{"product_id":"az-model-plastic-model-kit-messerschmitt-bf-109g-6-in-swiss-service-1-72","title":"AZ Model Plastic Model kit Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 In Swiss Service — 1:72","description":"\u003cp\u003eManufacturer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAZ Model is a Czech specialist manufacturer known for limited-run and less commonly represented aircraft subjects. The AZ7490 was produced as a special\/limited boxing concentrating on Swiss-operated Bf 109G-6 aircraft, rather than a generic Luftwaffe G-6.\n\u003cbr\u003eKit contents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe AZ7490 is a 1:72 injection-moulded plastic aircraft kit representing the Bf 109G-6 configuration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit contains the principal components needed to build the aircraft, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Injection-moulded fuselage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Upper and lower wing sections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Tailplane and rudder\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Cockpit and pilot's position\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engine cowling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Propeller and spinner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Retractable landing gear\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Radiator and oil-cooler components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Armament and external fittings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Clear canopy components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Decals for Swiss-service aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Assembly instructions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe AZ Model Bf 109G tooling was offered in several closely related boxings, including AZ7488 “In Romanian Service,” AZ7489 “Aces,” AZ7490 “In Swiss Service” and AZ7496 “Captured.”\n\u003cbr\u003eHistory of the full-size aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messerschmitt Bf 109 was Germany's principal single-seat fighter during much of the Second World War. Designed by Willy Messerschmitt's Bayerische Flugzeugwerke, the prototype first flew in 1935.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe design was unusually advanced for the mid-1930s, incorporating an all-metal stressed-skin structure, enclosed cockpit, retractable undercarriage and a liquid-cooled inline engine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bf 109 went through numerous versions as increasingly powerful engines and improved armament were introduced. The Gustav, or Bf 109G, became the most numerous major production family.\n\u003cbr\u003eBf 109G-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe G-6 was introduced in 1943 and became one of the most numerous Bf 109 variants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was developed partly in response to the increasing armament and performance requirements of the air war. The standard G-6 carried two 13 mm MG 131 machine guns mounted above the engine and a 20 mm MG 151\/20 cannon firing through the propeller hub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe larger MG 131 installation required characteristic streamlined fairings on the upper engine cowling. These gave the G-6 its familiar “Beule” or bulged-cowling appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft could also carry additional weapons or external fuel tanks depending on its mission.\n\u003cbr\u003eEngine and performance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bf 109G-6 was powered primarily by the Daimler-Benz DB 605A liquid-cooled inverted V-12 engine, producing roughly 1,475 hp in its standard configuration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTypical published specifications include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engine: Daimler-Benz DB 605A\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Power: approximately 1,475 hp\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Maximum speed: approximately 640 km\/h at altitude\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Armament: one 20 mm MG 151\/20 cannon plus two 13 mm MG 131 machine guns\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Crew: 1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Role: Fighter\/interceptor\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    First G-6 deliveries: 1943\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePerformance varied substantially according to altitude, engine variant, equipment and external stores.\n\u003cbr\u003eSwiss service\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Swiss Air Force operated the Bf 109 for many years and is an especially interesting part of the aircraft's history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSwitzerland initially acquired earlier Bf 109 variants during the 1930s. During the Second World War, Switzerland remained neutral but maintained an active air force to defend its airspace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSwiss Bf 109s were used to intercept aircraft that violated Swiss airspace. The Swiss pilots consequently encountered both Allied and Axis aircraft during the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSwitzerland also acquired and operated Bf 109G-6 aircraft, making the subject of AZ7490 historically distinct from the much more commonly modelled Luftwaffe G-6.\n\u003cbr\u003eSwiss neutrality and airspace interceptions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSwiss Bf 109s became involved in a number of airspace incidents during the Second World War. Switzerland's position in the centre of Europe meant that Allied bomber formations and German aircraft could enter Swiss airspace, deliberately or accidentally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSwiss fighters were scrambled to intercept intruders, and there were several aerial confrontations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Swiss Air Force's Bf 109s therefore performed a genuine operational role despite Switzerland remaining officially neutral.\n\u003cbr\u003eSwiss markings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSwiss Bf 109s are particularly attractive modelling subjects because of their distinctive national markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSwiss aircraft carried the white Swiss cross on a red square rather than the German Balkenkreuz. Swiss camouflage and individual aircraft markings also differed from standard Luftwaffe schemes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe AZ7490 boxing was specifically created around these Swiss-service machines, making it distinct from the company's standard Luftwaffe Bf 109 boxings.\n\u003cbr\u003ePost-war service\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Swiss continued to operate Bf 109s after the Second World War. The type remained in Swiss service into the 1950s, making Switzerland one of the last operators of the Bf 109.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft was eventually replaced by more modern jet fighters as Switzerland modernised its air force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis gives the Swiss Bf 109 an unusually long operational history: it began as a pre-war European fighter, served through the Second World War in Swiss neutrality patrols, and survived into the early jet age.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AZ Model","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57504170246524,"sku":"AZ7490","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/sussex-model-centre.co.uk\/products\/az-model-plastic-model-kit-messerschmitt-bf-109g-6-in-swiss-service-1-72","provider":"Sussex Model Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}