Messerschmitt Bf109G-6 - Luftwaffe - "Erich Hartmann" 4./JG 52 Hungary, 1944

Product description

The first Bf-109G “Gustav” entered service in March 1942. New features were a pressurized
cockpit with three larger guns mounted on the nose and none on the wings but could be field
mounted. The Bf-109G could overheat causing oil leaks; starting a fire forcing the pilot to bail out.
The Gustav was produced in many variants including long-range fighters, recon fighters and
bomber destroyers. The Bf-109G-6 lacked a pressurized cockpit but was the most numerous Bf-
109 produced and the first to carry 13mm machine guns; equivalent to the American 50 caliber
Browning.

On January 30, 1944 Erich Hartmann claimed six enemy aircraft; his 178th – 183rd victories and
on February 1, 1944 Erich Hartmann claimed another five victories; his 186th – 190th. On
February 26, 1944 10 Airacobras fell victim to Hartmann. On October 1, 1944 he was appointed
Staffelkapitän of 4./JG 52 (or 7./JG 52) based in Hungary and by year’s end Hartmann had a total
of 331 victories. At the end of WWII Hartmann’s total victory tally stood at 352 after having flown
825 missions.