Numerically the most abundant fighter produced by either side during WWII, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 formed the backbone of the Jagdwaffe on both the eastern and western fronts, as well as in the Mediterranean and North Africa. Of the eight distinct sub-types within the huge Bf 109 family, the most populous was the G-model, of which over 30,000 were built between 1941-45. Despite its production run, only a handful of genuine German Bf 109s have survived into the 1990s, and with the serious damaging of the RAFs G-2 at Duxford in October 1997, only the German-based MBB G-6 and Hans Ditte's G-10 (both composites) are currently airworthy.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a German Messerschmitt Bf 109E fighter that was piloted by Hauptmann Wolfgang Lippert, who was attached to II./Jagdgeschwader 27 "Afrika", during 1940. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 5-1/4-inches
Length: 5-inches

Release Date: June 2011

Historical Account: "Spain Onwards" - Wolfgang Lippert was born on September 14th, 1914, at Fraureuth in the Werdau region of Sachsen. He joined the Luftwaffe and, following fighter pilot training, was posted to I./JG 134 'Horst Wessel'. On March 15th, 1937, Oberleutnant Lippert was transferred, as a founding member, to I./JG 53 based at Wiesbaden-Erbenheim. Lippert gained his first aerial victories during the Spanish Civil War flying with the Condor Legion. Leutnant Lippert was assigned to 3. Staffel of J 88. He amassed five victories in this conflict between the middle of 1938 and March 1939, receiving the award of the Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwerten. Following his return to Germany, Lippert was appointed Staffelkapitan of 3./JG 53 on May 1st, 1939. He led the unit during the French campaign. He claimed his first victory of World War II on September 30th, 1939, when he shot down a French Morane fighter in the Wissembourg area. Hauptmann Lippert was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 27 on September 4th, 1940. He gained five victories with the unit over England during the Battle of Britain, all RAF fighters. He was awarded the Ritterkreuz on September 24th after 13 victories gained in World War II.

Lippert was to lead II./JG 27 in the invasion of Russia, after a brief sojourn in the Balkans. Lippert had compiled 25 victories, including his Spanish Civil War victories, by the time the Gruppe was relocated to North Africa at the end of September 1941. He claimed two RAF P-40 fighters and a Wellington twin-engine bomber shot down on November 22nd to record his 27th through 29th victories. On November 23rd, 1941, after shooting down a RAF Hurricane fighter, Lippert's Bf 109 F-4 (W.Nr. 8469) was hit in the engine while engaged with Curtiss P-40s and Blenheim bombers. In baling out of his stricken aircraft, he broke both his legs when he struck the vertical stabilizer. He landed behind British lines, was captured and taken to a hospital in Egypt. Both legs became infected and required amputation. He died from an embolism after the operation without regaining consciousness. Some sources indicate that Lippert was shot down by the Australian ace Clive Caldwell (28.5 confirmed, 6 probable and 15 damaged victories) of 250 Sqn, RAF.

Wolfgang Lippert was credited with 30 victories. His score included five victories gained during the Spanish Civil War and four victories claimed over the Eastern front.