Messerschmitt Bf 109G-14 

1/48 & 1/32 Scale Decals

 EagleCals

EagleCals #43 are available online from Squadron.com

Reviewed by Brett Green

Eagle Editions has released their latest large-scale Bf 109 decal offering just in time for the  Hasegawa 1/32 scale Bf 109G-14. The same markings are also available in 1/48 scale.

This new decal set includes two full-sized decal sheets in 1/32 scale (one sheet for the 1/48 scale release), along with a three-sheet foldout instruction sheet.

In common with EagleCals' earlier releases for the Bf 109, the instructions include captioned reference photos. The selected subject is "White 21", which is covered in four excellent photos.

The only real disadvantage with this sheet is that two of the subjects are short-tailed Bf 109G-14s with the clear-vision Erla Haube canopy. This means that the modeller will have to start with the 1/32 scale Bf 109G-6 kit (for the short tail) and source the Erla Haube from elsewhere. It is more than likely that Squadron will come out with a vacform replacement canopy for the Erla Haube soon in any case.

The decals are printed perfectly by Microscale. Registration and colour saturation were excellent on my samples. The only blemish were two handhold stencils where the red had "bled" slightly, resulting in a blurry finish.

Carrier film has been carefully planned to be kept at a minimum. For example, on "open" style cross markings, the carrier film is recessed inside the cross itself - only the "arms" of the cross have a thin boundary of carrier film at the edges.

The subjects on each of this latest sheet are as follows:

EC#43

Four Messerschmitt Bf 109G-14 aircraft:

• Yellow 10 - 74/75/76 grey finish with green ad white RV band and yellow under the cowl.

• Blue 3 - 74/75/76 grey finish with "Herz Az" (Ace of Hearts) JG 77 marking on nose, and IV./JG 77 emblem on both sides of the rear fuselage. This is a colourful sea horse, with options supplied in both red and blue.

• Black 8 - 74/75/76 grey finish with black-white-black RV band and black vertical III Gruppe bar.

• White 21 - 74/75/76 grey finish with with white II Gruppe bar, yellow rudder and yellow nose ring.

These are all interesting aircraft that will take advantage of the excellent new Hasegawa Bf 109G kits. You can build the two tall tail variants right now while you are waiting for an after market clear vision hood!

Recommended.

Thanks to Judy at Eagle Editions for the sample.

EagleCals decals are available from Eagle Editions Website or Hobby Retailers