Eduard 1/48 Legion Condor Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

During the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39, the country was divided by the Republican faction who was supported by the Soviet Union and Mexico versus the Nationalists led by General Francisco Franco and supported by Germany, Italy, Portugal, and even the Vatican. Germany was rebuilding its nation from the aftermath of the First World War and it deployed volunteers from the Luftwaffe and the Wehrmacht under the banner of the Condor Legion to regain combat experience and evaluate its weapons systems in action.

When Eduard was about a month away from releasing this new limited edition kit combo, they posted the new box art on Facebook. It was a good thing I wasn't drinking coffee the moment I saw this new box art as Eduard was having some fun while pulling off a marketing coup. There was the box art you see above but the words were "Legion Condom"! That is certainly one way to get everyone to talk about your new kit. Too bad they revised that box art a few days later.

In this release, Eduard has combined parts from their Bf 109E-1 and E-3 with Roden's 1/48 He 51. These kits are both updated with color photo-etched parts for their respective cockpits, yellow-tape paint masks, and a nice selection of decal subjects. The Bf 109E kit is molded in gray styrene and presented on five parts trees plus one tree of clear parts. The He 51 is also molded in gray and also presented on five parts trees plus one tiny tree of clear parts.

This release offers the following features and options:

• Bf 109:
  • Choice of Bf 109E-1 or Bf 109E-3
  • Detailed cockpit using the color-printed photo-etch
  • Crew restraints provided using color-printed photo-etch
  • Positionable canopy
  • Detailed engine
  • Detailed gun deck
  • Positionable cowling panels
  • Positionable flaps
  • Positionable ailerons
  • Positionable rudder
• He 51:
  • Detailed cockpit using the color-printed photo-etch
  • Crew restraints provided using color-printed photo-etch
  • Positionable cockpit door
  • Centerline external fuel tank
  • Rigging instructions available on the Eduard website

Markings are provided to replicate one of the following eight subjects:

• He 51B-1, 2-23, 2. J/88, Avila, Spain, 1936
• He 51C-1, 2-78, 3. J/88, Calamocha, Spain, 1938
• He 51B-1, 2-64, 1. J/88, Battle of Brunete, Spain, 1937
• He 51B-1, 2-102, Dr. Heinrich Neumann, Medical Battalion, San/88, Spain, 1938
• Bf 109E-1, 6-119, 1. J/88, Leon, Spain, 1939
• Bf 109E-3, 6-123, 3. J/88, Spain, 1938
• Bf 109E-3, 6-107, 2. J/88, Catalunyan Front, Spain, 1939
• Bf 109E-3, 6-109, 3. J/88, Spain, 1939

These kits will make an interesting pairing representing Germany's dress rehearsal prior to launching into World War II. These are both straightforward builds for the experienced modeler.

For a look at the Bf 109E built-up, look here.

My sincere thanks to Eduard for this review sample!