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Messerschmitt Me 109G-2

 

Ilmavoimat 1943-44

 

1/32 Scale Finnish Decals

 

 

MDC

 

S u m m a r y

Catalogue Number: D3207
Scale: 1/32
Contents and Media: One decal sheet 204mm x 142mm; double-sides A-4 full colour instructions; half-page history sheet.
Price: £7.00 online from MDC's website
Review Type: First Look
Advantages: Five interesting subjects; perfect registration; minimal carrier film; Finnish-language stencils included; mix of trop and non trop; excellent colour diagrams; helpful historical notes.
Disadvantages:  
Recommendation: Recommended

 

Reviewed by Brett Green


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FirstLook

 

MDC continues their theme of 1/32 scale Finnish decal subjects with their recent release - Messerschmitt Me 109G-2 Ilmavoimat 1943-1944.

The five subjects each wear one of two schemes. The first is the familiar Luftwaffe RLM 74/75/76 greys. Two of the aircraft, however, are finished in Finnish Olive Green and Black with RLM 65 lower surfaces. All Finnish 109s were delivered in Luftwaffe colours, and this scheme was only applied to aircraft that had been refurbished or repaired.

Two sets of the Finnish hakaristi (hooked crosses) markings are supplied. One set has a white background, while the second set has the "toned down" blue-grey circle behind the cross. Yellow Eastern Front theatre markings on the nose, wingtips and fuselage band are also featured on each aircraft

In addition to the different schemes, there are also plenty of subtle differences between the subjects. Individual aircraft numbers are provided in white, red and yellow. These are applied either on the nose or, in one case, behind the canopy. One aircraft displays a personal piece of artwork on the mid-fuselage - an Ace of Hearts - while another features the short fixed tail wheel style of the Bf 109G-6, including a faired over cover. This will eliminate one more conversion task when building the Revell/Hasegawa kit. Yet another is fitted with a tropical filter for the supercharger intake.

The decals are supplied on a single 204mm x 142mm sheet. They are well printed with perfect registration and minimal carrier film. A nice inclusion is one full set of Finnish-language stencils. Extra black digits are also supplied for different serial numbers - a thoughtful extra.

The instructions are printed in full colour on a double-sided A4 glossy sheet. A brief history of the Bf 109G-2 in Finnish service is also provided on a half A4 sized sheet.

Both Revell and Hasegawa have released a Bf 109G-4 in 1/32 scale. This kit needs some modifications to accurately depict the G-2 variant (or even a G-4 for that matter). Some of the modifications are noted in my 2002 review of the Revell 1/32 scale G-4/Trop kit reviewed elsewhere on HyperScale. At the very least you will want to leave off the bumps on the top of the wings and replace the wheels with True Details early style narrow wheels, but there are a number of other smaller details too.

MDC's Messerschmitt Me 109G-2 Ilmavoimat 1943-1944 is a high quality production that will give your big Hasegawa Gustav a very different finish.

Recommended.

Thanks to MDC for the review sample.


MDC and Adeco accessories and decals are available from MDC's website


Text Copyright © 2005 by Brett Green
Page Created 06 April, 2005
Last updated 06 April, 2005

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