Re: Messerschmitt 109 Data Plate
 

Not found any yet.....but how about an Arado 500? Now.....THAT will get you all talking :-)

Re: Messerschmitt 109 Data Plate
 

This plane has been transfered in Afrika in sept.42...

Re: Messerschmitt 109 Data Plate
 

Who will be the first to tell who flew the 14256...

Re: Messerschmitt 109 Data Plate
 

Marseille

;)

Re: Messerschmitt 109 Data Plate
 

This item can now be seen elsewhere on the internet!

Re: Messerschmitt 109 Data Plate
 

Does anyone know if the wreckage of H-J M's 109 was ever found/examined/reported on by Allied forces after the Germans finally left the area? If so, are any reports known about?

Re: Messerschmitt 109 Data Plate
 

Hello,
The 8. prefix isn't for an aircraft element? (same as the 9. its for engine elements...) Too small and concise plate for a plane WNr. one, IMHO.

Reciently I saw around many of such plates including some from italian machines (Caproni, Breda, Savoia). Some had indications on litres that suggest element plates from reservoirs or so. The personel who collected these items did not make distintions.

Regards
Fran

Re: Messerschmitt 109 Data Plate
 

Small data plates like this certainly appeared in profusion across, for example, Me 109, Me 110 airframes etc. Often, but not always, they were stamped with the airframe Werke Nummer. However, they should not alone be considered as proof of the actual airframe identity as these plates were clearly mixed and matched. I know of several Battle of Britain Me 109's wrecks where the "wrong" W.Nr has turned up on such tags. Equally, I know several wrecks where multiples of these plates have been found - all bearing the correct W.Nr for that airframe. Certainly, they should not to be considered to be the main data/constructors plate which was a much larger beast. On the 109 this was generally fixed port front side of fuselage, above wing root area. You are correct that 8 = airframe type, 9 = engine or an ancillary part thereof.

Re: Messerschmitt 109 Data Plate
 

Hi Fran!

You are incorrect in your conclusion.

The 8-serial is for the airframe. I have found NUMEROUS main data plates with the 8-serial. All Me109G-10 main data plate (for example), had an 8- serial.

Mike

Re: Messerschmitt 109 Data Plate
 

As one who has handled a few plates over the years, I can say that Andy got it just right. His experience and observations match mine to the letter. Main plates (i.e., on 109s) were all in that general vicinity (i.e., fuselage left side, rear of engine cowling/below cockpit sill) - several specific locations were used by subtype (i.e., E, F, G) and maker. Also, as the war wore on and later subtypes entered use, main plates decreased in size and became square- rather than rectangle-shaped.