HASEGAWA PLASTIC HOBBY MODEL KIT 1/48 Messerschmitt Bf109F-4 TROP/R1 w/ Gun Pack

HASEGAWA PLASTIC HOBBY MODEL KIT
1/48 Messerschmitt Bf109F-4 TROP/R1 w/ Gun Pack

According to a Luftwaffe manual from May 1941, the Bf109F series consisted of the F-1 and F-2 models, powered by the high-octane fueled DB601N engine, and the F-3 and F-4 models, which were powered by the DB601E using regular fuel. The F-4 model featured further variants, the R1 and R7 types, respectively, which were equipped with MG 151 (15mm) gunpacks under each wing. Wartime
photographic records confirm the presence of several F-4s equipped with MG151/20 (20mm) gunpacks in the Rl/R7 configuration serving with Jagdgeschwader 52 on the Eastern Front. There is also a photographic record of F-4Trop (Bf109F with modifications for operations in tropical or desert climates) aircraft similarly equipped. A recently discovered photograph from 1942 also
confims service with JG 52 of an F-4Trop fitted out with the gunpacks, which Luftwaffe personnel commonly referred to as "gondola" ("gondel" in German), after the resemblance of their shape to that of the famed Venetian pole boats.
 The aircraft in this photo is emblazoned with a well-known unit insignia depicting a Spitfire-like aircraft grabbed in mid-flight over the English Channel by a giant fist. A rare color photo shows another Bf109F with this unit featuring the same unit insignia on its cowling. From the photographic evidence, Hasegawa can determine that the paint scheme of the aforementioned F-4Trop featured an
all-yellow cowling and rudder, with the "snared Spitfire" insignia painted just after the yellow fuselage band. Photos also show considerable grime buildup under the wings around the gunpacks, probably as a result of gunpowder flash from the latter.
 The MG151/20 gunpack-equipped Bf109Fs began service with JG 52 from mid-1942, with the type increasingly sent to the Eastern Front after that, apparently to counter the heavily armored Soviet IL-2 Sturmovik ground attack aircraft. On June 22, 1942, an F-4/R1 piloted by I.(first squadron)/JG 52
commander Hauptmann Helmut Benneman shot down a Soviet twin-engined Pe-2 bomber, marking JG 52's 2000th enemy aircraft destroyed. Over the subsequent two weeks, I./JG 52 racked up another 100 enemy aircraft destroyed against a loss of only three of their own.

Data: Bfl09F-4
Engine: DB601E (1350ps, using regular fuel)
Length: 8.94m
Wingspan: 9.924m
Height: 3.2m (in level flight)
Max takeoff weight: 2740kg
Armament: MG151 (15mm)automatic cannon X 1 (or MG151120(20mm)automatic cannon X 1),cowling-mounted MG 17(7.92mm) X 2.

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