just ahead of Telford SMW 2025 the new Airfix 1:24 scale Gustav is ready and about to break the internet today! Edit- 07/11/25 move down to the bottom for the first sprue shots
This brand new 405-part kit has been under development for at least two years and can be built as a G-5 or G-6 with five markings options featuring the 6./JG 53 Gustav 'yellow 14' on the box art along with RAF/USAF markings for WNr 15270 following its capture - 'yellow 14' was retrieved on Sicily by the 57th FG during the summer of 1943 and later toured RAF/USAF bases in the UK as VX 101 - there are colour images of the RAF's VX 101 on this blog. The kit looks as though it features an Erla hood but no tall tail options are in the box AFAIK. Incidentally - and as seen on the box art - this G-6 WNr.15270 was a 1943 Erla-built machine and featured their distinctive saw-tooth camouflage. Researcher Luke (now with Revell) first discussed this kit with the Luftwaffe blog a while ago now - but then he was a regular attendee at East Kent Scale Modellers' monthly club night at RAF Manston just a couple of miles from Airfix HQ (..never seen the guy who replaced him though). I was surprised to learn that Airfix had not done market research on this - it was simply a subject they wanted to do. At the time I told Luke that I'd personally like a P-51 B/C but I did hand him a copy of the 508-page 'Luftwaffe fighters' book by Paul Stipdonk and Michael Meyer (JAPO) for research. The new Airfix Gustav will be available in the UK from Jadlam for 18 November, currently on offer at £89 from them for pre-orders. Incidentally the RAF Manston history museum shop usually matches Jadlam prices.
Also on this blog;
'Yellow 14' WNr 15270 -VX 101 in colour
Erla saw-tooth upper wing surfaces camouflage
