Croatian Air Legion
Bf 109 G-6 on the Eastern Front
15 (Kroat)./JG 52

Delta One, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Brad Fallen

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This 1/32 release from Delta One features seven Bf 109 G-6s flown by the highly successful Croatian Air Force Legion in late 1943 and early 1944. The Legion's fighter arm had operated as 15 (Kroat)./JG 52 in support of Luftwaffe operations since late 1941, destroying nearly 300 Soviet aircraft and producing 14 aces in the process. In late 1943, after bitter and costly fighting on Crimea’s Kerch Peninsula, the Legion was transferred home to defence Croatian airspace against Allied attacks.

All of the Bf 109s here were based at Karankut or Bagerovo airfields on the Kerch Peninsula.  They were finished in standard mid-war Luftwaffe fighter camouflage of RLM 74 Grey-Green and RLM 75 Grey-Violet over RLM 76 Light Blue, with RLM 4 Yellow theatre identification markings on the lower wingtips, engine cowl and rear fuselage. All had their landing gear covers removed, probably to help cope with poor airfield conditions.

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Details are as follows:

1. 'Black 1/Chevron'/W.Nr. unknown, flown by Oberleutnant Mato Dukovac, CO 15./JG 52, Karankut airfield.

2. 'Red 9'/W.Nr.19680, flown by Feldwebel Eduard Martinko, Bagerovo airfield.

3. 'White 6' (or possibly, but less likely, 3, 8 or 9)/W.Nr.20039, flown by Unteroffizier Vladimir Salomon, Bagerovo airfield.

4. 'Black 5'/W.Nr.15770, flown by Unteroffizier Albin Sval, Karankut airfield. According to the instructions, this aircraft was likely manufactured as a Bf 109 G-5 before being upgraded to G-6 standard at the Erla factory in Leipzig.

5. 'White 13'/W.Nr.18497, flown by Stabsfeldwebel Zdenko Avdic, who claimed his last of ten victories in this machine on 21 November 1943 before being badly wounded in the same action.

6. 'White 5'/W.Nr. unknown, flown by Unteroffizier Josip Kranjc (nine victories).

7. 'White 7' (unconfirmed)/W.Nr.19475, in which seven-victory ace Unteroffizier Dragutin Gazapi who was shot down and killed on 27 November 1943.

The decals are well printed with no colour bleeding or misregistration. 

Three different versions of the Legion badge are included, along with a white backing decal to ensure colour density.  The Hakenkreuz (two versions of which are provided) are split diagonally and will require careful alignment.  Most of the aircraft number decals have large amounts of carrier film, which it will pay to trim before applying the decals to a very glossy surface.

Balkenkreuz are not included and will need to be sourced from kit decals or elsewhere.

Delta One instructions are always comprehensive, and these are no exception.  There are full colour port, starboard and overhead views of each aircraft, along with a scrap drawing of the lower port wing.  The illustrations are complemented by a brief description of the subject, and there is a full page of instructions for applying the decals.

Another canny subject choice by Delta One, ‘Croation Air Legion’ should be of great interest to Luftwaffe modellers who like slightly out-of-the-ordinary subjects.  The decals and instructions are both top notch, and I’m looking forward to seeing more interesting releases from this manufacturer. 

Highly recommended.

Text and Images Copyright © 2016 by Brad Fallen
This Page Created on 22 February, 2016
Last updated 25 February, 2016

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