{"product_id":"messerschmitt-bf109-e-4-7-trop-1-72","title":"Messerschmitt Bf109 E-4\/7 Trop 1:72","description":"\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDuring the first half of the Second World War, the Messerschmitt Bf109 E was the main fighter of the German airforce. The E-4 housed a 1,100hp Daimler Benz DB 601Aa engine and was armed with two 7.92mm machine guns on the nose, as well as a 20mm cannon on each wing. For some aircraft, bullet-proof glass was used to reinforce the front of the canopy. In addition, a 20mm canon, which ran through a tube in the propeller was supposed to be installed but was unsuccessful. Displaying superb acceleration and diving ability, the E-type planes overpowered the RAF's Hawker hurricane and equaled the Spitfire fighters in the Battle of Britain. However, with a flight range of only 560km, the E-4 planes were limited to just fifteen minutes of combat over British skies. Thus, the bombers were not given sufficient support and sustained heavy damage. As a result, the Luftwaffe's strategy to bomb England into surrender ended in failure. To deal with this drawback, the E-4 planes were equipped with additional 300L fuel tank. These improved fighters, called E-7, were first deployed at the end of 1940. After the Battle of Britain, the E-4\/7 planes were sent to the front lines of Northern Africa. As the Bf109 F-type fighter's production was advanced, the E-4\/7 was retired from the front lines. However, some veteran pilots continued to use the E-4\/7 mainly for ground support duty until the summer of 1942.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Tamiya","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43039818121393,"sku":"TAM60755","price":14.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0535\/0886\/6225\/files\/719B2SuASEL._AC_SL1500.jpg?v=1698768732","url":"https:\/\/modellersden.myshopify.com\/products\/messerschmitt-bf109-e-4-7-trop-1-72","provider":"The Modellers Den","version":"1.0","type":"link"}