bf 109G in 1/72, 1/48 or 1/32 scale.

Recommended.

Thanks to Judy at Eagle Editions for the preview images

EagleCals decals are available from Eagle Editions Website or Hobby Retailers including Squadron.com
 

Preview Text Copyright © 2003 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 28 January, 2003
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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