Airfix A17003 Messerschmitt Bf 109G-5/6 1:24 Model Kit
Messerschmitt Bf109G-5/G-6
Arguably
the most important Luftwaffe fighter aircraft of the Second World War,
the BF109 was designed by Professor Willy Messerschmitt. The prototype
first flew in May 1935. The Bf109 E appeared in late 1938, becoming a
symbol of the Luftwaffe in the skies over England, dogfighting the RAF’s
Spitfires and Hurricanes.
During 1940, Messerschmitt were
working on the Bf109 F, which featured the DB601E engine and much
improved aerodynamics. The wings were reduced in area and featured new
rounded wingtips. The DB605 engine was developed to be easier to
manufacture than the complex DB601E, and the power output was raised to
1455bhp. The BF109 when fitted with this engine became the Bf109 G
“Gustav”.
In February 1943 the nose-mounted 7.92mm MG 17 guns
were upgraded to the 13mm MG 131, leading to the distinctive bulged
cowlings of the G-5 and G-6 models. The G-5 and G-6 were the most
produced variants, with over 12,000 aircraft manufactured. The
high-altitude G-5 featured a pressurized cockpit, with an engine driven
compressor and sealed canopy glazing. The Bf109 G could be fitted with
two additional MG151/20 cannon in under-wing gondolas, as well as a 300l
fuel tank, rockets and bomb racks. Tropical equipment allowed the Bf109
G to serve in the dusty conditions of North Africa.
The G-6
first equipped JG 27, 51, 53 and 77 in the Mediterranean theatre, and
went on to equip many Luftwaffe fighter units in Western Europe and the
Eastern Front, where the highest scoring fighter ace, Erich Hartmann,
achieved a claimed 352 aerial kills.
Model Build Options & Features:
- 406 parts & 5 decal options for the same airframe in Luftwaffe, captured RAF and USAF schemes.
- Canopy mask sheet.
- Wingspan: 414mm, Length: 378mm
- Model can be built with or without the fully detailed DB605 engine.
- Engine cowlings and oil cooler can be posed in open or closed position
- Choice of two types of engine cowlings (MTT and Erla)
- Canopy can be posed open or closed (two canopy types included)
- Additional engine and cockpit parts included for G-5 (pressurised cockpit version)
- Optional 300l fuel tank and wing cannon “Gondolas”
- Ailerons, elevators and rudder can be offset to add life to the model.
- Radiator and wing flap position can be customised
-
Many optional parts to suit specific aircraft builds, such as rudder
pedals, gunsights, trim wheels, instrument panels, undercarriage
wheels/tyres and windscreens
- Detailed nose armament with machine guns, gun mounts and ammunition boxes included
- Slide moulding used to allow the capture of fine detail on engine cowlings, fuselage, exhausts and gun barrels
The decal schemes included are for captured US, RAF and of course the original Luftwaffe schemes.