{"product_id":"tamiya-1-72-messerschmitt-bfl09-e-4-7-t","title":"Tamiya 1\/72 Messerschmitt BFL09 E-4\/7 T","description":"\u003cp\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\/p\u003e","brand":"Tamiya","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41886102028351,"sku":"TAM-60755","price":18.45,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0269\/7461\/7663\/files\/98d6488ee4b0832e88db08103885da34_400x_0eb4c68c-de02-4742-a7f4-424c09cca1d5.jpg?v=1752716007","url":"https:\/\/factorydirecthobbies.com\/products\/tamiya-1-72-messerschmitt-bfl09-e-4-7-t","provider":"Factory Direct Hobbies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}