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.

The Bf 109 G-series was developed from the largely identical F-series airframe, although there were detail differences. Modifications included a reinforced wing structure, an internal bullet-proof windscreen, the use of heavier, welded framing for the cockpit transparencies, and additional light-alloy armor for the fuel tank. It was originally intended that the wheel wells would incorporate small doors to cover the outer portion of the wheels when retracted. To incorporate these the outer wheel bays were squared off. Two small inlet scoops for additional cooling of the spark plugs were added on both sides of the forward engine cowlings. A less obvious difference was the omission of the boundary layer bypass outlets, which had been a feature of the F-series, on the upper radiator flaps.

Like most German aircraft produced in World War II, the Bf 109 G-series was designed to adapt to different operational tasks with greater versatility; larger modifications to fulfill a specific mission task, such as long-range reconnaissance or long-range fighter-bomber, were with "Ruststand" and given a "/R" suffix, smaller modifications on the production line or during overhaul, such as equipment changes, were made with kits of pre-packaged parts known as Umrust-Bausatze, usually contracted to Umbau and given a "/U" suffix. Field kits known as Rustsatze were also available but those did not change the aircraft designation. Special high-altitude interceptors with GM-1 nitrous oxide injection high-altitude boost and pressurized cockpits were also produced.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a German Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 "Gustav" fighter that was flown by Oberleutnant Hermann Graf, who was attached to Staffelkapitan 9./Jagdgeschwader 52, then deployed to Pitomnik during September 1942. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 5-1/2-inches
Length: 5-inches

Release Date: August 2013

Historical Account: "Wounded Knee" - The Bf 109G-2 was the first of the unpressurized variants of the most common of all the Bf 109 variants, the G. Lacking the G-6s prominent machine gun bulges on the engine cowling, the G-2 was armed with a pair of 7.92mm MG17 machine guns, rather than the bigger 13mm weapons of the G-6.

This particular G-2 was the mount of Oberleutnant Hermann Graf, the first pilot ever to accumulate over 200 kills. Graf flew both on the Western and Eastern fronts. He scored his first victory on 4th August 1941 and by January 1942 his score had gone up to 45, increasing to 172 by early September. His 200th victory, commemorated on this machine, came on September 26th, 1942. This meteoric rise however signaled the end of intensive combat operations for Graf. Being a national hero he was moved, first to training units and then to operations against Allied bombers.

Wounded in one of these, he returned to JG 52 and surrendered to the Allies. He died in 1988.