Battle of Britain, July - October 1940

Messerschmitt BF 109E

Product History

This single seater fighter was very fast with a top speed of 375 mph generated by its fuel injected engine. It was also highly manoeuvrable with an exceptional dive capability. The ME 109 had considerable firepower with 2 x 2.79mm MG17 guns on its crankcase, 2 x 20mm MGFF cannons in its wings and an MGff/M cannon firing through the spinner. It was used as a bomber escort and would attack British fighters that came too close to the Luftwaffe bomber formations. The only potential overall rival to the ME 109 was the Supermarine Spitfire. Due to lack of fuel the ME 109 was only able to fly 15-20 minutes in the combat area over the South of England.