Messerschmitt Bf 109G
Jabo (Fighter/Bomber) Sets

250KG Bomb and 4x50KG Bombs

1/32 Scale

J. Rutman

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Reviewed by Brett Green

The Jagdwaffe was reluctantly pressed into the task of fighter/bomber in addition to its traditional (and preferred) role of escort fighter and interceptor. Nevertheless, the trusty Messerschmitt Bf 109 was adapted to carry a range of bombs using several conversion kits.

J. Rutman Productions originally produced a few of these conversions for the old 1/32 scale Revell Messerschmitt Bf 109. Happily, they are equally applicable to Hasegawa's great new 1/32 scale Bf 109G-6. Furthermore, these racks were fitted to "F" model 109s too, so if you are planning a conversion to the earlier 109, these accessories will increase your options.

The contents of both sets are cast in cream coloured resin. The quality is very good. There are no casting imperfections on my samples.

Neither set has instructions. Although the assembly of the rack and the bombs is fairly self-explanatory, it would be nice to have a diagram with the precise placement of the rack on the lower fuselage and orientation of the sway braces. Also, these conversions are limited to the external changes. Jabo Bf 109s were fitted with a supplementary switch panel underneath the instrument panel for bomb release. Scratchbuilding this small rectangular panel won't be a challenge, but you will still need to check your references.

I have checked the contour of the racks against the bottom fuselage of an unbuilt Hasegawa Bf 109G-6. The fit appears to be very good for my samples.

The specific contents of each set are:

Bf 109G Jabo Set - 250KG Bomb

This set comprises eight parts - the ETC500/IXb bomb rack, the body of the SC250 bomb, a clever "twin fin" plus two separate fins to ease alignment of the tail of the bomb plus four sway braces. The rack and the fins are already removed from their resin mounting blocks, while the bomb is attached to a casting strip that should take about two minutes to remove and clean up. The bracing struts for the fins should be sourced from styrene strip.

Bf 109G Jabo Set - 50KG Bombs

21 parts include the ETC50VIIIb Multiple Bomb Rack, four 50KG bombs and four separate fins for each bomb. Each fin displays the horizontal "pressed" reinforcement strip, appropriately raised on one side and recessed on the opposite side. Nice touch!

These are simple conversions that will make your Hasegawa (or Revell) 1/32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 look noticeably different.

Any modeller with a little experience working with resin and some good references on the Messerschmitt Bf 109 will benefit from these sets.

Recommended to moderately experienced modellers.

Thanks to Jerry Rutman for the review samples.

The full range of J. Rutman's kits and accessories may be viewed and ordered from his new website at http://jrutman.playnet.com/

Review and Images Copyright © 2002 by Brett Green
Page Created 04 February, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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