Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA8761 Messerschmitt BF 109F-4 Trop "Star of Africa" flown by Lt. Hans-Joachim Marseille, 3./JG 27, Libya, Feb 1942. 1/48 Scale Diecast Model, Size: 8.25" Wingspan, 7.5" Long, Optional Up & Down Landing Gear, Armaments & Display Stand Are Included. Long, Optional Up & Down Landing Gear, Armaments & Display Stand Are Included.

The first Bf-109G ôGustavö 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.

Hans-Joachim Marseille was one of Germany’s top Aces of WWII with all but 7 of his 158 victories while flying his Bf-109 over Africa. This action earned him the nickname “Star of Africa”. Marseille had excellent eyesight spotting enemy aircraft before they spotted him. His attacks were carried out using speed to escape any counter fire and his marksmanship was deadly. In February 1942 he destroyed 16 aircraft. Marseille was killed when his engine failed and he had to bail out, hitting the aircraft tail and unable to open his parachute.