SPA Modeler

I bought a 1/48 Eduard Messerschmitt 109 kit from ebay and the plastic is a tan like color, but I see that there are other ones that have the tan color on some parts and gray on others, and then there are ones that are all gray.

Is there any significance behind the color of the plastic? New/old?

There should be a correct answer by morning! My guess would be the different color part trees were molded at different times and combined later. On many kits, the basic parts may be used for more than one version. The unique parts that would make up a different version could well be in a different color.

A guess says that the tan plastic is older. All the new tool kits of theirs in my stash have gray plastic. I have not looked at any of their old kits in my stash in ages, so I can’t say what color those are. But then again, their 109s are new tool kits...

See! Told you that a better answer would be coming....

So there really should not be a difference between the tan and gray 109?

AtomCat109 wrote:So there really should not be a difference between the tan and gray 109?

Depends. If the same molds were used, no. If th company changed things, it is possible. Molds are insanely expensive to make, though. Just be sure to dry or test fit things.

LyleW wrote:

AtomCat109 wrote:So there really should not be a difference between the tan and gray 109?

Depends. If the same molds were used, no. If th company changed things, it is possible. Molds are insanely expensive to make, though. Just be sure to dry or test fit things.

Eduard did do a significant change in the mold of their Bf-109 G. So there could be differences there. Best source for such information is Scalemates.

I agree with the others, there shouldn't be too much of an issue but check the fit. You also might find that the colour additives have changed the mechanical properties of the plastic - so the one might be harder/softer than the other.

Apologies if I'm telling you what you already know - but I picked up that you said you were new to the hobby after a long break, and that this is an Eduard kit - We are talking about plastic sprues and not the bag of Resin parts they including in some of their boxes, because they can be a tan colour?

Cheers!

Eduard aircraft kits, the new tool ones, come in three basic packages. Weekend Edition, just the plastic parts, the ones in my stash are molded in light olive, tan, or medium to dark gray, and a decal option or two. Profi Pack, which also include resin and/or PE parts, as well as an expended decal marking selection. The only Profi Pack Kit of theirs in my stash, a FW-190A5, is molded in the Olive Tan plastic. And lastly, Royal Class, everything that is in the Profi Pack, plus other goodies (what those are I can’t say, they are priced outside of my price range)
Some of their older multi media kits that I have in my stash are molded in a very light gray plastic.

BorgR3mc0 wrote:
Depends. If the same molds were used, no. If th company changed things, it is possible. Molds are insanely expensive to make, though. Just be sure to dry or test fit things.

Eduard did do a significant change in the mold of their Bf-109 G. So there could be differences there. Best source for such information is Scalemates.

The one I got is the Emil, though this will be good information for me to keep in mind when I get the Gustav.

Keeping my eyes open for the Fi-156 and then the correct Gustav in 1/48 to do them in Swiss colors. Also need to find a Hurricane or Spitfire yoke to go in the Emil since the Swiss used the round handle.

It’s going to be awhile for me before I actually start since I will need to get an airbrush/compressor and then start getting the tools too. Need to stock up on Tamiya or another high quality paint, couple tubes of oil for color effects, weathering wash, future floor wax.... Just going to get the stuff here and there and then start.

Until then will keep on reading and watching the builds until I can truly start.