Background

The Revell of Germany BF110 G-4 night fighter kit in 1/32nd scale has been around for at least 20 years, and lives on at swap meets or on the Internet where it is often available for around $25. The kit has some advantages— including being the only option in that scale!— but is woefully inadequate in detailing and accuracy. If you do plan on building it, expect to put in some hours scribing the raised panel lines and adding proper detailing, unless you just want a big version of this aircraft OOB (you’ll need decals, too, with Peddinghaus your only option). I have already reviewed the options for the interior, as well as an extensive (if complex) resin conversion to correct problems like the under size props, spinners and tail surfaces, but wanted to review the Eduard PE upgrade for the exterior.

The Kit

As with other Eduard upgrades, this one comes in a clear flat plastic envelope with 2 frets of PE brass, 2 pages of easy-to-follow instructions. The detailing the radiator wire screen interiors, radiator flaps, intake louvers on the engine, nose armor, 2cm nose-mounted cannon, etc. I have had mixed success with Eduard’s upgrades, but this one is actually among the better ones. There are some areas where PE just doesn't cut it, including the underbelly aerial (best rendered by scratch-building some wire). The brass parts for upgrading the twin, staggered nose cannon outwitted me, but overall I can't imagine completing the kit without this upgrade, though you will definitely want to consider the resin conversion kits from Jerry Rutman for this model (available here, especially the props, spinners and tail surfaces, all of which are undersized on the kit). Any serious fan or builder will want as well the Osprey Publication Messerschmitt BF 110G-4 Walk Around

Conclusion

Unlike with Eduard's interior upgrade, this one is excellent with correct detailing.