Eduard

[@aidi58]

I have two of these E's in the stash so I might do one open and the other closed up. You were certainly right about needing to dry fit and plan. Another nice review.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thank you! If you take your time, they can be turned out nicely either way. Cheers!

[@VaclavSemrad-o9k]

The trick with the cowling panels is that inner parts under the panels around fuselage machine guns and top part of the engine block shall be sanded away in order to make free space for the cowling covers if you want to have the panels closed. Than it fits well. It is either openned or closed, nothing between. The Eduard Bf 109 E kit does not provide opened and closed engine option simultaneously (like Tamiya Bf 109 G 1/48 scale kit). The above applies for Special Hobby Bf 109 E 1/72 kit as well as it comes from data shared with Eduard. Both kits are nice to build with good fit, but the decision on openned/closed engine must be done early during the build. Many thanks for the video and many other reviews, I like it very much.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

You are correct - it's either open or closed. I'm glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@Skans153]

Looks fantastic! 👌

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thank you!

[@chilarai1]

Was getting ready to build the E3 Weekend version and will now find out whether the engine/nose parts fit properly with and without the engine. Since this is my first 109 build, I don't want to get too heroic on the model and may choose to forget about installing the engine at all if possible or maybe modify the engine itself to ensure a good fit.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Good luck! It's doable but a challenge.

[@lynetteschroeter6843]

Nice to hear that it is a bear of a kit to build! I have a profi -pack version that I have returned to the box to be finished at a later date(ha!). If I ever finish it's going to be the Von Werra scheme with all those gosh darned panels off! Very frustrating to be sure.......Gary S.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Right on, Gary! It should look good with everything opened up. It's still an evolved build, though. Cheers! P.S. I also have a ProfiPACK version on the shelf waiting to be built...

[@briansmith8079]

Did you ever build any of Hobby Crafts 109s as I heard they were pretty decent less detailed cockpits which won't be seen if the canopy is closed? I have built the Peashooter and found it overall a very good kit with excellent decals. Just curious I have debated building 109s, preferably early versions, but not interested in complicated, burdensome kits for my past time. Thoughts?

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@briansmith8079 The HobbyCraft 109 kits should be right up your alley - I've built their 109C, 109G, and 109K. The Tamiya 109E, Hasegawa 109E, and Airfix 109E are also great. Cheers!

[@jcwoodman5285]

Well done! So has Eduard re done the current early 109 kits?

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thanks JC! Not that I know of, unfortunately 😕

[@jcwoodman5285]

@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 I enjoyed the Eduard 109G6 I did & I look forward to your Tamiya 109E review 😀

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@JC Woodman Right on JC! I am working on Eduard's F model, and it's a gem.

[@PeteCourtier]

I’m going with the Wingsy emil. It’s a peach🥰

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Nice - I've heard good things about it and would love to review it in the future. Cheers!

[@gary6300]

Hi buddy your right it is a bit of a bugger to build like you I struggled withe cowl parts I almost binned it lol but got there in the end I think eduard need to retool the 109 as their fw 190 but the surface detail is amazing. but you have done a fantastic job on yours. Cheers Gary 🇬🇧.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thanks Gary! I agree and would welcome a new-tool Bf 109E line from Eduard.

[@VaclavSemrad-o9k]

I am afraid that Eduard will not retool their Bf 109 E shortly, they are bussy with new projects like P-40 and Ju-87 in 1/48 scale and other new 1/72 scale items that were not announced yet. Mr. Šulc from Eduard has been repeatedly questioned by Czech modellers about retooling Fw 190 D, P-39, Hellcat but he says that Eduard is bussy with new projects so there is not time for retooling at the moment. Greetings from Czech republic Vašek

[@no1bodace]

Building this kit now and I have to agree, the nose section is a nightmare, I want a closed up with pilot figure but the oil cooler is going to take some time I think.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

They do turn out nice but they make you work for it. The engineering on the Tamiya Bf109E oil cooler is SO much more logical.

[@richmacer2108]

Everyone building an Eduard 'E should listen to these words before attempting the build- truth!

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thanks, Rich!

[@pauka13]

One of their E series of 109s is currently on my bench as a part of their barbarossa dual combo boxing. I agree with you regarding the engine cowls, I wouldn't say it is difficult, but definitely challenging to get it right. Same goes to the oil cooler. Not my most enjoyable building experience, but the end result is worth the effort. Yours turned out truly great! Wondering how their 1/32 bf109e compares to this one though. I heard horror stories about that kit lol.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thank you! I don't have any experience with Eduard's 1/32 Bf 109E, so I can't answer that one. I wouldn't be surprised if it's a challenging build. Cheers!

[@boblobla1611]

I've built the 1/48 a couple of times and the 1/32 once so far. The 1/32 has a bit rougher fit at the bottom of the nose but IMHO is an excellent kit if a bit of modelling skill is applied. For the 1/32 scale I would definatly recommend a set of resin wheels and a set of HGW or Eduard fabric seatbelts. These are not Tamiya style shake and bake kits, so some careful planning and fitting is required. With that said the end result can be very satisfying.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@@boblobla1611 For sure. These are good kits for experienced modelers who like a construction challenge.

[@jameslarosa2396]

Nevertheless, you did a beautiful job.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thanks James!

[@giovannimusacchi2949]

I agree the surfaces of latest Eduard's kits are very attractive in the box ... anyway I remind to myself that the real things are smooth. Please, look at the aircraft in 1:1 scale and you can see delicate depressions where flush rivets are placed, not holes. On the contrary, you can see raised rivets where mushroom headed rivets are placed, non holes. In addition, regarding the accuracy of the kit, please take into account the aftermarket Quickboost offering about the correct (in shape) underwing radiators (item #QB48752).

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thanks for the tip on the Quickboost radiator. I don't know of any completely accurate kit. Either there are shape issues in some area or incorrect surface detail. I prefer the surface detail of the Eduard 109E to that of the Tamiya, Hasegawa, or Airfix 109Es. Supposedly, the Airfix 109E has the best shape, but it also has the worst surface detail. All the above-mentioned kits can be built well, and they all look like 109Es when completing. Cheers!

[@BobMuir100]

Thanks for this. I am a returnee and my skill sets don’t match yours so this baby will stay in my stash!! Are all Weekend kits limited in decals etc? Bob England

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

The yellow bordered kits are limited in decals. However, the two-tone blue weekend kits are proper kits with two complete decal options. Cheers!

[@BobMuir100]

@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 thank you, gosh as teen with Airfix only and a tube of cement it was so much simpler!!

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@BobMuir100 It can still be as simple or complicated as you want it to be. You just need to find the right balance for yourself. I stayed away from complex kits for years until I was ready. Enjoy the process of getting better, and don't put too much pressure on yourself. 🙂 Cheers!

[@BobMuir100]

@@jonsmodelkitreview4624- currently I am like a rabbit in the headlights.....buying kits and tools and paint and blah but not making a thing!!!!

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@BobMuir100 That's the easy part, and I can fall into the same pattern. But only building improves the skills. 😉 What kits have you picked up lately?

[@СергейКоролев-м2е]

Eduard's Emil is the most beautyful but the most detailed and complicated one to build. Especially if you chose the closed nose option. It took me several days to achieve a proper fit, I was tired like hell when construction process was finally over. It definitely looks stunning if built in a proper way, but this much depends on your skills and talent. This kit is not suitable for an average modeller. If you choose Eduard from three options available in 1/48, then let me give you a piece of advice: buy Profipack edition. This will significantly save your cash since photoetch, decals for several variants and masks are already included, so ain't no need to buy all this stuff separately. From my personal prospective I vote for Tamiya. It's brilliantly designed, easy to build, cheaper and doesn't look worse on the shelf.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thanks for sharing your experiences with the Eduard Bf 109E, Serge! Cheers!

[@СергейКоролев-м2е]

@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 My pleasure, happy future builds!

[@josephstabile9154]

Constructing Tamiya kits will spoll one for ease of assembly. But the siren's call of the beautiful detail & shape always steers me to Eduard. Plus, putting the extra detail, such as rivets, on the Tamiya kit, is its own kind of unnecessarily complicated. Tamiya's 1st iteration of their 109 kit also had a very noticeably incorrect nose profile. Major fiddly getting that nose right! My assessment is that I'll take the Eduard 109E over Tamiya's. But I am an experienced modeler. The new Wingsy Wings 109E MAY just be the best of them all...

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Right on Joseph. I love the Eduard Spitfires - they're simply stunning. If only the 109E series built as well. I would love to take a look at the Wingsy 109E. I have their Mitsubishi A5M, and it's a beautiful kit.

[@darrellid]

I love Eduard kits, especially their original toolings, but agree 100 percent with your criticisms: detail and mold quality, in general, are fantastic, but the engineering behind the builds seems excessively complex and "fiddly." Consider the landing gear on most models, for example. Their attachment points can be difficult to locate, they are generally not well supported, and they almost always end up relatively weak. I do think Eduard has turned it up a notch so as to rival Tamiya over the past 5-6 years, but Tamiya has been the clubhouse leader for decades, so it's going to take a lot more from Eduard to surpass or even equal them.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Eduard's Spitfires, Mustangs, and Bf109 F-K have equalled/bettered Tamiya kits in many ways. They're still more parts heavy but fit, detail and accessories that are included in the box, make them world-class.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@GNMi79 It can. If you're the type of builder who loves lots of tiny bits and a construction challenge, the Eduard Bf109E is a dream. However, more parts mean more tolerance stacking and more opportunities to get it wrong. In other words, compounding fit issues. I just completed Eduards Bf109 F, which is more accurate with fewer parts and perfect fit, albeit without the optional open engine bay. It comes down to your preferences as a modeler. Cheers!

[@c123bthunderpig]

Really sharp looking build, I'm just re-entering the hobby after a long sabbatical . The kits and materials have changed SO much it is difficult to get my bearings back. So if you say unbuildable - I will probably stay away for a while. However, curious as to where you obtained the Swastika decals, historically German aircraft look kind of incomplete without them. Now I must get back to my Airfix 8 years up to get back in shape - at six bucks I won't be afraid of making mistakes.😎

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thank you. The decal set I used contained the Swastika decals (cut in half). I also love cheap kits because I'm not afraid to mess them up. I would recommend Eduard's Bf 109F kits if you want an easier state-of-the-art kit to start with. Cheers!

[@coletoliver3977]

You know how you can tell when an aircraft flew is look at the decal choices will say all about that

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Right on Cole!

[@MillwalltheCat]

Unbuildable? No kit is unbuildable. On many quality engineered kits, some components lack a decent fit, but none of that is insurmountable. Test, fit, trim. Test, fit, trim. Test, fit, trim. There is no 'quick fix', and don't expect to open the box, pour in paint and glue, then give it a shake. It's not a race. Have a go at the 50-year-old Airfix 1/24th Bf109E, then, after three months of work, you'll know what I mean about fit. Decent build on your Eduard, by the way. Not sure about their kit panel line around the Wing MG FF though.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

You have a point. Given enough time and patience, many difficult kits can be turned out well. Having built the HiPM Pe-2, this kit practically builds itself in comparison. 😉 Though this kit turned out well, I still don't know if I'll build another.

[@PeteCourtier]

Built a couple of these. If this unbuildable then try Lego😂😂

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@@PeteCourtier As you can see in the pictures, I was able to build it.😉 However, it is not a suitable model for inexperienced builders or those who don't enjoy a construction challenge with lots of tiny parts.

[@richmacer2108]

Completely agree 100%. @@jonsmodelkitreview4624

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@GNMi79 Though I haven't built the He100, I would be wary of a HiPM kit and approach it as a short-run kit. Cheers!

[@jaws666]

Its kits like this that drive people away from the hobby imo

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

It's why I build a range of kits - in case I get frustrated with one. Eduard is finding It's stride now though and producing world-class kits. Still not for everyone, but I like them.

[@jaws666]

@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 i have their 1/72 Mig -21 pfm weekend kit in the stash and i WONT be building it...even for a 1/72 weekend kit it is far too overly complicated and over enginnered.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@@jaws666 Understandable. It sounds like you know what you like to build and that's a good thing. Hopefully, The reviews on this channel let people know what to expect with the featured kits. Model on!

[@jaws666]

@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 dont get me wrong as i do like an enjoyable build and im not someone who likes a kit that practiculay builds itself when ypu shale the box but at the same time i also dont like a build that takes so long and is so time consuming that i loose intrest in it...i think the phrase "the war will be over by the time i get there" was invented by a modeler when refering to eduard,lol🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@@jaws666 Certainly applicable to the Bf 109Es and early Fw 190As!