Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6
Late Production

Tamiya, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Background

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 was the most numerous variant of Germany's famous fighter, entering service during the spring of 1943 at a time when the Luftwaffe was increasingly on the defensive.

Powered by the Daimler-Benz DB 605A engine, the G-6 introduced heavier armament, including a pair of 13 mm MG 131 machine guns mounted above the engine. Their larger breeches required the distinctive bulged upper cowling fairings that gave the aircraft its unmistakable appearance.

Late-production G-6s also incorporated a number of refinements, including the Erla Haube clear-vision canopy, a taller fin and rudder on many aircraft, improved radio equipment, and wider main wheels housed beneath enlarged upper wing bulges.

Amongst the Luftwaffe's most celebrated fighter pilots was Hermann Graf, the first aviator in history to claim more than 200 aerial victories. As Kommodore of Jagdgeschwader 50 and later Jagdgeschwader 11, Graf frequently flew specially prepared Bf 109 G-6s incorporating personal modifications.

These included a blister on the top of the framed canopy housing a rear-vision mirror, outer undercarriage doors, compressor bulge underneath the starboard side beule, customised radio equipment, fitting of under wing air-to-air BR 21 rocket launchers and the removal of unnecessary equipment to reduce weight. His aircraft also carried distinctive personal markings, including the famous tulip nose motif and his characteristic "Karaya" insignia, making Graf's Gustav one of the most recognisable Messerschmitts of the war.

Tamiya released their 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 in 2017. The original boxing best represented an early to mid production aircraft from the Messerschmitt Regensburg factory.

The model featured the early framed canopy, the short tail and the standard stowage compartment behind the pilot's head. Tamiya's kit could be built as a Trop version or a gondola-equipped gunboat straight from the box too.

Now, Tamiya has added two new sprues to the original kit - one grey and one clear - to create a Bf 109 G-6 Late Production kit.

These allow a number of variations including alternative engine cowlings, cowl gun troughs, starboard side compressor bulge, under wing air-to-air BR 21 rocket launchers and mounts and Erla haube clear vision canopy.

There are also a couple of very specific options that relate to Hermann Graf's late production Bf 109 G-6.

These are a blister on the top of the framed canopy with a mirror inside...

...and outer undercarriage doors.

The updated kit comprises 223 parts in grey coloured plastic, eleven parts in clear, self-adhesive canopy masks, polythene caps (two sizes), metal washers and magnets plus markings for five aircraft.

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Thumbnail panels:

The breakdown of the fuselage means that the main fuselage halves could be used for any version of the Bf 109 from the F-2 to the G-10.

Here, I have filled the unwanted hatches on the starboard fuselage
with a mix of super glue and talcum powder.

Apart from the two new sprues, options are many and varied. They include two styles of drop tanks, Trop filter and umbrella pips; cannon gondolas (gondolae??); short or long aerail masts, DF loop, metal or Galland Panzer pilot's head armour and a Morane mast with three styles of base. Some of these are marked as not for use in this boxing, but I'm sure that many will find a use for them!

Parts breakdown is far from conventional. The main fuselage halves comprise the mid and rear sections, with the nose and the panels beneath the windscreen being presented as separate parts. The main fuselage halves have a stout mount for the engine block moulded in place. The two raised pips for the tropical umbrella on the port fuselage side are also moulded in place (you'll need to carve/sand these off if you are building a non-Trop variant).

Three complete sets of engine cowlings are included - one all-new and the original two in the first release - each with closed and option options. These are locked into place using a combination of thin metal washers, tiny magnets and polythene caps. The engine is broken down into a central engine block that is permanently attached to the fuselage plus separate sub-assemblies for the top of the engine, including the engine mounts, glycol tanks and cowl guns; and the bottom of the engine. These top and bottom engine sub-assemblies are fitted only when the cowls are displayed open. Engine detail is good straight from the box, and there is no compromise in size or accuracy thanks to Tamiya's clever parts breakdown.

It's a bit difficult to describe in words, but it makes perfect sense when you are building the model!

There is nothing preventing the modeller for gluing the cowls in place either open or closed, but the press-fit and magnet snap-fit of the cowls is so extraordinarily good that you honestly don't need cement.

I have seen it suggested that there is something wrong with the spacing of the cowl guns, but I have looked at a few photos of wartime aircraft and I think it is fine. The spacing might appear odd on the sprue without the context of the bulges and the cowl sides, but it all looks proportionally correct on the built-up model (wartime reference photo below).

Cockpit detail is good. Some sidewall detail is moulded directly onto the fuselage sidewalls. There are a few alarming ejector pin circles here, but some are actually locating positions and they are all covered up when the cockpit parts are glued in place.

The instrument panel is supplied in two plastic pieces with decals for the dials. These look great in place - just make sure you line up the instrument decals with the raised plastic bezels.

Decals are also offered for the harness straps. These never really look right to me, so I replaced these with an Eduard STEEL harness - thin metal straps that are a nice compromise between authenticity and ease of use.

Tamiya also includes a nicely crafted seated pilot figure. He will help you avoid the problem of those pesky decal harness straps!

The windscreen is moulded with a small section of the fuselage and features a large mounting point for gluing to the gun cowl panels. Two styles of windscreen are offered, plus the new Erla hood for this new boxing.

The main section of the canopy is moulded with two locating pins for a default "open" position. If you want to display the canopy closed, just slice off the pins.

The wings comprise a full span lower section and separate upper halves with the wheel bulge accurately recessed into the ceiling. The main wheel bays represent zippered canvas covers at the rear and sides.

Outboard flaps, radiator flaps and the ailerons are all separate parts and may be posed to taste. The radiator flaps are cleverly designed with two sets of tabs moulded in place. One set of tabs is designed to be sliced off depending on whether the flaps are raised or dropped. The outboard flaps have a similar design feature.

Leading edge slats are separate parts that may be posed open or closed. Wing tips are separate parts too.

The horizontal tail planes are moulded as a single part, including the elevators. The fin is located via a long stout tab and pin, and the rudder is a separate part - also located with a positive tab.

Undercarriage legs are also unique. They are moulded with a long tab making an approximage "L" shape with the leg. This is glued into a recess in the lower wing, resulting in a robust join with perfect rake and splay. The recess is then covered by the lower wing centre panel, which doubles as a mount for the ETC rack. Of course, this means that you will have to paint the model before fitting the undercarriage legs, but fit is so good that this will not be a problem.

The 300 litre drop tank offers alternative lower halves. It is also a removaeble press-fit thanks to the use of a polythene cap.

Multimedia parts round out the package - magnets, metal washers and two sizes of polythene caps.

Self adhesive masks are provided for the canopy.

As is usual with Tamiya masks, the outlines are printed onto the Kabuki-tape masks and the modeller is required to cut out the shapes. I used a sharp hobby knife on mine and had no problems at all.

Markings

Markings are supplied for five late production Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6s.

Tamiya has been a bit shy in actually identifying the pilots, but they are:

• Yellow 1 - Erich Hartmann

• Green 1 - Hermann Graf

• Double Chevron - Gerhard Barkhorn

The final two options are Finnish.

A second decal sheet includes comprehensive stencil markings.

Note that, due to the two separate cowl configurations, Tamiya has supplied two sets of nose markings where required. You'll need to keep this in mind when choosing after market decals too.

Printing, colours and registration is perfect on my sample.

Tamiya's original 1/48 scale Bf 109 G-6 was already regarded as one of the finest Gustav kits available, and this Late Production release builds intelligently on that foundation. Rather than simply adding a handful of optional parts, the new sprues widen the range of subjects that can be modelled, incorporating several of the detail changes associated with late-war G-6 production while retaining all the engineering strengths of the original kit.

The highlights remain the same: exceptional fit, innovative design, positive locating tabs throughout, and the ingenious magnet-assisted removable engine cowlings that allow the beautifully detailed DB 605 engine to be displayed open or closed without compromising accuracy.

The new Erla Haube canopy, revised cowl options and Hermann Graf-specific parts add variety, while the selection of alternative components ensures there will be plenty left in the spares box for future projects.

Although the decals for the seat harnesses remain the weakest aspect of the package, this is easily remedied with an aftermarket replacement or by using the well-sculpted pilot figure included in the kit. Beyond that, there is very little to criticise.

Whether you missed the original release or already have one in your stash, this Late Production boxing is the a versatile Gustav. Clever design, outstanding fit and thoughtful optional features combine to make this one an enjoyable and accurate 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 kit.

Highly recommended.

Purchased by Reviewer

Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Limited

Review Text Copyright © 2026 by Brett Green
Page Created 8 July, 2026
Last updated 8 July, 2026

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