Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2

Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2    ‘White 2’
7./JG 54 ‘Grunherz’, Ofw Karl Kempf, Russia, autmn 1941.

Like the Spitfire the Messerschmitt Bf 109 continued to evolve throughout the second world war. The F model was based on the famous Bf109-E but had increased power from the latest version of the DB 601N engine and was more aerodynamically refined. The wing mounted 20mm MG FF cannons were discarded and all the armament was focused in the fuselage with a single engine mounted Mauser MG 151 20mm cannon with 200 rounds.
First encounters with the Bf 109F were made with the allies in March and April of 1941 where it was a match for the Spitfire Mk V.
A total of 440 servicable Bf 190’s were available to the Jagdgruppen for Operation Barbarossa and these were responsible for the majority of the 322 Soviet aircraft destroyed during the first day of operations.
Ofw Karl Kempf of 7./JG54 ‘Grunherz’ was one of many pilots to take part in Operation Barbarossa. ‘White 2’ was one of his aircraft and typically bares the yellow theatre markings as well as his then victory tally of 32 kills on the rudder. Kempf was awarded the Knight’s Cross on the 4th of February 1942 when he had acheived 42 victories but was killed on the 3rd of September 1944 when flying with 2./JG 26.

Scale 1:72    Wingspan 5.41″ (137.5 mm)
Base size 6.37″ (162 mm) square (No. 4)
Weight not including base 5.5 ozs (153 grams)