Revell Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a of Oberstleutnant Heinz Bär in 1/72 Scale

Heinz “Pritzl” Bär was one of the “old hares” of the Luftwaffe, flying from the beginning of the war until the end.  He fought in all the major battles of the Luftwaffe – France, the Battle of Britain, the invasion of the Soviet Union, North Africa, and the Defense of the Reich.  He was credited with 220 victories (with several others going unrecognized).  These included 124 victories against the Western Allies, and was the second-highest scoring jet Experten with 16.  He flew more than 1,000 missions.  He was himself shot down eighteen times and wounded three, but always made it back to German lines.  He did have an insubordinate streak which sometimes put him in disfavor with his superiors, including Hermann Göring.

He favored the “unlucky” number 13 for his aircraft, “Red 13” was his mount while with III./EJG 2 at Lechfeld in March 1945.