Hans-Joachim Marseille flew this aircraft from August 24th, 1942 to September 25th, 1942, after his return from Rome. Flying this plane he was credited with 49 shot downs of Allied forces’ aircraft; this aircraft was the last “Friedrich” he used. On September 30th, 1942 piloting Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2/Trop he lead 3rd Staffel during the escort of Stuka Staffel. His cockpit filled up with smoke upon his return to the base and he was forced to catapult himself. His attempt was unsuccessful, during his catapult he hit the rudder of his aircraft, consequently he lost consciousness, his parachute then failed to open and the fall to the ground became fatal for him. After Marseille’s death, W. Nr. 8673, served at 1./ SG 2 where it got lost after being hit by flak south of El Alamein on October 22th, 1942. This aircraft is painted RLM 79 on the upper sides and all over the sides of the fuselage, this was an irregularity. The undersides were camouflaged by RLM 78. The camouflage was complemented by the marking of the aircraft flying in the Southern Front – white wingtips, white propeller spinner and white band on the tail of the aircraft.
1/48 Eduard, Bf 109F-4/Trop, W. Nr. 8673, flown by Hptm. Hans-Joachim Marseille, CO of 3./ JG 27, Quotaifiya, Egypt, September 1942
1/48 Eduard, Bf 109F-4/Trop, W. Nr. 8673, flown by Hptm. Hans-Joachim Marseille, CO of 3./ JG 27, Quotaifiya, Egypt, September 1942.