1:48 Bf 109G-6

Photo-etched set for the Bf 109G-6, 1:48 scale

A set of photo-etched metal parts for a model of the Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 fighter in 1:48 scale. It is an accessory for a kit, not a model in its own right.

The real subject

The Bf 109G-6 is among the most numerously produced versions of this German fighter. It was powered by the inverted V12 DB 605, and what sets it apart from the earlier versions at a glance are the prominent bulges on the engine cowling, which covered the breeches of the large-caliber machine guns. That is exactly why it is the version modelers build most often, and the one where it pays to take the detail all the way.

What photo-etch adds to the model

Photo-etched sheet is an order of magnitude thinner than any plastic part, so the things that always come out too heavy in plastic look convincing on the model: grilles, flaps, belts and fine flat stiffeners. The range of parts and where they go are given in the instructions supplied with the set.

Building tips

• Cut the parts off on a hard surface with a sharp blade; scissors twist the metal.
• Bend them in a bending tool or over the edge of a steel ruler, not with your fingers.
• Glue them with cyanoacrylate glue applied drop by drop on the tip of a toothpick; ordinary polystyrene cement will not bond metal.
• Wash and degrease the sheet before painting and use a primer made for metal, or the paint will chip off.
• Offer the parts up dry first and compare them with the shape of your kit; photo-etch is usually cut for a particular model.

Who the set is for

For more experienced builders of aircraft models who want detail on a 1:48 scale model that matches its size. Working with tweezers and a steady hand are essential with photo-etch.

The package contains a photo-etched fret. The kit, paints and glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.