1:24 Bf-109G-6

The Gustav with bulges on the cowling

The sixth variant of the Gustav was produced from February 1943 and it was the most numerous Messerschmitt of the war. Its recognition marks are two pronounced elongated bulges on the upper cowling, under which the breeches of the thirteen-millimeter MG 131 machine guns hide, replacing the older weapons of smaller caliber. Beside them came a taller fin, a longer tail wheel leg and, on the later series, a wooden vertical tail surface as well.

The glazing on this version is still of the older cut, that is heavily divided: a windscreen with a hinged side panel, a central section hinged to the right and a fixed rear teardrop. Behind the pilot's head sits a square armor plate on a tubular frame, which will call for its own treatment during painting, because it reaches into the area of the canopy.

The scope of the masks in the package

The sheet holds two sets of shapes for the canopy. The outer covers the clear panes while the upper camouflage and the light underside are sprayed, the inner matches the same framing from the opposite side, so that the cockpit color can be sprayed even where the model is not accessible once glued. With the two masks of national insignia go the crosses on the fuselage or the wings, which through a stencil can be had with a perfectly sharp edge.

It is sensible to paint the armor plate behind the pilot's head separately and to fit it only once the framing has dried, or two fresh coats will touch and the edge will blur. On the fuselage crosses it helps to spray a light base first and only then the dark color over it, so that the marking does not show through. This is an accessory for a kit; neither the aircraft model itself nor paints are part of the package.