"For the last two and one-half years the bitter and costly struggle against Bolshevism has made the utmost demands upon the bulk of our military resources and energies. This commitment was in keeping with the seriousness of the danger, and the over-all situation. The situation has since changed. The threat from the East remains, but an even greater danger looms in the West: the Anglo-American landing! In the East, the vastness of the space will, as a last resort, permit a loss of territory even on a major scale, without suffering a mortal blow to Germany's chance for survival. Not so in the West! If the enemy here succeeds in penetrating our defenses on a wide front, consequences of staggering proportions will follow within a short time. All signs point to an offensive against the Western Front of Europe no later than spring, and perhaps earlier. For that reason, I can no longer justify the further weakening of the West in favor of other theaters of war. I have therefore decided to strengthen the defenses in the West, particularly at places from which we shall launch our long-range war against England. For those are the very points at which the enemy must and will attack; there--unless all indications are misleading--will be fought the decisive invasion battle."
- Fuhrer Directive No. 51, announcing preparations for a two-front war, November 3rd, 1943

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.

Pictured here is a 1:48 scale replica of a German Messerschmitt Bf-109G-6 "Gustav" fighter that was piloted by Ofw. Alfred Surau, who was attached to 9./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet", then deployed to Germany during September 1943. #HA8752

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-3/4-inches
Length: 9-1/4-inches

Features:
- Diecast construction
- Accurate markings and insignia
- Opening canopy
- Comes with seated pilot figure
- Spinning propeller
- Interchangeable landing gear
- Comes with display stand

Historical Account: "Eye Candy" - Sporting elaborate eye markings on the cannon bulges, this Messerschmitt Bf109G-6 of 9. Staffel was flown by one of the Luftwaffe's shortest lived, but most effective aces. Alfred Surau scored his first kill on February 28th, 1943, while flying on the Russian front. When III./JG3 was transferred to the Western Front his kill tally had reached 41 in just six months. The skilled veterans of the Eastern Campaign made III./JG3 one of the most effective in the Luftwaffe at downing the USAAF heavy bombers that now threatened German cities and industry on a daily basis.

While the Bf109G-6 was not the most effective machine for tackling the big heavy bombers it was still capable of some successes. Surau's winning streak was not to last. On October 14th, 1943, return fire from a B17, his 46th and final kill, fatally injured him. He bailed out but died of his injuries later that day.

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