Noted Luftwaffe historians Jochen Prien and Peter Rodeike present in this brand new book the Messerschmitt BF 109F, G and K models. Over 500 photos - most never published and some in rare color - superb line schemes, and detailed text show the late model "109s" development into the superb fighter of legend. Among the details presented are units which used the F, G and K, production numbers, prototypes, unusual markings and camouflage. \nJochen Prien is the author of a three volume study of JG 53 "Pik As." Jochen Prien and Peter Rodeike are renowned historians on the BF 109 and FW 190 and the units that flew them.

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is one of the most recognizable fighter aircraft in history, and this book focuses on the Messerschmitt Bf 109F and early G models – the Friedrich and Gustav – the workhorses of the German Luftwaffe during the middle years of World War II. Detailing five different builds across the scales, and featuring aircraft in camouflage schemes and markings from the Western Desert to the Russian Steppes, this book is an excellent source of reference for both the beginner and expert modeller, on one of the most effective killing machines of World War II.

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was one of the truly world class piston-engined fighters of World War II. This reputation rests largely with the E and F variants, which bore the brunt of the Luftwaffe's most important operations in World War II and shot down tens of thousands of Allied aircraft in the Battle of Britain, the Blitzkriegs across Europe and on the Eastern Front. This volume looks at the design and development history of these formidable warplanes, with a meticulous technical focus to reveal why the types were so effective. It explores the long process of tweaks to the E variant, and solutions to the many initial technical problems with the F, and how this development helped Willy Messerschmitt's promising Bf 109 design mature and fulfil its potential.

An invaluable modelers guide to the Bf 109 G and K variations When the Bf 109 was first designed in 1934, by a team led by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser, its primary role was that of a high-speed, short range bomber interceptor. The Bf 109 was also designed to take advantage of the most advanced aerodynamics of the time and embodied structural techniques which were an advance on its contemporaries. In the years of the Blitzkrieg, the Bf 109 was the only single engined fighter operated by the Luftwaffe, until the appearance of the Fw 190. The G series, or "Gustav," was introduced in mid-1942; its initial variants (G-1 through G-4) differed only in minor details from the Bf 109F, most notably in being powered by the more powerful 1475 PS DB 605 engine. The final production version of the Bf 109 was the K series, or "Kurfurst," powered by the DB 605D engine with up to 2,000 PS output, and introduced in the autumn of 1944. Though externally akin to the late production Bf 109G series, a large number of detail internal and aerodynamic improvements were incorporated to the design that improved its effectiveness and remedied existing flaws, keeping the fighter competitive with the latest Allied and Soviet fighters.

From the nascent days of the Spanish Civil War to the desperate, final defence of the stricken Reich, the Messerchmitt Bf 109 was the Luftwaffe's signature fighter. From the very beginning of its combat career it came to symbolize what could be achieved with a modern monoplane fighter aircraft, instilling fear and respect into Allied pilots wherever it was encountered. 35,000 of the ubiquitous Messerschmitts were eventually built, making it the most-produced fighter in history. This is the first Air Vanguard volume to cover the Bf 109, detailing models A–D. Featuring stunning aerial photos the title explores in depth the technical characteristics and combat performance of the early Bf 109s, including their combat debut in the Spanish Civil War, their employment in the invasion of Poland and showing how the type became one of the most famous names in aviation history.