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.

This particular 1:32 scale aircraft bears the "Red 29" insignia on its fuselage and served in the defense of Finland during 1944. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 11-1/2-inches
Length: 11-inches

Release Date: June 2007

Historical Account: "The War Up North" - The Continuation War (June 25th, 1941 - September 19th, 1944) was the second of two wars fought between Finland and the Soviet Union during World War II. At the time of the war, the Finnish side used the name to make clear its perceived relationship to the preceding Winter War. The Soviet Union saw the war as a part of its struggle against Germany and its allies, the Eastern Front of World War II or, as it was known in the Soviet Union, the Great Patriotic War. Germany saw its operations in the region as a part of its overall war efforts of World War II. It provided critical material support and military cooperation to Finland. The United Kingdom declared war on Finland on December 6th, 1941, followed by its dominions shortly afterwards. The British declaration of war on Finland during the Continuation War is a rare case of democracies declaring war on other democracies, although the British forces were not a major belligerent. The United States did not fight or declare war against either party, but sent substantial materiel to the Soviet Union for use in the war effort against Germany and its allies.

Acts of war between the two countries started the day the German invasion was launched. Open warfare began with a Soviet air offensive on June 25th, 1941. Subsequent Finnish operations undid its post-Winter War cessations on the Karelian Isthmus and Ladoga Karelia and captured East Karelia by September 1941. A two and a half year standstill followed, during which Finland refused to actively participate in the siege of Leningrad and to cut the Murmansk railway while Soviet air forces conducted bombings of Helsinki. The Soviet strategic offensive in the summer of 1944 drove the Finns from most of the territories they occupied but later stalemated, leading to Moscow Armistice in September. The war was formally concluded by the ratification of the Paris peace treaty in 1947. Finland ceded a number of territories, including the Karelian regions, and paid reparations of $300,000,000 equaling half of its annual gross domestic product in 1939, while the nation retained its independence.