Messerschmitt BF-109 - Guillow’s

Description

Messerschmitt BF-109 (GU401LC)

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is a German World War II fighter aircraft that was the backbone of the Luftwaffe’s fighter force. The Bf 109 first saw operational service in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War and was still in service at the dawn of the jet age at the end of World War II in 1945. It was one of the most advanced fighters of the era, including such features as all-metal monocoque construction, a closed canopy, and retractable landing gear. It was powered by a liquid-cooled, inverted-V12 aero engine. From the end of 1941, the Bf 109 was steadily being supplemented by the Focke-Wulf Fw 190. It was commonly called the Me 109, most often by Allied aircrew and even among the German aces themselves, even though this was not the official German designation.

It was designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser, who worked at Bayerische Flugzeugwerke during the early to mid-1930s. Whilst the 109 was conceived as an interceptor, later models were developed to fulfill multiple tasks, serving as bomber escort, fighter-bomber, day-, night-, all-weather fighter, ground-attack aircraft, and as reconnaissance aircraft. It was supplied to and operated by several states during World War II, and served with several countries for many years after the war. The Bf 109 is the most produced fighter aircraft in history, with a total of 33,984 airframes produced from 1936 up to April 1945.

The Bf 109 was flown by the three top-scoring German fighter aces of World War II, who claimed 928 victories among them while flying with Jagdgeschwader 52, mainly on the Eastern Front. The highest scoring fighter ace of all time, Erich Hartmann, flew the Bf 109 and was credited with 352 aerial victories. The aircraft was also flown by Hans-Joachim Marseille, the highest-scoring German ace in the North African Campaign, who achieved 158 aerial victories. It was also flown by several other aces from Germany’s allies, notably the Finn Ilmari Juutilainen, the highest scoring non-German ace on the type, and pilots from Italy, Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria and Hungary. Through constant development, the Bf 109 remained competitive with the latest Allied fighter aircraft until the end of the war.

By the end of the war, a significant fraction of Bf 109 production originated in concentration camps, including Flossenbürg, Mauthausen-Gusen, and Buchenwald.

Messerschmitt BF-109 (GU401LC)

Scale: 1:16

Wing Span: 24 3/8 inches

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Additional information

Weight	5 lbs

Brand

Guillow’s

Sometimes, even an Historic Ship Modeler needs to take a break and build something different, which is why we carry a range of balsa airplane kits from Paul K. Guillow, Inc., an American manufacturer that has been making these kits since 1926.

From the Fokker triplane to the Sopwith Camel of WWI to the P-51 Mustang and P-38 Lightning of WWII to the modern day F-15 Eagle fighter jet, you will find that our balsa airplane models appeal to both the young and the “young at heart”. Who doesn’t remember those shiny red propellers on a favorite toy airplane!

Note that many Guillows kits are designed for flight, but many are for display only. Be sure to check the kit descriptions to make sure you get what you’re expecting.