Eagle Editions | EC42: Bf 109G-6s JG 3, JG 5, JG 52 and JG 77
Reviewed by Mark Proulx
The Bf 109G-6 has always been a popular aircraft amongst modelers. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that an increasing number of schemes are becoming available in 1/32nd scale for Hasegawa's Bf 109G-6. This is a review of the third of four new releases from Jerry Crandall of Eagle Editions. Similar to previous releases, four new schemes are included with this decal sheet.
Jerry continues in the same proven format with his instructions. They are printed on high quality glossy paper over six pages. The instructions include complete stencil diagrams for the Bf 109G-6, photographs, color views and extensive text. All this combines to make a great one-stop reference source. All decal placement instructions are precisely detailed and easy to understand. The photographs are clear and nicely printed. The color top and side views should be of great assistance to the modeler. The topside views are especially helpful given the number of different schemes attributable to this aircraft.
Major Horst Carganico, in his elaborately adorned Bf 109G-6 "Mickey Mouse", flew the first aircraft to have markings included with this decal sheet. This colorful aircraft is shown as it appeared in Finland in March, 1944 when assigned to II./JG 5. It is a very colorful aircraft with its large Mickey Mouse emblem applied to both fuselage sides. The paint scheme could prove very interesting to apply. It is RLM 74, 75 and 76 oversprayed with a winter white camouflage that has subsequently faded and grayed out. A black and white photograph is included for additional reference. However, there are no known photographs of the right side of this aircraft so the markings are provisional at the time of this review.
The next aircraft is a Bf 109G-6/Trop. Uffz. Lindeman operated this aircraft in the summer of 1943 with 9./JG 77. A right side profile and photograph are included but no mention is made in the text if the tropical filter was installed. Jerry has informed me that other aircraft of this group appear to have the tropical filter installed, so it is likely that this aircraft was so equipped. Look to aftermarket products for the filter as it is not included with the Hasegawa kit at the time of this review. The aircraft is completed in an RLM 74, 75 and 76 scheme.
The third aircraft is "Yellow 6" which was flown by Oberfeldwebel Alfred Surau in September 1943 when assigned to 9./JG 3. This colorful Gustav gunboat, with its lavishly decorated fuselage breech covers, is finished in RLM 74, 75 and 76. A FuG 16zy antenna is required to be added under the fuselage as specified in the instructions.
Finally, Jerry includes markings for a Bf 109G-6 flown by one of the members of the 300 Club, Gruppenkommandeur Hptm. Gerhard Barkhorn with II./JG 52. Jerry states that this aircraft, "Black double chevron 5", is often mis-identified as a Bf 109G-5. However, a fresh air door in the fuselage side, among other identifiable items, gives away its correct lineage. EagleCals supplies plenty of supporting documentation for this famous aircraft. Three black and white photographs are included in addition to the color profiles. It is nice to finally see a starboard fuselage photograph clearly showing that the additional scoop and compressor bulge needs to be installed as included in the Hasegawa kit. Photographs clearly show the Stammkennzeichen letters I and N on the underside of the wing missed by other decal manufacturers. This shows the incredible attention to detail we have all come to expect with EagleCals. This immaculately maintained Messerschmitt is finished in RLM 74, 75 and 75 with a heavy mottling of RLM 74 and 75 on the fuselage.
Jerry has his decals printed by Microscale, a long time industry leader in the printing of quality decals. Registration and color saturation is excellent and I would expect no problems with application. Carrier film is virtually invisible and is kept to a minimum where necessary. Two sheets of decals are included with the first sheet supplying markings applicable to each aircraft and the supplemental sheet supplying national insignia and complete stencils. I highly recommend these and other fine products from Eagle Editions. Their attention to detail and quality printing make these decal sheets amongst the best in the business.
Review Samples Compliments of Eagle Editions Ltd.
© Mark Proulx 2002
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This review was published on Saturday, July 02 2011; Last modified on Wednesday, May 18 2016