Corgi Aviation Archive Series Diecast Model

Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 - Erich Hartmann, I./JG 53, Luftwaffe, Hungary, 1945

1:72 Scale.  Length: 5".  Wingspan: 5.4"


Limited Edition of 2000 Models Worldwide

This Messerschmitt Bf 109 was flown by Luftwaffe fighter pilot Erich Hartmann, one of the most famous pilots of World War II. He began his career flying the Bf 109 and used them throughout the war, during which time he amassed 352 aerial victories. All but one of these victories were scored while he was flying with JG 52 and it was in this Bf 109G that Hartmann scored his only non-JG 52 victory.

In 1945, while in temporary command of JG 53 based in Hungary, Hartmann shot down a Yak-9 fighter as it escorted a number of Douglas A-20 light bombers. Surviving the war Hartmann was imprisoned in Soviet Russia and upon his release he became an officer in the West German Air Force, his famous Tulip nose art becoming synonymous with the unit he then commanded, JG 71 Richthofen. He died on September 20, 1993.


The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was a German WWII fighter aircraft. First flown in 1935, it was one of the first modern fighters of the era and included such features as all-metal construction and retractable landing gear. The Bf 109 was produced in greater numbers than any other fighter in history, with a total of 33,984 units produced up to April 1945

The Bf 109 was the backbone of the Luftwaffe fighter force in World War II, although it began to be partially replaced by the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 from 1941. It was the most successful fighter of the war, shooting down more aircraft than any of its contemporaries. Originally conceived as an interceptor, the Bf 109 was developed to fulfill multiple roles, serving as a bomber escort, fighter bomber, all-weather fighter, ground-attack aircraft and as a reconnaissance aircraft. Although it had weaknesses, including short range and challenging take-off and landing characteristics, the Bf 109 stayed competitive with Allied fighter aircraft until the end of the war.


The Corgi Aviation Archive features a wide selection of high quality, ready-made, diecast model airplanes. Each model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft. Corgi models are built with diecast metal and some plastic components.

This display model of a Messerschmitt Bf 109 features: