Graf Zeppelin’s Eagles: An Operational History of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 T

The history of the Bf 109 T forms a small but important part of the most famous Messerschmitt design. Seventy were built in 1941, initially as the planned fighter complement of the Graf Zeppelin. As the aircraft carrier was cancelled, the Bf 109 Ts were handed over to the Luftwaffe, putting them into service in Norway. However, renewed plans to complete the Graf Zeppelin saw the Bf 109 Ts withdrawn from Norway and converted back to the carrier version. The final cancellation of the Graf Zeppelin at the beginning of 1943 saw the aircraft issued to Jagdstaffel Helgoland and given a new lease of life. The unit moved back to southern Norway at the end of the year. In mid-1944, the Bf 109 T was finally withdrawn from front-line service, and the remaining aircraft transferred to training units.

Graf Zeppelin’s Eagles extensively details the history and use of the Bf 109 T, and includes accounts not only by the Luftwaffe pilots who flew them but also by their opponents from the RAF and the USAAF. Details are included of all known losses.

Book Data

Author: Francis L. Marshal
Colour artwork: Janusz Swiatlon
Scale drawings: Arild Tangerud
ISBN: 9781999316532
Language: English
Pages: 362
Photos: 500
Colour artworks: 16
Physical: Hardcover, 297x210mm, portrait

Contents

1. Development of the BE 100
2. Graf Zeppelin
3. Production and Flight Testing
4. Erprobungestelle der Luftaffe Travemünde
5. The origins of I./JG 77
6. June 1941
7. July 1941
8. August 1941
9. September 1941
10. October 1941
11. November 1941
12. December 1941
13. The Vägösy raid
14. The pause in 1942
15. Training units in 1943
16. Wilde Sau
17. April 1943
18. May 1943
19. June 1943
20. July 1943
21. August 1943
22. September 1943
23. October 1943
24. November 1943
25. December 1943
26. January 1944
27. February 1944
28. March 1944
29. The Final Year
30. Individual aircraft histories