1/48 Eduard Bf 109G-2 trop, Flown by Maj. Heinz Bär, CO of I./JG 77, Comiso airfield, Italy, September, 1942.

Heinz Bär is credited with 221 aerial victories, including 16 achieved flying the Me 262 jet fighter, ranking him in eighth place among German WW2 fighter aces. As a fighter pilot, he entered combat in September 1939 and downed his first victim over the French – German border. Progressively Bär fought in the Battle of Britain, over the Eastern Front, in the Mediterranean and took part in the defense of the Third Reich. He commanded I./JG 77 from May 1942 to the end of July, 1943 when he left JG 77 after disagreements with Hermann Göring. Note the city of Leipzig badge under the canopy. The city of Leipzig was in touch with Bär´s I./JG 77 and the Leipzig zoo presented the lion cub to the members of the unit. The unusual pet was depicted on Bär´s personal aircraft as well.