Messerschmitt Bf 109F – Yellow 14, 3./JG 27, Luftwaffe, Hans-Joachim Marseille, Libya, February 1942 1/48

Hobby Master 1/48 scale HA8761: Messerschmitt Bf 109F Yellow 14, 3./JG 27, Luftwaffe, Hans-Joachim Marseille, Libya, February 1942. Production run of 700 models.

Length 7.5 inches Wingspan 8.25 inches

Hans-Joachim Marseille was one of Germany’s top Aces of WWII with all but 7 of his 158 victories while flying his Bf-109 over Africa. This action earned him the nickname “Star of Africa”. Marseille had excellent eyesight spotting enemy aircraft before they spotted him. His attacks were carried out using speed to escape any counter fire and his marksmanship was deadly. In February 1942 he destroyed 16 aircraft. Marseille was killed when his engine failed and he had to bail out, hitting the aircraft tail and unable to open his parachute.

Designed to meet a Luftwaffe need for a single-seat fighter/interceptor, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 was first flown on May 28th, 1935. Its all-metal construction, closed canopy and retractable gear made the Bf 109 one of the first true modern fighters of WWII. This versatile aircraft served in many roles and was the most produced aircraft of the war and the backbone of the Luftwaffe, and was flown by Germany’s top three aces, who claimed a total of 928 victories between them. Armed with two cannons and two machine guns, the Bf 109’s design underwent constant revisions, which allowed it to remain competitive until the end of the war.