Me-109 // Erich Hartmann

Messerschmitt Me-109 airplane model flown by Erich Hartmann. The Me-109 was the standard fighter of the Luftwaffe for the duration of WWII, although it began to be partially replaced by the Focke-Wulf Fw-190 from 1942. The Me-109 (Bf-109) scored more aircraft kills in World War Two than any other aircraft. At various times it served as an air superiority fighter, an escort fighter, an interceptor, a ground-attack aircraft and a reconnaissance aircraft. The Bf 109 was produced in greater quantities than any other fighter aircraft in history, with over 31,000 units built. Although the Bf 109 had weaknesses, including a short range of around 360 miles (580 km) on internal fuel and a sometimes difficult to handle narrow, outward-retracting undercarriage, it stayed competitive with Allied fighter aircraft until the end of the war.

The Me-109 was flown by Erich Hartmann, the top scoring fighter ace of all time with 352 confirmed victories. Although he flew the superior FW-190 for a short time the Me-109 as his preferred aircraft. This model reflects one of the last aircraft he flew.

Mahogany Wood. Scale: 1/24. Wingspan 16 1/4 inches, Length 14 1/2 inches.