Re: 109 PANEL/SEAM LINES
 

Agh Mike, look at the bottom right of the pic you posted. There is certainly not any overlap.

Re: 109 PANEL/SEAM LINES
 

Look at the front panel in the upper left-hand corner. ;) You can see there are rivets on one side only...showing they were overlapping. This was on all panel of the Me109...

here is a close-up.

http://www.geocities.com/mr-bigg@sbc...t/DSCN8109.JPG

Re: 109 PANEL/SEAM LINES
 

Yes, Harrison, that was one of the ways Mtt made his products so aerodynamic. He had one one flat panel; and then he would have 2 panels with bulkheads molded in, and with a skin depth recess at either end, which were riveted to the flat panel's ends. Therefore, overlap, but with only one line of rivets. Below is a drawing of the fuselage joining I mentioned above. It's from the Bf 109 C/D handbook.

Great photo, Harrison!

PS. As Artie noted, there was butt-joint riveting at the top and bottom of the fuselage because that's where the two fuselage halves were brought together

I apologize for the double posting.

All the best,
George

Re: 109 PANEL/SEAM LINES
 

All panels certainly did not overlap. The lower right in the photo shows a butt joint.

Re: 109 PANEL/SEAM LINES
 

Kutscha...you are looking at the BOTTOM FUSELAGE of the Me109.

The fuselage was skinned in 2 halves...both halves joined at the top and at the bottom (what you are referring to in the photo). No overlapping was done on the top and bottom seam, however they overlapped on all sides. Section 3 overlapped 2 and 4...section 5 overlapped 4 and 6, etc.

Please reference Georges photo... ;)

Mike

Re: 109 PANEL/SEAM LINES
 

Here's a couple pics,

Re: 109 PANEL/SEAM LINES
 

Boy, those photos really show how tight fitting those joints could be -- probably a bit better than wartime quality, but wonderful work!

Re: 109 PANEL/SEAM LINES
 

There was overlap according to factory blueprints. 22 mm. Same was with a seam as fuselage consisted of two halves.

Depending on quality sometimes it's hardly seen, but sometimes (Lutzow's mount filled with putty) it could be noticed.

Re: 109 PANEL/SEAM LINES
 

Hi all

Two photos of Bf109 E-1/E-7 3523 CS+AJ in the UK in 2004. Lost in 1942 with JG5. Built 1939 it was overhauled in late 1941 (paint strip back and factory repairs before desert colours applied). These joints are pretty tight. I think even a primer and top coat would basically fill it. Saw no evidence of filler.

regards

Mark