Undoubtedly one of the most recognizable fighter aircraft in history alongside the Supermarine Spitfire and the P-51 Mustang, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 is as popular in plastic as in real life. There are almost certainly more kits and accessories of the Bf 109 across the full range of popular scales than any other modeling subject.<br><br>This second Bf 109 title in the Osprey Modeling series focuses on the Messerschmitt Bf 109F and early G models, the workhorses of the German Luftwaffe during mid World War II. <br><br>The Bf 109 F, <i>Friedrich</i>, was introduced in late 1940 to counter the increasing dominance of the Spitfire, and formed the backbone of the Luftwaffe during the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. The Bf 109G, <i>Gustav</i>, was introduced in early 1942, and became the most numerous of all the 109 variants, as well as arguably the most streamlined.<br><br>Detailing six different builds across the scales from 1/44 to 1/24, 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 modeler, on one of the most effective killing machines of World War II.