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Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
Okey dokey...
I recently had the opportunity to view a very nice Me109 wing that was not from a crash or dug from somewhere in Russia. Though most of it's paint has faded or flaked over the years, 100% it was a African/Italian bird, as it still had major traces of RLM79 Sandgelb. It also still had 60% of the cross on the upper wing surface. Perfectly straight, no major damage. There was a werk number painted on the inside, but it appeared to be done by someone post-war, so I did not pay too much attention to it. I was told it was found in storage at Wright-Patterson in the 1980's. Sadly, I did not get to take any photos, but for all I know the werk (and story) could have been something made-up. What I know for a fact is Type Me109 G5 to G14 RLM79 on upper surface and RLM76 on the under surface Cross on the upper Traces of the cross on the lower Not dug or from a wreck - looks like it is from old storage. I have gone through all the photos and books I have of captured Me109's...and every one had the cross(es) over-painted with US markings. Also the British did that on thiers as well... So I am at a bit of a loss into where this wing could have come from. Does anyone know of any Me109 aircraft, captured by the allies, that would have these features?? TIA Mike |
Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
Did you not note the painted Wk.nr? Just because you think it was painted post war doesn't mean it is incorrect
Dave |
Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
Good point Dave.
A lot if not all the major components of Luftwaffe planes when broken down and shipped received the Wrk Number. I would imagine the one on this wing is legit. Stephen |
Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
There was a post in June 2012 about a Bf-109 in Pittsburgh. I had commented about it because it was displayed in the US Steel mill in March 1944 that I eventually worked at in 1979. It is a G Trop model, and only the fuselage from firewall to the fuselage Balkenkreuz. No wings, engine, or tail. It was apparently touring the country on some bond raising tour. Possibility?
Tony |
Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
Lots of individual parts were shipped "as spares" to Freeman Field, possibly also to Wright Field (and then forgotten in remote storage). Desert camo Bf 109 was at Wright Field, in structural testing, IIRC. Photo in Butlers "Warprizes". -Ed
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Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
Thansk guys!
Will be taking a pic of the werk this week...see if it matches up to anything... ;) Mike |
Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
You mentioned that it was from a G-5 to G-14, couldn't it be a G-4? I can't think of a way to tell G-4 wing from the rest as most had the bulges for the larger main wheels.
/Anders |
Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
It would seem unlikely that it's from a G-5. Few, if any, of that sub-type went to Africa or the Med. And I've never heard of or seen any photos of G-10/14s in Sandgelb. Has anyone else? There were lots of G-2s, G-4s and G-6s captured on various airfields in the Med area though in 43/44. (See "Air War Italy 1944-45" by Beale, D'Amico & Valentini, "Geschichte des Jagdgeschwaders 77" Volume 3 and/or 4 by J. Prien or "Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945, Vol.11" (2 parts) by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike & Bock)
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Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
Hi!
I was specifically referring to the "type" of wing....obviously with the sandgelb, it narrows it down to G4-G6..."maybe" G8. Will have photos on Friday. ;) |
Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
What about any cutouts for the main wheels on the upper wing for 660 x 160mm tires? Had been a feature from Nov '43 on. If not this would narrow down any variations.
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Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
Summer of 1942 is when the larger wheels were first introduced...or at least when they decided to make them larger...so G4 upwards...
;) mike |
Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
From the post about the Me109 in Pittsburgh:
Marc-André Haldimann Re: Bf-109 in Pittsburgh -----------------------------------------------------------------------It is either a Bf 109 G-2/Trop or G-4/Trop. Given the date, March 1944, "Schwarze 11" is a relic from South Italy and thus with all probability a former JG 53 or JG 77 machine. |
Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
1 Attachment(s)
In Merricks 'Luftwaffe Camoflage and Markings' (p41), there is a shot of a BF109G with werkno written at the factory in white on wings/tails.
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Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
Alright...
I managed to get a pic of werk...100% it is the original German-written werk number, as oppsoed to something post-war. Looks like it was a wing that was borrowed from another 109... this is what is written inside: Fl. 15137 zu W.Nr. 15121 Normally one was associalte the upper line with a part or component, however in this case, no such Fl.number exists in this range. I beleive it is referring to the main werk of the aircraft itself... In this case, and Erla built G4 Trop...which is correct, given the camouflage. Anyone have info on either bird? TIA Mike |
Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
Mike,
When are you going to show us the photos of the wing? Stephen |
Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
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Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
Thanks!
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Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
Quote:
http://images.library.pitt.edu/cgi-b...id=34416GN.TIF Looks like they had a Panzer there as well. http://images.library.pitt.edu/cgi-b...d=014437GN.TIF http://images.library.pitt.edu/cgi-b...d=014435GN.TIF |
Re: mbt italia
Quote:
Please repost or edit your post into English. |
Re: Questions about an Me109 wing that was found at Wright Field
John...
Not sure what you are posting there...seems to be a advertisement...? ;) |
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