A Higher Call - Franz Stigler Bf 109 G-6 (Eduard, 1/48)
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 4:30 pm
Wanting to do this build for over a year now, ever since i finished reading the book A Higher Call by Adam Makos.
I could write pages telling you how amazing this story is, and how it stuck with an old WWII nut like me.
But I will not, however I cannot recommend this book enough!
(A Movie is in the making!!! Cant wait
)
The book
About the story:
[youtube]_8EkmyoG83Q[/youtube]
Very nice in depth clip:
[youtube]FGzpENdbOg0[/youtube]
About Franz Stigler and his amazing career and life:
Franz Stigler started flying gliders at age 12 and soloed in a bi-plane in 1933. He joined Lufthansa, becoming an Airline Captain, before joining the Luftwaffe in 1940. There, he became an instructor pilot, with one of his students being Gerhard Barkhorn, who would later become the second highest scoring Ace in history with over 300 victories.
Franz transferred to Bf 109 fighter aircraft upon learning of the loss of his brother August, who died piloting a bomber shot down over the English Channel. Franz flew combat in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Western Europe. He served as a Squadron Commander of three squadrons (Numbers 6, 8, and 12, of JG 27) and twice a Wing Commander, all flying Bf 109 fighters.
Franz formed EJG-1, possibly the first ever pre-jet training squadron before being hand picked as the Technical Officer of Gen. Adolf Galland's elite JV 44, "Squadron of Experts," flying the Me-262 jet.
Franz was credited with 28 confirmed victories and over thirty probables. He flew 487 combat missions, was wounded four times, and was shot down seventeen times, four by enemy fighters, four by ground fire, and nine times by gunners on American bombers. He bailed out six times and rode his damaged aircraft down eleven times.
He emigrated to Canada in 1953 and became a successful businessman. In addition to his many Luftwaffe decorations, Franz was presented with the "Order of the Star of Peace" by the Federation of Combattant Allies En Europe for his act of compassion on December 20, 1943. He is believed to be the only Luftwaffe pilot to be so recognized. Franz was also made an honorary member of the 379th Bomb Group Association. Franz, died in 2008 at the age of 93.
Franz bf 109 G-6 and Charlie Browns B-17 "Ye Olde Pub" on December 20, 1943
Next, the kit and extras...
I could write pages telling you how amazing this story is, and how it stuck with an old WWII nut like me.
But I will not, however I cannot recommend this book enough!
(A Movie is in the making!!! Cant wait
)The book
About the story:
[youtube]_8EkmyoG83Q[/youtube]
Very nice in depth clip:
[youtube]FGzpENdbOg0[/youtube]
About Franz Stigler and his amazing career and life:
Franz Stigler started flying gliders at age 12 and soloed in a bi-plane in 1933. He joined Lufthansa, becoming an Airline Captain, before joining the Luftwaffe in 1940. There, he became an instructor pilot, with one of his students being Gerhard Barkhorn, who would later become the second highest scoring Ace in history with over 300 victories.
Franz transferred to Bf 109 fighter aircraft upon learning of the loss of his brother August, who died piloting a bomber shot down over the English Channel. Franz flew combat in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Western Europe. He served as a Squadron Commander of three squadrons (Numbers 6, 8, and 12, of JG 27) and twice a Wing Commander, all flying Bf 109 fighters.
Franz formed EJG-1, possibly the first ever pre-jet training squadron before being hand picked as the Technical Officer of Gen. Adolf Galland's elite JV 44, "Squadron of Experts," flying the Me-262 jet.
Franz was credited with 28 confirmed victories and over thirty probables. He flew 487 combat missions, was wounded four times, and was shot down seventeen times, four by enemy fighters, four by ground fire, and nine times by gunners on American bombers. He bailed out six times and rode his damaged aircraft down eleven times.
He emigrated to Canada in 1953 and became a successful businessman. In addition to his many Luftwaffe decorations, Franz was presented with the "Order of the Star of Peace" by the Federation of Combattant Allies En Europe for his act of compassion on December 20, 1943. He is believed to be the only Luftwaffe pilot to be so recognized. Franz was also made an honorary member of the 379th Bomb Group Association. Franz, died in 2008 at the age of 93.
Franz bf 109 G-6 and Charlie Browns B-17 "Ye Olde Pub" on December 20, 1943
Next, the kit and extras...
just goes to show that even in the darkest times a little bit of humanity can shine. Hopefully the movie will do the story justice, I saw a documentary on it but I might have to give the book a read 