Carousel 1 AirCraft 7101
Messerschmitt Bf 109E Diecast Model
Luftwaffe JG 26 Schlageter, Adolf Galland, Battle of Britain, 1940
Limited Edition | 1:48 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Messerschmitt Bf 109E | | 7.5" | | 8.25" |
Adolf Galland was the most famous German ace of the Second World War. He enlisted in the secret Luftwaffe in 1933. Assigned to JG 27, Galland began scoring victories on 12 May 1940 during the German invasion of Belgium. Twelve victories in the Battle of France led to his promotion to Major and leadership of III/JG 26 "Schlageter". Galland became the second-ranking German ace behind his friend and rival, Werner Moelders. On I August Galland had 17 victories, and Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring awarded him the Ritterkreuz, or Knight's Cross, previously awarded only to Moelders among fighter pilots. In the thick of the Battle of Britain, Galland shot down three British fighters on three occasions--15 August, 31 August and 18 September. On 17 August Galland was summoned to a meeting with Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering at Goering's estate in Germany. Goering made Galland Geschwaderkommodore, or Wing Commander, of JG 26. The short range of the 109's, which had been designed as interceptors, limited their combat time over southeast Britain to 10-20 minutes, and on one occasion Galland crossed the Channel on fumes, gliding to a crash-landing on the beach at Cap Gris Nez. Galland's most famous moment came in September when Goering visited the fighter unit commanders in France. First Goering angrily criticized them for allowing British Spitfires and Hurricanes to shoot down so many German bombers. Then he asked Galland what he needed to defeat the Royal Air Force. Galland answered, "I'd like Spitfires for my Geschwader." Goering left in a fury. But Galland remained in favor, because by 23 September he had reached 40 victories. Hitler honored him by spending Christmas Day 1940 in company with Galland and JG 26. Following the death of Werner Moelders, on 28 November 1941 Galland was forced to abandon combat flying to become Inspekteur der Jagdfleiger, or Commander of Fighters, with the rank of Generalmajor. In January 1945 his volatile relationship with Goering soured, and Galland returned to combat with a special unit of Me 262 jet fighters. Galland was recruited to organize the air force of Argentina in 1947 and came home to Germany in 1955. With the publication of his autobiography, The First and the Last, he became celebrated around the aviation world. Adolf Galland died in 1996 . Please note: This model comes with a Swastika decal that can optionally be applied to the tail for added authenticity. Limited Edition of 1800 pieces. The Carousel 1 "AirCraft" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft. Carousel 1 "AirCraft" diecast airplanes feature: - Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Optional extended/retracted metal landing gear with rotating wheels and rubber tires.
- Extremely detailed cockpit interiors with glazed instruments.
- Detailed removable pilot figures.
- Spinning metal propellers.
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
[See more Carousel 1 AirCraft products]Designed by Willy Messerschmitt during Germany's military build-up in the 1930s, the Bf 109 was first flown on May 28th, 1935. [See more Messerschmitt Bf 109E products] |
