The Messerchmitt Bf109 was (with the Focke Wulf Fw190) the backbone of the Luftwaffe’s fighter force during World War II.

They entered service in 1937 and served to the end of the war in a series of an increasingly powerful versions. Almost 34,000 were made.

This aircraft was flown by Oberleutnant (later Major) Horst Carganico in Jagdgeschwader 5, II/JG 5 ‘Eismeer’, Alakurtti and Petsamo in Finland in March 1944.

It has personal Mickey Mouse emblems on both sides of fuselage in lieu of chevron or tactical number. The figure is holding shoes with dates representing both times Carganico walked out after coming down behind enemy lines.

The aircraft had patchy deteriorating dirty white snow based paint with random overspray covering the national markings along with mud adding to the weathered look.

Hasegawa 1/32 kit with EagleCals #42 decals, Eduard aftermarket instrument panel and modified seatbelts painted in SMS lacquers with MIG and AK pigments and washes. Completed by Wayne in 2021.