Hobby Master Archive

1/48 scale pre-finished. Die-cast metal with a minimum of plastic. All markings pad applied for superb results. Canopy slides open. Comes with a pilot that can be removed. Comes with display stand. Landing gear is fully retractable and can be displayed up or down. Propeller is metal. Extremely sought after by collectors.

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA8714 BF 109E-3 model Stab/JG 26, Walter Horten, France, spring 1940

The first German mass produced 109 fighter was the Bf-109E that has been mistakenly referred to as the Me-109. The Bf is the designator for the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) (Bavarian Aircraft Works) that produced the original aircraft. In 1938 Messerschmitt took over BFW but throughout WWII German handbooks and documents referred to the aircraft as the Bf-109. By the end of 1939 the Bf-109E (Emil) had replaced all other 109 variants and equipped 13 Gruppens with 40 aircraft each. The Bf-109 was the main single-engine aircraft until the Fw-190 came along.

Walter Horten began his military career with III./JG 134 and in 1936 joined I./JG 26 as Geschwader Technical Officer. Walter Horten is probably best remembered for the Horten HO229 that he and his brother Reimer developed. Walter Horten often flew as wing man for Major Adolf Galland, Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG26. It wasn’t until August 1940 that Horten scored his first victory. Between August 28 and September 30 1940 Walter Horten scored his seven victories of WWII. At this time all Technical Officers were grounded and Horten became Hauptmann and Commander of III./JG 26.

Messerschmitt Bf-109E-3 Specifications Role - Fighter/Interceptor Performance Powerplant - 1 X Daimler-Benz DB-601A 12-Cylinder Inline Maximum Power - 924 hp Upgraded 1,070 hp Speed Maximum Stock - 545 km/h @ 5,000 m Upgraded - 594 km/h @ 5.000 m Service Ceiling - 11,000 m Rate of Climb Stock - 12.5 m/sec Upgraded - 25.1 m/sec Weight Empty - 2,025 kg Empty With Fuel - 2,328 kg Maximum Take-Off - 2,610 kg Armament Guns Wing Mounted - 2 X 20 mm MGFF Cannons W/60 RPG = 120 Total Guns Nose Mounted - 2 X 7.92 mm MG 17 Machine Guns W/1,000 RPG = 2,000 Total Bombs 4 X 50 kg SC50JA 1 X 250 kg SC250JA