Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum - Hptm. Rolf Pringel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Saunders (Post 108412)

And here is the Messerschmitt data plate from the tailfin of Rolf Pingel's 109F, together with a photo of actual plate in situ.

Again, not the aircraft Werke Nummer.

Does anyone know the relevance of the W.Nr shown here and how it might relate in any way to the airframe W.Nr?

That is a very nice one Andy!

My take on this type of tail plate - I have seen at least three others in collections - is that the W.Nr. corresponds to that particular vertical stabilizer assembly made by Arado; i.e., it's not the main airframe number. These plates can be spotted in period photos of early 109 F-series 109s, but I believe that only Arado fitted the production plate in this location. Its eye-level position made it easy to spot and remove from abandoned/captured machines (nice war souvenir), and, in the case of a crash, aft placement made it more likely to survive, still attached to part of the (damaged/separated) tail.

Thanks for posting the photo . . .