Operation Bodenplatte was a well meant but ill conceived plan to destroy Allied air craft on their landing fields. The plan was to have most of the remaining Luftwaffe Jagdwaffe pull a mass surprise attack on the morning of January 1, 1945. This was to cause havoc and eliminate Allied air power which was doing a great deal of damage to German forces during the Battle of the Bulge. Well as plans go, so did this one; awry, that is. Few fields were properly damaged and the losses of valuable Luftwaffe fighters was high. Many were either unable to find their targets, were shot down by friendly AA, or were late in arrival so met an alert and ready enemy.

This sheet covers several types used in that operation and along with the earlier sheet forms a very nice selection of late war Luftwaffe fighters.

First up are a pair of Bf-109K-4s from 9./JG 77. Both are in similar schemes of RLM 81/82 upper and differing shades of RLM 76 on the sides and underside. It has been determined that there was no RLM 84 as mentioned, but there were several different shades of RLM 76 produced late in the war. One of them was this greenish-hued version and another was extremely light in shade. Both of these planes were destroyed by friendly fire.

The FW-190A-8 is from 15./JG 54. It is in RLM 81/82/76 and has a blue tail band.

From 11./JG 54 comes this FW-190D-9. It is also in RLM 81/82/76 with a yellow rudder and yellow lower cowling. As with the previous 190, it did not return from its mission.

Finally a Me-262A-2a from 1./KG 51. Again it is in RLM 81/82/76 with heavy side mottling and a white nose and fin tip. You'll notice that this is an early 262 as it has the fin light built into the lower fin.

Quality kits for these aircraft are easy to find. Tamiya produces an FW-190D-9 and 262 kit, while Dragon has a very nice FW-190A-8 and 262. For the 190K-4, most will choose the newer Hasegawa kit for this aircraft.

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