Corgi Aviation Archive AA27107 Messerschmitt BF109G-6 Kurt Gabler JG300 " Red 8 ". 1/72 Scale Diecast Model, Size: 5.5" Wingspan, 5" Long, Optional Up & Down Landing Gear, Armaments & Display Stand Are Included.

One of the more unusual late war Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters was ‘Red 8’ flown by Oblt. Kurt Gabler, interim Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG300. Gabler was specifically tasked with trying to shoot down the fast De Havilland Mosquito reconnaissance aircraft of the Royal Air Force, but as the Mosquito could outrun most Luftwaffe fighters of the day, Gabler tried to give himself as much chance as possible in catching these elusive aircraft. It appears he may have instructed ground crews at Juterbog-Waldlager to sand back the wings and fuselage of his Messerschmitt to bare metal and may have even had the machine polished in an attempt to gain valuable additional speed. The rudder and wing tips retained white paint and the black spinner had a spiral white band around it, whilst the aircraft retained its ‘Red 8’ and red unit identification band around the rear fuselage. The tail of Gabler’s Messerschmitt carries 17 victory marks, achieved in just 23 combat sorties, with only one of these victories coming against a British Mosquito.