Military Model Scene

Title:  TopDrawings 63 Messerscmitt Bf 109 G

Author: Maciej Noszczak

Publisher:  Kagero

ISBN:  978-83-66148-08-6

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One of the latest additions to the Top Drawings series of softcover books from Kagero, this one covering the G variants of the famous Messerschmitt Bf 109.  This 20-page book has a series of excellent 1/48 scale drawings of the G-5, G-6, G-8, G-12 and G-14 variants, including the Trop versions where appropriate.  They do show upper and lower plan views, while the bulk are side views.

As is explained in the background information which is provided on page 1, in both English and Polish, as the type was built in a number of different factories, there were still differences between their production aircraft as each used up parts they had on hand. So, there are plenty of differences between aircraft which are technically the same variant but which can still have detail differences between them. A separate, larger fold-out sheet has more 1/48 profiles but with grey elements to illustrate the detail differences between the different production versions.

On the centre pages, and on the back cover, there are some very fine colour illustrations that show a mix of camouflage and marking variations.  As well as Luftwaffe aircraft, there are both Italian and Swiss marked examples as well. Helpful reference for modellers, and I suspect some inspiration to try a model in some more unusual colours and markings for the Bf 109 collection. The one variant I think might interest many is the two seater G-12.

The use of 1/48 scale is a good indication of the steadily growing popularity of 1/48 scale models, and the large number of kits which are on the market these days.  The other little bonus tucked within the pages of the book is a little sheet of cockpit canopy masks designed for use with the Tamiya model.

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Another neat addition to this series from Kagero

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Distributed by Casemate Books, who kindly provided my review copy.

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Robin