Another Revell Bf109 G-10 Erla, with a new twist

[Tomas Enerdal]

 

Hi, it’s me, Tomas Enerdal.

 

With this I’m starting my next project. A German Luftwaffe aircraft this time. A different scale as well, 1/32 (thanks Max). My first here on LSP

Vaguely I can hear a few moans; not another Revell G-10 Erla, again. But this one will be different.

 

The background to this build is somewhat of a story in itself. It’s taken me some time to reach this stage.

Since my early teens I’ve been a great fan of the later Bf109 G/K. My first real modelling reference was The Messerschmitt one-o-nine Gallery, by Tom Hichkock. I bought it when it was released in 1973, from pocket money saved for months. I was fifteen then, I still have it.

I’ve also recently landed in the decision to step up in scale, to 1/32. I’m suffering from severe AMS, and always want to add and correct detail. 1/32 will give me the possibility to work with, and add the details I want to. Without having to use a microscope and actually be able to hold small pieces with tweezers, albeit fine.

Since I’m kind of new to the scale I don’t really know what’s available and the pros and cons of every kit and piece of aftermarket. But I’m learning.

I so much want to build an Erla-built Bf109 G-10, with its unique nose. I’ve learnt about the Revell 1/32 kit #04888 I’ve also read somewhere that there might be some problem with the upper cowling gun throughs being too close together. It took me some time to actually find and obtain the kit itself (thanks again, Max!), and then to learn more about its issues.

 

The Revell 1/32 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-10 Erla is in many ways a happy kit.

Together with its sister kits G-6 and G-2/G-4, it captures the features and soul of a Bf109G beautifully and AFAIK, it is the only Erla G-10 version in town in this scale. It is full of excellent detail, and in most ways it captures the soul of the 109G very nicely.

It is not without its problems however, the major area of concern is just its nose. This has two separate, quite different reasons that causes the problems;

-The two gun throughs for the cowling MG131 are too close together, by almost two mm. This may not sound too much, but it throws the shape of the nose off, making it look pinched. Sadly, the kit’s design team mixed up the distance with the narrower distance of the MG17 nose (F to G-4). When it was eventually discovered it was too late to correct.

-The Erla design team went further in streamlining the nose shape than what had earlier been done during development at Messerschmitt and as seen on the MTT and WNF noses. They evened the nose out and could remove several bulges and shape irregularities. The resulting cross section became larger in places but the lines became smoother and straighter. The oil cooler housing was wider, but shallower. The cooling area was identical.

(This kit has been somewhat rare and slightly difficult to find. I just learned at Telford that Revell will soon re-issue this kit. Possibly with some improvements and/or new parts? I couldn't detect anything directly on the built up model on the Revell stand, however.)

 

The Revell G-10 kit nose cross sections are slightly like slim ovals, the real one is more square and box-like. The kits vertical sides are not prominent or slab-sided enough, and the nose should really be considerably broader across the top. Together with the proper larger distance between the gun throughs the nose should have a more aggressive look.

Mind, these differences are subtle and are within the overall, general dimensions. Yet they have a considerable impact on the look and feeling of the final result.

 

There are a few more minor snags in the kit. But they can be fixed with modifications or aftermarket.

 

At first I thought that correcting the distances between the MG throughs would be enough. It’s quite do-able in itself, I started to, only one kit part would need to be modified.

(The gun throughs were cut out of the upper nose part. The openings were enlarged outwards. PC spacers were added on the inside of the openings. Gun throughs were glued back. Puttied and sanded into shape. Surface detail restored)

 

 

But it soon turned out that this would not be enough, the rest of the nose is still too sleek and lacks the aggressive bulkiness of the real a/c.

 

I then read build reports of this same kit, incorporating a resin conversion from the Russian firm of A.M.U.R. Reaver. The very thorough build and description by @Thunnus, here on LSP is perhaps the best. For quite some time I tried to obtain this conversion, to no avail. It’s out of production, and due to the present restrictions it seems to be impossible to find. I almost succeeded, in Kazakhstan, but it slipped through my fingers. (I suppose there are a few hidden in some lofts, never to be seen again.)

 

 

Then, almost out of the blue, a surprise turned up. Or, more correctly, Gunnar turned up.

 

Gunnar Jansson is a Swedish modelling buddy. He doesn’t live quite close to me, we’ve met a few times in the past. I’ve known him as a very skilled late-war German armour and figure modeller.

It turned out that he is also a great fan of late-war Luftwaffe Bf109 G/K. For several years he has cooperated with Roy Sutherland at Barracuda Studios. He has designed several masters for their resin parts, all in 1/32. (This may be the reason he has remained under my radar, until recently I’ve been a hardcore 1/48 modeller.)

For several years Gunnar has been working on conversion/correction sets for late 109 G/K. The first prototype conversions were cast in resin, but they have now been adopted to 3D-printing. The G-10 Erla conversion as such has gone through a lot of configuration and detail changes, adjustments and testing, finally ending as it is today. Lately we have discussed and dissected his work no end. To me, who really wants to model a correct and accurate 1/32 G-10 Erla, this has been extremely rewarding!

 

It will also probably fit the Zoukei-Mura G-14 kit as well. This I have not been fully able to verify, however, it would need its own test build to do so. The breakdown of the Z-M kit is rather different from the more conventional Revell kits. But some important dimensions and shapes are just about identical in these kits, so it should fit. Fuselage width, profile of the joint between the lower nose cowl and the fuselage belly, profile of the wing at the fuselage joint, etc. The surgery to prepare for the graft will be certainly be different, but I’m convinced that it will fit dimensionally.

 

In all probability it will also fit the Trumpeter kits. But as I don’t have any, I haven’t been able to check.

 

A first look convinces me that the conversion in all probability will also fit the Kōtare K-4 very well. In this case the kit can be backdated to a G-10 with other modifications (interior, various panels, perhaps small bulged wings with the aid of Barracuda studios wing conversion 32169, wheels, etc). Or used directly on the kit to represent one of the very few Erla-built K-4.

 

 

(The next to latest version. I brought the latest version to Telford, showing it to most people who wanted to look at it, and then some)

 

Here I have a question: at first I planned to just walk on in this WIP, and describe progress during the journey. Used aftermarket items to be presented and introduced as the work goes on. Methods used as well, and issues and considerations of various accuracy aspects brought up along the way.

But I have seen that some of the more thorough WIP reports start with a careful and detailed introduction of the donor kit, used aftermarket and references, etc.

Which do you prefer?

 

I’ll end this introduction with a small statement from Gunnar and myself, regarding his conversion:

He has designed conversions and parts for his own enjoyment and modelling needs. They will not be launched or marketed as such in any commercial way. But anyone seriously interested in obtaining his items is of course fully free to contact him at guj5@hotmail.com, I’m sure that something can be arranged.

 

I have followed Gunnar’s design work a lot lately. I’ve looked at several CAD drawings and test prints as they progressed and we’ve discussed it no end. A privilege to be present, indeed! But  please be aware that I have fully paid for my own conversion, and have no commercial interest or other gains from describing and writing about it here. I want to have independence and integrity, and be fully free to give my own, unbiased view. This will be the first true test build of it in its 3D-shape.

However, you’ll soon find out that I’m deeply, DEEPLY impressed!

 

To be continued,

Edited November 12, 2025 by Tomas Enerdal

[Gunnar J]

Hi Tomas

I will follow your build with great interest 🙂

Cheers Gunnar

[Sam_D]

Hi Tomas

 

Welcome and wow what a great first subject to post here.

 

Looking forward to watching your progress!

 

Sam

[D.B. Andrus]

3 hours ago, Tomas Enerdal said:

Which do you prefer?

Tomas

 

The full meal deal, please. In other words every last detail in your build log. There can't be too much Erla G-10 information for me.

 

Thanks,

Damian

[TBC]

This should be very interesting. I'll be following along. Do you know if Gunnar is going to be making any of these for resale? I have a couple of the Revell Bf-109 kits.

[Gunnar J]

Hi

as mentioned in another thread I as of know don’t intendent to release it as a company as usch, I don’t have the knowledge making a site to order from etc, doing graphics for instructions, packagong, labels etc 😊 But I have other G noses, with rivets and without, spinner, props, exhausts and more that Tomas will show in his build and I hopefully can manage to post images here also in another thread with my ongoing builds etc 😊

If anyone are interested if my sets I’m willing to sell of course but I don’t own a ”print farm”.. not yet anyway 😂 so It’s on a hobby basis and we’ll see how much interest it will be and I think we can sort something out😉

Regards/ Gunnar 

[Thunnus]

This is great!  I also will be watching with much interest!  I love the late G-10/K airframes and I'm glad to hear that others have taken up the baton that AMUR Reaver started. The prints that Gunnar has produced look good and hopefully have that characteristic asymmetrical "chunkiness" that was lacking in the Revell G releases.

[mozart]

Great introduction Tomas, I think you have covered everything very thoroughly…..and in perfect English! Following my friend. 

[TBC]

I have two Revell kits, so I'd be interested in two sets, Gunnar. I'll wait patiently until you make a decision one way or another.  And I'm not concerned about instructions. Based on what I see above, it all looks rather straight forward. Thank you.

[Erwin]

Great looking set.

 

PS:

I see you are new here.

The 109 groupbuild starts on Dec. 1 st.

If progress is less that 25 % at that time.

You could ask this WIP to be moved to the GB.

 

The more the merrier.

[PEYSSON Gilles]

Hello Tomas

I'll take a chair to follow your assembly with great interest !

The 3D-printed parts are very beautiful. 👍

 

Gilles

 

 

[LSP_Kevin]

4 hours ago, Gunnar J said:

Hi

as mentioned in another thread I as of know don’t intendent to release it as a company as usch, I don’t have the knowledge making a site to order from etc, doing graphics for instructions, packagong, labels etc 😊 But I have other G noses, with rivets and without, spinner, props, exhausts and more that Tomas will show in his build and I hopefully can manage to post images here also in another thread with my ongoing builds etc 😊

If anyone are interested if my sets I’m willing to sell of course but I don’t own a ”print farm”.. not yet anyway 😂 so It’s on a hobby basis and we’ll see how much interest it will be and I think we can sort something out😉

Regards/ Gunnar 

 

If I may be so bold, Gunnar, I would suggest creating an account on Cults3D, and simply uploading your STL files there - you can choose whether to charge for them or offer them for free. Then, for the growing number of modellers who own a 3D printer, they can simply purchase/download the files and take care of themselves. You don't have to do a thing!

 

Kev

[nmayhew]

On 11/12/2025 at 5:37 PM, Gunnar J said:

Hi

as mentioned in another thread I as of know don’t intendent to release it as a company as usch, I don’t have the knowledge making a site to order from etc, doing graphics for instructions, packagong, labels etc 😊 But I have other G noses, with rivets and without, spinner, props, exhausts and more that Tomas will show in his build and I hopefully can manage to post images here also in another thread with my ongoing builds etc 😊

If anyone are interested if my sets I’m willing to sell of course but I don’t own a ”print farm”.. not yet anyway 😂 so It’s on a hobby basis and we’ll see how much interest it will be and I think we can sort something out😉

Regards/ Gunnar 

 

Hi Gunnar!

 

Very pleased to see both you and Tomas here on LSP

 

definitely interested in your Erla set - I'll drop him a line.

 

many thanks

 

Nick

Edited November 16, 2025 by nmayhew

[Tomas Enerdal]

You don't have to be Einstein to realize that the end result will depend a LOT on the conversion itself, and how it can be made to be integrated with the donor kit.

I will therefore start this whole thread with a thorough examination of the conversion itself as such.

 

To be continued, 

[Gazzas]

I'll be glad to watch this.  I have both the kit and the Amur Reaver conversion.