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Jeff Groves
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Eduard Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2/R2 “Irmgard” of the 79th Fighter Group

June 25, 2024 · in Aviation · · 10 · 411

“Irmgard” was originally Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2/R3 Trop W.Nr. 10605 assigned to 2.(H)/14. She was brought down by ground fire near Zaris, Tunisia on 20FEB43 while on a reconnaissance mission. Her pilot, a Leutnant Wernicke, successfully evaded capture.

Irmgard was passed to the 86th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group. The 79th had a penchant for operating captured Axis aircraft, and they soon had restored her to airworthy condition. She was repainted in U.S. markings with high-visibility yellow undersides. Photographs show she was often flown by her new owners minus her canopy. Photographs of Irmgard here:

Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2/R2 “Irmgard” of the 79th Fighter Group, Zarzis, Tunisia, Spring 1943. Eduard kit, decals are Exotic Decals from Poland.

Reader reactions:
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10 additional images. Click to enlarge.


10 responses

  1. Well done, Jeff. Like the varied scheme. Stands out from the camo 109 schemes.

  2. Great looking build Jeff, @inchhigh, you did a great job on capturing the new scheme. I really like the unusual scheme for the 109 vs the standard camo. I am always looking for something oddball and I had this bird in the Hobby Craft offering in 1/48th scale. A super glue mishap had me building the bird using a Hasegawa kit. I like yours alot, you can see mine here. Always fun to see two or more modelers building the exact same plane to see how they see it and build it.

  3. Well done - an interesting subject.

  4. That's very cool jeff - well done on great research, finding the decals to match and recreating this aircraft. Surely a unique build?

  5. Excellent result and a really nice chosen scheme, Jeff!

  6. Really nice scheme and perfectly applied, Jeff @inchhigh
    Well done.

  7. Very cool 😎 very colourful. Fantastic job Jeff.

  8. Oh yeah - going to duplicate that build! Got lots of 109's waiting for interesting schemes. Yours looks fantastic.

  9. Thanks for all the kind word, guys!

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