Corgi Aviation Archive 49204

Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4

Trop Fighter Diecast Model - Desert Camo

Luftwaffe 1. Grippe of Jagdeschwader27, Libya Summer 1941

The unit was famed and at one time named for Lt Hans Joachim Marseille who scored 158 victories including 151 against the RAF in North Africa before suffering engine failure and striking the tail plane on bailing out in September 1942

Limited Edition of 4600 Pieces Worldwide

This is number 01145

1:72 Scale Length Width

Messerschmitt Bf 109E 5" 5.5"

Model is Displayed only and in Mint condition and is complete with Limited Edition certification

Box opened for photos

As the savage aerial fighting above the evacuation beaches of Dunkirk was taking a heavy toll on both sides, the airmen of Britain and Germany knew this was just a pre-curser of a more significant battle to come. Having lost valuable fighters during the Battle of France and Operation Dynamo, the RAF knew that they were facing a battle-hardened enemy, equipped with the most feared fighter aircraft in the world, the agile and heavily armed Messerschmitt Bf 109, which had ruthlessly cleared European skies of all opposition air forces sent against it.

Supremely confident and possessing much greater numbers, the fighter pilots of the Luftwaffe would be at a disadvantage for the first time, fighting against an organised RAF, equipped with excellent fighters of their own and having extremely well trained pilots. The Germans would also be fighting over enemy territory with the English Channel acting as a physical and psychological barrier during combat - if they were shot down, or suffered mechanical difficulties, their chances of getting back to France were now looking much less likely. Despite these new challenges, swarms of Messerschmitts crossed the Channel, determined to break the resolve of the Royal Air Force.

Messerschmitt Bf 109E

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.

Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series

The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.

Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:

Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.

Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.

Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.

Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.

Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".

Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.

Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.

Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.

Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.

Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.