Preview: Airfix' new-tool Messerschmitt Bf109G-5/6 in 1/24th scale

Airfix has released news of their new-tooled 1/24th scale Messerschmitt Bf109G-5/6 kit that will be making its preview at the Telford Model Show this weekend. We look at it in our preview.

Preview: Airfix' new-tool Messerschmitt Bf109G-5/6 in 1/24th scale

Messerschmitt Bf109G-5/6

From Airfix

1/24th Scale

Product No. #A17003

405 parts

5 colour scheme options ,

To be used in conjunction with A65009 Masking Set - Messerschmitt Bf109G

Price: £99.99

Expected Winter 2025-26

Product Link

Airfix has released news to inform modellers of their new-tooled 1/24th scale Messerschmitt Bf109G-5/6 kit that will be making its preview at the Telford Model Show this weekend.

The kit has already been made up by testers into the five schemes that are presented in the box, so we get to see them in a little more detail.

The subject: The Messerschmitt Bf109G-5/6

Arguably the most important Luftwaffe fighter aircraft of the Second World War, the BF109 was designed by Professor Willy Messerschmitt. The prototype first flew in May 1935. After winning a design competition against entries from Arado, Heinkel and Focke-Wulf due to its higher speed and better manoeuvrability, it entered service as the Bf109 A-0 in 1937. Early versions were flown by the Condor Legion in the Spanish Civil War, and the Luftwaffe during the Invasion of Poland.

The Bf 109 E appeared in late 1938 as the first major update of the design. The Junkers Jumo 210 engine used in the earlier versions was replaced by the larger, more powerful Daimler Benz DB601. The extra heat generated needed improved radiators, which were moved from the nose to the modified and reinforced wings. The Bf109 E became a symbol of the Luftwaffe in the skies over England, dogfighting the RAF’s Spitfires and Hurricanes.

During 1940, Messerschmitt engineers were working on the Bf109 F, which featured the DB601E engine and much improved aerodynamics. The wings were reduced in area, with the new rounded wingtips being seen on all subsequent Bf109 variants. The tailplane was redesigned to eliminate the supporting struts, and fuel capacity was increased to extend the range to 1,060 m (1700 km). The Bf 109 F entered service in October 1940.

The DB605 engine was developed to be easier to manufacture than the complex DB601E. Increasing the displacement and compression ratio raised the power output to 1455 bhp. The Bf109, when fitted with this engine, became the Bf109 G “Gustav”. The pressurised Bf109 G-1 began production in February 1942, with the non-pressurised Bf109 G-2 following in May 1942.

In February 1943, the nose-mounted 7.92mm MG 17 guns were upgraded to the 13mm MG 131, leading to the distinctive bulged engine cowlings of the G-5 and G-6 models. The G-5 and G-6 were the most produced Bf109 variants, with over 12,000 aircraft manufactured. The high-altitude G-5 featured a pressurised cockpit, with an engine-driven compressor and sealed canopy glazing. 

The Bf109 G could be fitted with two additional MG151/20 cannons in under-wing gondolas, as well as a 300 l fuel tank, rockets and bomb racks. Tropical equipment allowed the Bf109 G to serve in the dusty conditions of North Africa.

The G-6 first equipped JG 27, 51, 53 and 77 in the Mediterranean theatre and went on to equip many Luftwaffe fighter units in Western Europe and the Eastern Front, where the highest-scoring fighter ace, Erich Hartmann, achieved a claimed 352 aerial kills.

This kit:

This 100% new-tooled kit from Airfix comes with a coloured instruction sheet, a paint layout sheet, a masking sheet and decals.

This impressive 1:24 scale model comes with extensive build options:

• The model can be built with or without the fully detailed DB605 engine.
• Engine cowlings and oil coolers can be posed in open or closed positions.
• Choice of two types of engine cowlings (MTT and Erla)
• The canopy can be posed open or closed (two canopy types included)
• Additional engine and cockpit parts included for G-5 (pressurised cockpit version)
• Optional 300 l fuel tank and wing cannon “Gondolas”
• Ailerons, elevators and rudders can be offset to add life to the model.
• Radiator and wing flap position can be customised
• Many optional parts to suit specific aircraft builds, such as rudder pedals, gunsights, trim wheels, instrument panels, undercarriage wheels/tyres and windscreens
•  Detailed nose armament with machine guns, gun mounts and ammunition boxes included
• Slide moulding used to allow the capture of fine detail on engine cowlings, fuselages, exhausts and gun barrels

Marking schemes in this boxing:

Showcasing three vastly different schemes to choose from, including the

A17003 - Messerschmitt Bf109G-6/Trop, WNr.15270, Yellow 14+-, 6./JG53, Rammaca, Sicily, Early-July 1943. (A)

A17003 - Messerschmitt Bf109G-6/Trop, WNr.15270, Yellow 14, 57th Fighter Group, Pachino, Sicily, Summer 1943. (B)

A17003 - Messerschmitt Bf109G-6/Trop, WNr.15270, VX101, No. 1426 Flight, RAF Collyweston, England, April 1944. (C)

A17003 - Messerschmitt Bf109G-6, WNr.166224, White 10+-, 4./JG3, Nogent-le-Roi, France, August 1944. (D)

A17003 - Messerschmitt Bf109G-5, WNr.27119, Yellow 11+I, 9./JG54, Fw. Emil Hecker, Ludwiglust, Germany, February 1944. (E)

You can see more about this kit or pre-order directly from the Airfix website.