Numerically the most abundant fighter produced by either side during WWII, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 formed the backbone of the Jagdwaffe on both the eastern and western fronts, as well as in the Mediterranean and North Africa. Of the eight distinct sub-types within the huge Bf 109 family, the most populous was the G-model, of which over 30,000 were built between 1941-45. Despite its production run, only a handful of genuine German Bf 109s have survived into the 1990s, and with the serious damaging of the RAFs G-2 at Duxford in October 1997, only the German-based MBB G-6 and Hans Ditte's G-10 (both composites) are currently airworthy.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a German Messerschmitt Bf-109E-3 fighter flown by lengendary Luftwaffe ace Heinz Bar during the Battle of Britain. Comes with his Kubelwagen car, grassy diorama base and numbered certificate of authenticity. Sold Out!

Aircraft Dimensions:
Wingspan: 5-1/4-inches
Length: 5-inches

Release Date: May 2005

Historical Account: "'Til the Bitter End" - When War erupted in Europe, Heinz Bar held the rank of Unteroffizer (or Corporal) with the 1. Staffel, I Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 51, which flew the Messerschmitt Bf 109E fighter. Feldwebel (or Technical Sergeant) Bar downed his first enemy aircraft -- an American-made French Armee de L' Air Curtiss Hawk 75A fighter -- over Weissenberg, Germany on September 25th, 1939. During the Battle of Britain, he was the Luftwaffe's top scoring NCO pilot with a total of 17 kills. He attained 27 aerial victories by July 2nd, 1941, whereby he was commissioned a Leutnant (or 2nd Lieutenant) and awarded the Ritterkreuz (or Knight's Cross).

Leutnant Bar became the Gruppenkommandeur of IV/JG 51 when the unit was transferred to the East on July 27th, 1941, where it was attached to JG 53 "Pik As", participating the invasion of the Soviet Union. Oberleutant (1st Lieutenant) Bär was awarded the Eichenlaub (or Oak Leaves) to his Ritterkreuz following his 56th victory on August 14th, 1941. On November 24th, 1941, after the death of Kommodore Werner Molders, JG 51 became the "Molders" Geschwader. On February 16th, 1942, Bar was awarded the Schwertern (or Swords) to his Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub plus he was promoted to Hauptmann (Captain) after his 90th aerial victory.

Hauptmann Bar transferred to the Mediterranean Front to become the Gruppenkommandeur of I/JG 77 "Herzas" on May 1st, 1942. Here he flew the Bf 109F and later the Bf 109G models. The strain of constant battle and the inevitable defeat of the Axis within the Mediterranean Theatre eventually took its toll on Bar, so he was eventually relieved of command.

Following his recuperation, Hauptmann Bar was soon assigned to Reich's Defense duties with II/JG 1 "Oesau" to fly the heavily armed Focke-Wulf Fw 190A fighter as the Allied bombing campaign gathered momentum. He was eventually promoted to the rank of Major and the position of Gruppenkommandeur of II/JG 1. Bar gained his 200th aerial victory on April 22nd, 1944. Bar would be credited with 21 heavy bombers downed while defending the Reich.