Eduard 1/48 WGr.21 for Bf 109 Set First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Eduard from the Czech Republic is easily the most prolific producer of aftermarket details. Period. Their series of photo-etched detail sets have brought additional fidelity to otherwise bland subjects, and have taken even the best-produced models and kicked them up a notch or two with details that cannot be produced with injection-molded plastic. Many AMS modelers will collect the relevant Eduard photo-etch sets for a given project, but they'll also go out and gather specific resin enhancements as well. Eduard has stepped up with a new product line to complement their photo-etched detail series - Brassin. Brassin is a play on words with Brass and Resin, and in many sets in this series, the resin details also include a set of color photo-etch as well.

In this release, Eduard has produced a conversion for their Bf 109 kit that configures the aircraft to carry two BR 21 (WGr.21) rocket launchers, one under each wing. The rocket is the Nebelwerfer 42 infantry barrage rocket modified for air-launch against bomber formations. This set includes two launch tubes, two full-sized rockets which can be put into the tubes, two warheads and two nozzle sets that can be inserted into the tubes to simulate the full-sized rockets leaving those for other display possibilities, the Bf 109 reinforcement plates, and the suspension hardware.

These tubes will also work on your favorite Fw 190A-7, Bf 110, Me 210, or Me 410 kit, though you'll have to adapt the suspension system accordingly. Note also that these tubes should be angled up about 15 degrees from the aircraft centerline (not mentioned in the instructions). Check your references for how these were installed on the aircraft you're modeling.

This is a nice enhancement for the Bf 109 (or whatever project you wish) and provides a nice big rocket tube to set your armament apart from the usual gun fighters.

My sincere thanks to Eduard for this review sample!