Indian Bf109 , Any news ?
 

Hi,

Has there been any news on the fate of the Bf109 that was found in India last year ?

Alex

Re: Indian Bf109 , Any news ?
 

This was registered in the UK as G-CDTI on 12/12/05 to Rare Aerto Ltd, Jersey. It is a Bf 109E with c/n 4034 and serial 8.

Does anyone have the Stkz for this one please

Re: Indian Bf109 , Any news ?
 

Serial 8? Do you mean tactical number? That is 'Black 6'.

Dave

Re: Indian Bf109 , Any news ?
 

Dave

Not the tactical number, the Stkz.

More info from LAAS Avaiation News and Review

The a/c is believed to have made a belly landing near Canterbury, Kent following engine trouble on 2/11/40. Having survived the forced landing in a virtually intact condition it is assumed that the a/c was gifted by one of the RAF's presentation squadrons to thw Nizam of Hyberbad. The Nizam had paid for No. 152 and 253 Squadrons which flew and fought in the BoB. In recent years the 109 was displayed in the Poojya Doddappa Appa College of Engineering in Gulbarga, India in a dlilapidated state and was said to be on its way to a scrap dealer. The a/c was instead shipped to the UK and will undergo restoration to flying condition.

Tony

Re: Indian Bf109 , Any news ?
 

Hi,

Yes so it seems, 2nd November 1940.
Fw. X. Ray taken POW after combat with 74 and 92 Sqdns around 9 a.m.
Came down at Lower Hardres, Kent.

Alex

Re: Indian Bf109 , Any news ?
 

Just a bit more. According to "Battle of Britain. The forgotten months" by John Foreman, Fw Xaver Ray was a member of 8/JG 53, and his a/c was a 109E1. In one place in the book Foreman notes the landing location as Lower Herdres, Kent; and in another, he spells it Lower Hardres, Kent. Perhaps a local can provide the correct spelling.

Re: Indian Bf109 , Any news ?
 

George

Lower Hardres is in Kent, there is no Lower Herdres anywhere in England

Tony

Re: Indian Bf109 , Any news ?
 

Thank you, Tony.
George

Re: Indian Bf109 , Any news ?
 

Hi,

Thanks .

In Froemans defence I expect the spelling error refered to, to be printers error.

Alex

Re: Indian Bf109 , Any news ?
 

Tony , what is the reference to serial '8' in your post?
There is a good deal of photo and research material on the '109 Lair' site.

regards
Dave