Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

Hello to all,

I just found this very interesting Corbis picture of a Soviet officer settling in the cockpit of an Bf 109 G-6:

http://pro.corbis.com/Search/SearchR...003104&ac=null

The photo shot by Yevegueni Khaldei in 1945 near Berlin shows dozens of other Bf 109 G's in the background, devoid of any unit markings. The only readable Werknummer reads 760070 which points on a Györ produced Bf 109. Can anybody else provide more details on the location? How many planes were produced by the Györ factory in Hungary?

Cheers
Marc

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

Hi Marc,

not a 100 percent certain, but from other photos I have seen of a VERY similar group of aircraft, the airfield should be Berlin-Johannisthal, were the Bücker aircraft company and DVL (Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Luftfahrt) was located. Maybe this is a hint?

Cheers,
Christian

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

Hi Christian,

Thanks for your information, it might shed more light on this intriguing picture. The fact that no plane shows any form of unit markings could support your location proposal. Another puzzling fact is that all identified Bf 109 G's are either G-6 or G-14 subtypes. Not a single G-6/AS, G-14/AS, G-10 or K-4 can be seen. Was Berlin-Johannistal a place for refurbishing older airframes?

Cheers
Marc

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

The camoflage doesn't correspond to any of the usual camo-patterns so they seem to have undergone considerable re-paint...

All aircraft have tailfins with a very special mottle that I've only seen once before, in a photo from a workshop. The photo is in Luftwaffe camoflage and markings by Ken Merrick and the caption says it's from a facility found in February 1945 during the advance on the second Belorussian front. No further detail is given.

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

On the Gustav at right, I see the 'white cross in black square' type marking of the Royal Hungarian Air Force.
A larger resolution photo would be nice to see if there is any individual numeral on that particular aircraft...

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

Draga Dénes, szokszor köszönöm!

Thanks dear Dénes, for your input. I tried to blow up as much as I could the low-res picture, but could not see any Gustav with RHAF type cross. Which plane do you mean?

Cpt_Farrel,

Thanks for your lead. Could this be a repair facility in Hungary, even in Györ itself?

Cheers
Marc

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

Hello All

Many thanks Marc!
I don't see any Hungarian cross?? But there is another WNr. on the picture; right in the first G-6 antenna loop. Somebody with a piercing eye may be??

Now here is a choice of the same photographer pictures, not only LW planes but not bad too:
http://pro.corbis.com/images/YK00177...7-5647cf9e5ad1
http://pro.corbis.com/images/YK00372...b-983ce36fdaf4
http://pro.corbis.com/images/YK00318...4-104d9bb04d78
http://pro.corbis.com/images/YK00244...0-1f5fb64e2ccb Dénes will appreciate!
http://pro.corbis.com/images/YK00243...7-5c344ac3b4a2
http://pro.corbis.com/images/YK00234...e-4b08212602e1
http://pro.corbis.com/images/YK00233...a-d436b83bfe8d
http://pro.corbis.com/images/YK00186...0-775f87d433b2
http://pro.corbis.com/images/YK00185...2-eb886877f3c2
http://pro.corbis.com/images/YK00185...8-21740310a50f
http://pro.corbis.com/images/YK00184...0-83a5642f5293
http://pro.corbis.com/images/YK00177...8-c4622b939adf Not exactly the same..

Cheers,
Franck.

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

Salut Franck,

Thanks for your fine choice of pics from Yevegueny Khaldei. How can you obtain links for the slightly more high-res links. Do you have to be registered?

As for the other Wnr to be seen framed by the D/F loop of the machine in the front, I blew the pic up to 1000%; I could almost see the numbers 4x8735, but I will never swear on it!

Cheers
Marc

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

Bonjour mon Cher,

Yes I did it just because I'm curious... You have to put a name in the "company" window. After that you have access to the same picture without the Corbis logo. Last they give you a link to the next Corbis delegate near your home and, thanks who you want, it's just by me in Matosinhos, 10km from home! I will try tomorrow monday.

Cheers,
Franck.

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

Merci beaucoup!

Cheers
Marc

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

I meant this:
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/418...ungarybuil.jpg

However, at a closer look it might just be that the simplified white German cross is visible.

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

Another picture of the W.Nr.760070 you find in "Under the red Star" by C.-F. Geust on page 98. Then I have an picture of this place published in the former GDR magazine "Neue Berliner Illustrierte" ... and there you can see that the "Hungarian Cross" is indeed an simplified German cross. The location was given there as Berlin - Johannisthal.

Best wishes
Rasmussen

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

Indeed, it appears to be the same site.
You have very good eyes, Rasmussen! I would have never guessed it.

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

Steve,

I strained my eyes again and am concurring for your W.Nr proposal: 4?0735. Given those numerals, the only possible production batch for the G-6 subtype is in the 410'000 - 411'000 range, built by Erla.

Rasmussen,

Thanks for your information, you make my day. Any chance to scan this second picture as I do not have "Under the red Star" by C.-F. Geust?

Cheers
Marc

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

It could also be from WNF 440'000 range. Considering the different wrk.nr ranges it just have to be an advanced repairfacility. The aircraft seem to have been re-fitted with tall tails and repainted as they seem to have uniform paintjobs and a uniform style for the Wrk.Nr'n even though the Wrk.Nr'n are from different ranges and factories.

I don't have any closer location than what was written in the book and cited earlier, sorry.

Cheers! / Anders

Re: Györ-built Bf 109 G-6 picture
 

Hi Anders,

You're of course right! How could I miss this WNF production block for the G-6/U 4 subtype?

Thanks for the pointer!

Cheers
Marc