Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-4

Zoukei-Mura, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-series marked an important evolutionary step for Germany’s most famous fighter. Introduced in mid-1942, the Bf 109 G-2 was the first operational Gustav. It retained the clean lines of the earlier F-series but was powered by the Daimler-Benz DB 605A engine, delivering more horsepower and better high-altitude performance. Armament usually consisted of a 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon firing through the propeller hub, backed up by two 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns above the engine. Although the G-2 offered greater speed and climb rate, it was heavier than its predecessor, and pilots often noticed the aircraft had lost some of the F’s superb handling finesse.

The Bf 109 G-4 appeared soon after, externally similar to the G-2 but introducing a number of refinements. Chief among these were a reinforced airframe, strengthened undercarriage, and provision for larger main wheels, which resulted in the small wing bulges that would become characteristic of later Gustavs. The G-4 was also the first Gustav variant fitted with the FuG 16 VHF radio set, improving communications. In service, the G-4 shared the same strengths and weaknesses as the G-2—excellent speed and firepower balanced by increasingly heavy controls and limited range.

Both the G-2 and G-4 were deployed in large numbers on the Eastern Front, in the Mediterranean, and in Western Europe. They served with units such as JG 52 and JG 27, flown by many of the Luftwaffe’s top aces including Erich Hartmann and Günther Rall. By the summer of 1943, these early Gustavs were already giving way to progressively heavier-armed sub-variants, but they had cemented the Bf 109’s reputation as the Luftwaffe’s workhorse fighter.

Zoukei-Mura released their debut 1/32 scale Gustav - a Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-14/U4 - in 2022 followed by a standard Bf 109 G-14 in 2023. The plastic sprues were identical on these kits.

Now Zoukei-Mura has extended the family to include a 1/32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-4.

Zoukei-Mura's 1/32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-4 comprises around 284 parts in grey plastic, 16 parts in clear plastic, self-adhesive die-cut masks, markings for two schemes and a detailed 72 page illustrated instruction book.

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Thumbnail panels:

The kit title actually undersells what’s in the box. In addition to a Bf 109 G-4, a Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 may also be built straight from the sprues. Only alternative decals are required.

This new G-4 differs from its G-14 predecessors with the omission of Sprues F and I, and the addition of two new sprues, D and J.

Sprue D includes the distinctive F / G-2 / G-4 engine cowling, upper wings without the wheel bumps, Bf 109 F / G-2 narrow spoked main wheels, early instrument panel, lightweight landing gear legs, cockpit cannon breech cover, machine guns, Bf 109 F / G-2 / G-4 tail wheel and struts, FuG 16 VHF radio boxes for the fuselage interior, ETC 500/IX d bomb rack (I think) and more.

Sprue J offers parts for the optional underwing gondolas.

These may be assembled closed or open with lots of nice interior detail.

The parts breakdown is strikingly unique to Zoukei-Mura with full detail inside and out. This includes frames and stringers represented on the inside surfaces of the wings and fuselage.

On the exterior, surface textures are restrained with fine recessed panel lines, hatches and minimal fasteners and rivets.

The fuselage is split lengthwise from the rudder hinge line to the front firewall.

This appears to be a universal Bf 109 F / G fuselage with the individual features being mainly hatches. Hatches for unused variants may be filled and sanded.

Zoukei-Mura has supplied full engine detail. The engine is made up from 65 plastic parts described over 14 pages of instructions. The result will be very impressive. The instructions also note that you may build a display jig from the kit sprues.

The cockpit continues the detail theme with 39 parts.

The plastic grey plastic instrument panels are supplemented by detailed decals for dials, switches, stencils and more. There is an overlay decal option as well.

An optional clear plastic upper instrument panel is offered.

Surprisingly, harness and rudder toe straps are not included.

Control surfaces are all separate parts and may be posed to taste. Fabric texture is subtle and convincing.

Flaps are supplied with dropped or raised option.

Propeller and spinner shapes look good.

Full gun detail is supplied.

Setting accurate rake and splay for the spindly Bf 109 main undercarriage legs is notoriously tricky. Zoukei-Mura has minimised this challenge with solid and precisely keyed undercarriage legs that are cleverly slotted into the front of the fuselage, just like on the real Bf 109. The only downside of this design is that the legs will be sticking out for a long time during the balance of assembly and all the painting.

The hydraulic lines are separate parts.

The clear sprue is this and free from distortion. The sprue includes separate canopy sections, alternative windscreens, cockpit fuel line, gunsights, optional clear instrument panel, gunsights, Morane mast isolator mount, wing tip navigation lights, and armoured glass.

Other parts on the clear sprue are navigation lights, armoured glass, gun sights and the aforementioned clear instrument panel.

Decals are printed perfectly by Cartograf. and the artwork is by Radu Brinzan.

Stencil markings are printed onto the single large decal sheet along with the unique markings of the two subjects..

The inclusion of die-cut self-adhesive masks is a nice touch.

Instructions are exhaustive with 72 pages of illustrations and text. Zoukei-Mura offers multiple views from different angles to ensure that the modeller fully understands the sequence and position of assembly. Despite the complexity of the model, I found the sequence to be quite easy to follow.

Zoukei-Mura’s 1/32 scale Bf 109 G-4 is an impressive addition to the Gustav family.

Engineering is clever, detail is outstanding inside and out from nose to tail, and the restrained surface textures look just right in this large scale.

The ability to build either a G-2 or a G-4 straight from the box is an welcome bonus. Cartograf decals, die-cut masks and exhaustive instructions all add to the package..

The omission of harness straps is surprising in a kit of this calibre, and modellers will need to exercise care with the early installation of the undercarriage legs. These are, however, minor quibbles.

Overall, this is an impressively executed kit of the early Gustav and will be welcomed by Luftwaffe enthusiasts and large-scale modellers alike.

With the recent release of Kotare's 1/32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 K-4 comparisons will be inevitable. Both Zoukei-Mura and Kotare converge on the same objective - a sublime representation of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 - but from opposite directions. Zoukei-Mura crams form, structure and detail into the engine, fuselage, wings and more, while Kotare has finessed the surfaces and the front office, focusing on the embodiment of Messerschmitt's most enduring legacy.

Both will deliver accurate and striking results.

Highly recommended to the detail devotee.

Thanks to Zoukei-Mura for the sample

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2025 by Brett Green
Page Created 12 September, 2025
Last updated 13 September, 2025

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