"Guns before butter. Guns will make us powerful; butter will only make us fat."
- Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering, Head of the German Luftwaffe

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-6 "Gustav" fighter that was flown by Erich Hartmann, Kommandeur of I/Jagdgeschwader 53 "Pik As" ("Ace of Spades"), then deployed to Hungary during 1945. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: August 2013

Historical Account: "Decorated Ace" - The Messerschmitt Bf109G was the most widely produced of all the variants of Germany's most famous fighter aircraft. Fighting over the Mediterranean, the Western Front and over the steppes and tundra of Russia, the 109G proved itself to be a versatile and effective fighter, staying in service until the end of the war.

This Bf109G6 was flown by Erich Hartmann, one of the most famous pilots of the war and the most successful of all time. He began his flying career with Messerschmitt Bf109s and used them throughout the war, during which time he amassed an incredible 352 aerial victories. All bar one of his kills were scored while flying with JG 52 and it was in this Bf 109G-6 that Hartmann scored his only non-JG 52 victory.

While in temporary command of JG 53 and based in Hungary during 1945 he downed a Yak-9, pouncing upon it as it escorted a number of A-20 bombers.Surviving the war. Hartmann was imprisoned in Soviet Russia and upon his release he became an officer in the West German Air Force, his famous Tulip nose art becoming synonymous with the unit he then commanded, JG 71 Richthofen. He died in 1993.