Trumpeter's Bf 109G-6 in 1/24 Scale

By Marcos Bonfim

Translation by Rogério 'Rato' Marczak

When I saw the Bf 109 G-6 Trumpeter 1/24 I decided to make a diorama with it. The first step was to choose the painting scheme. I would like to reproduce an aircraft flown by Erich Hartmann, the famous German ace known as 'Ace of the aces'. After a research on the internet and references I have chosen a scheme based on the picture 'The Knight at Drawn' by Jerry Crandall, mainly because it was a scheme published by a renowned researcher and author of several specialized publications about the subject.The reorganization of the Luftwaffe's Fighter Gruppen in the fall of 1944 resulted in the 4th Staffel JG 52 being transfered to JG 3, and therefore the 7th Staffel JG 52 replaced the 4th Staffel into II Gruppe, using the 4th Staffel's small white numbering system. During October 1944, Erich Hartmann was given the command of the 7th Staffel, at the time based in Hungary. Of all the known aircraft flown by Erich Hartmann this Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 was the most colorful. The standard camouflage RLM 74/75/76 apparently was modified by overspraying RLM 76. Note the black scallop design is different than the 109 G-6 previously flown by Hartmann in February 1945 with JG 53. Also worth to note is the absence of the D-F loop antenna. Contrary to other renderings of this aircraft, it is strongly believed that it had the yellow under cowling as did most 109s at the time.

Trumpeter's model have 272 parts in light grey and clear plastic, metal shafts for ailerons and flaps, rubber tires and ignition harness, photo-etched parts for control surface hinges, 2 springs, and decals for two aircraft. Two sets of fuselage halves supplied (clear or grey). The kit also has consistent and crisply engraved panel lines, recessed rivet detail, workable control surfaces, nicely detailed engine and cockpit. Clear parts are very thin, clear and accurate. The kit includes a drop tank, gondola cannon and G-5 cowling bulge as options.In general the kit is very good and has excellent fitting, so that there's no need for significant modifications. The first problem that I found is not due to the kit itself but related to chosen version: Trumpeter's Bf 109G-6 early version doesn't come with the Galland type canopy as in Hartmann’s aircraft. This canopy, however, is available from another model from Trumpeter: The Bf 109G-6 late version. Fortunately a friend had a spare Galland canopy and passed it to me. Luckily it came in double in his kit... God exists! The kit also doesn't come with belts and harness. To improve my model I photo-etched these myself, as well as some interior details.I painted my model with automotive lacquers following illustrations obtained from Eagle decals site.

I had no decals for this version so I painted the 'black smashed egg' nose and Hartmann's characteristic heart. Accompanying the aircraft in the diorama is a Heller Mercedes 540 in 1/24 scale assembled without further modifications, and painted as a Luftwaffe staff car. And this is the result:

Trumpeter's Bf 109G-6 in 1/24 Scale

By Marcos Bonfim

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