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ICM 1/48 Messerschmitt Bf.109 F4 Sciacca Friedrick by Luca Bossi |
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With the introduction of the F-4, the "Friedrick" series finally reached its development apogee-what it was intended to be from the beginning. It was powered by the powerful DB 601 E engine mounting the MG 151/20MM cannon. The pair of cowl mounted MG 17s together with the MG 151 firing through the propeller hub meant a great deal of centrally located fire power, which even a novice pilot could often wield effectively. Pilot protection was increased with the addition of a 6MM armor plate behind and above the pilot's head. Since the F-series airframe had been designed around the DB 601 E powerplant there were few distinguishing differences between the F-4 and its predecessors. The larger supercharger intake of the F-2Z series became standard as did the external armored windscreen which was often retro-fitted to earlier models. The F-4 became the most numerous of all F types and soldiered on until 1943. It was used by virtually every Luftwaffe unit and many Aces were made on the Eastern Front in the F-4. In spite of its relatively short life when compared to the E and the later G series, the F was considered by many to be the best Bf 109 of all, and the F-4 to be the best of the F series. In order to increase the versatility of the fighter in the field, a series of bolt-en conversion kits were designed that would quickly and easily change the performance of the F-4 to meet local demands. Under the designation Rustsatze (field conversion sets), the following were available for the F-4:
R-1 MG 151/20MM cannon under each wing The Regia Aeronautca received 15 F-4 models. Deliveries began on April 19, 1943. The planes were older machines built in 1941 and were mostly drawn from German units deployed in Greece. The planes were assigned to 363a Squadriglia, 150o Gruppo Autonomo based at Sciacca, Sicily in May-June 1943 (this unit was also equipped with the Bf.109G) and were used primarily for training. References [1] Beaman Jr., J. R. and Greer D., "Messerschmitt Bf.109 in action, Part 2", Squadron Signal Publications, Aircraft Number 57, 1983 [2] Alegi G. and Gueli M., "Ali Straniere in Italia, Messerschmitt Bf.109 Italiani", La Bancarella Aeronautica, Torino, 2002 |
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This is the ICM 1/48 ME 109F-2 48803. The plane modeled is one of only 15 Me 109 F received by the Regia Aeronautica. The aircraft shown is a Me 109 F4 of 363a Squadriglia of the 150 Gruppo Autonomo located in Sciacca in May/June 1943.
The camouflage is the standard German RLM 78/79 one with the probable use of the Italian blue gray GAC1 to cancel the insignia on the fuselage and on the wings and reduce the color separation on the fuselage. References - Ali straniere in Italia - Messerschmitt 109 – pg. 5;7 - La Bancarella Aeronautica. - Dimensione Cielo n.3 – Edizioni Bizzarri. - Nei cieli di Guerra . La regia Aeronautica a Colori – pg 89;91. - Aviazione italiana . La guerra in Italia. pg 23. Albertelli Editore |
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Aircraft: Messerschmitt Bf.109F2 Manufacturer: Messerschmitt A. G. Type: Fighter Year: 1941 Engine: Damiler Benz DB 601N, 12-cylinder V, liquid-cooled 1,200 hp Wingspan: 32 ft 6 in (9.90 m) Length: 29 ft (8.84 m) Height: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) Weight: 6,173 lb (2,800 kg) (Loaded) Maximum Speed: 373 mph (600 km/h) at 19,685 ft (6,000 m) Ceiling: 36,000 ft (10,970 m) Range: 440 miles (708 km) Armament: 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 MGs, 1 x MG 151/15mm cannon Crew: 1 |
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