Eduard 1/32 Bf 109E-7 Tropical

Eduard has issued their latest model of the Bf 109E - kit #3004 - series and the kit is a definite improvement over their Bf 109E-4. The kit contains 152 Plastic parts, including the tropical filter. Parts marked not for use, could be used to build the E-4 variant. Also included are 2 Photo Etched sheets, one featuring the tropical filter screens and various details, the other in color featuring the cockpit details. Canopies are crystal clear, more detail described below. Decals are provided for 5 aircraft of JG27 including desert camo and a couple in standard European schemes. Registration is excellent.

One note is that it appears Eduard has the upper wing decals wrong in that they resemble those used on the fuselage/ under wing, rather than upper wing crosses.

Although the majority of the parts are identical to the earlier, much maligned E-4, Eduard has made changes to incorporate not only the Tropical filter, but have also included reworked parts to correct previous errors/ under detailed pieces.

The most significant correction is the Canopy pieces. Eduard has included their reworked canopy as standard issue in this kit and it is excellent! The wider cross section and overall lower profile are now correct and this goes a long way towards perfecting the overall appearance of the aircraft. Eduard has included not only the later heavy frame and light frame versions of the canopy, but also the Galland windscreen and gun sight. In addition, as on their earlier E-3 release, new wheels with more 3D details are included. This leaves only a few of the Major issues with the kit unresolved:

• The leading Edge slats are @ 2mm too wide(cord wise).
• The small hump on the rear fuselage just behind the windscreen.
• Landing gear legs that are slightly too long.

Having almost finished my E-4 I can say with authority that the slats are a relatively easy fix, and the "Hump" not that significant , once the kit is assembled and sanded. After market gear legs are now available, although I don't know if they addressed the length.

Construction is straight forward and matches the assembly described in my previous E-4 First Look review. Instructions are clear and concise. As in previous versions one must decide if you wish to expose the engine or build the aircraft with a buttoned up hood. Be careful with the fit of the chin radiator as this has been a problem area on all previous versions, and is most likely still an issue. Just for the serious nitpickers, the wing radiators are still slightly misshaped, and the oxygen regulator is still too tall.

All said this is marginally ,in my opinion, still the best Bf 109E available in 1/32nd. Eduard has made what corrections are reasonable and left further corrections/detailing to the skill of the individual modeler.

I recommend this kit to any modeler with average skill or above.

Thanks to Eduard, I.M., and Matt Bittner for the review sample.