Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad
 

Hello !
This 2 parts of Bf-109 G-1 (high-altitude modification with a pressurized cockpit) canopy was found near Stalingrad .
G-1 has been made only in February, 1942. Only 167 pieces. All planes have been sent on the western front, and only a few in March, 1943 on East front in J.G.5 - but it is the north (Murmansk)! How could get in Stalingrad?
Any information is very interesting!
Many thanks for yours help !

Re: Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad
 

Hello Pitomnik,

only one loss of a Bf 109 G-1 in the Stalingrad area is known to me.
On Dec 17, 1942 the II./JG 52 transferred from Simowniki to Kotelnikowo. Because of an engine trouble the WNr. 14030 of 6./JG 52 made an emergency landing in Kotelnikowo, damaged 60%.

Regards
Leo

Re: Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad
 

Thank you Leo ))))
I think, after crush landind in Kotelnikowo - this canopy used on another Bf109 , and this plane will shot down near Stalingrad !

Re: Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad
 

Nice find! But it does not look like a crashpart, seems it is not realy damaged as one should expect after a crash.

Re: Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad
 

This part was found near infanterie buncker , no one airfield around 10 km.
All plexiglas windows are carefully removed, the screws are hung. Often plex used soldiers for crafts. Cigarette cases for example. Canopy parts were in a garbage pit, near the bunker. Canned cans, garbage, packets of cigarettes.
Many emergency landing plane on photos - without midle & back parts of canopy. I think - for fast evacuation.
Photo of one more canopy, was found in tundra...far..far..away from any airfield )))

Re: Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad
 

What makes you think it is from a G-1? There is no evidence of it being from a pressurized cockpit, and the rear armour mounts are standard G.

In addition...

MANY canopies survived when a pilot bailed out of an aircraft. I have found near PERFECT canopies, with only cracked plexiglass and some dents...that were FAR away from any airfield.

It was most likely scavenged and buried.

Mike

Re: Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad
 

Midle part - 100% from G-1.
You can compare schemes (pressurized canopy)and photo my canopy.

Re: Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad
 

The G-1, G3 and G5 were all pressurized... :)

"If" it was from a pressurized variant...I doubt it was G-1...most likely G3 or G5.

In addition...many pressurized features were on standard Me109's (canopy features, lack of vents, cowlings with bulges for compressor, etc.) ...so simply having those screws does not make it 100% from a pressurized Me109.

:)

Mike

Re: Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad
 

As I said...

It is probably not G-1...

It could have been a G2, G4, G6 fitted with this canopy...which is most likely the case.

When the pressurized versions went into production, parts were interchangeable...and WERE interchanged.

I have been involved in many wreck recoveries where a standard G2 HAD G1 features...or a G6 had G5 features. This was quite common.

Where the item was found really has no bearing on the model type, as many captured aircraft were brought back to Russia for evaluation.

Simply because it was found in the Stalingrad area, does not mean it must be an early G fighting in Stalingrad. It could have been buried in the 1950's from a captured aircraft...or was simply left over as a spare part, as there is no evidence of any wreckage in the area.

This is most likely installed on a standard G...

Re: Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad
 

So ! Why are you sure - this can not be G-1 ??? G-3, G-5 and G-6 late models, were not exactly used in Stalingrad. The version "after war" - 100% not possible. It's found in the German bunker dump! Among the German war garbage. I will show additional photos of the elements that were used only on pressurized canopy.

Re: Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad
 

:)May be this back-panzer plate not from G-1 too ?
http://savepic.ru/14724346.jpg

Re: Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad
 

What harrison987 is saying is that while the canopy may have been built to fit a pressurized aircraft (G-1, G-3, G-5), it could have just as easily been installed on a non-pressurized aircraft if needed (G-2, G-4, G-6) or it may have been a spare canopy/part.

Because there is very little to no damage seen on the canopy, it could have been a spare part and never installed on an aircraft. There just isn't enough evidence to conclude it was used on a particular G-1.

Was it built as a pressurized canopy.....YES. Was it installed on a particular aircraft........No way to tell.

Re: Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad
 

Ok !
Spare parts for NEW type Bf109 - on infantry positions .....? I dont think so.
Bf109 G-1 WerkNr. 14030 was emergency landing in Kotelnikowo - and this canopy can reinstaled on another plane (G-2, G-4) and this plane was emergency landing near Stalingrad - its possible ? Yes !
New type canopy for G-1 (only 167 was made) - build more , 200 or 300 pieces in 1942 (for spare and use on all type "Gustav" !!!!! - possible ? No, dont thing so.
The field (near canopy found point) - see many alluminium fragment, i think need check this field, may be this field give me answer .... G-1 or G-2,4....

Re: Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad
 

If the plans were to build more G1/G3/G5s than what really were built, there might have been quite a lot of surplus parts. These parts were of course never thrown away, but installed on other planes. This might be the case here, hard to tell.

Re: Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad
 

There is absolutely no evidence anywhere to suggest ANY specific model.

It could have been jettisoned during a bail out...landed on the ground, and merely collected as scrap.

This was found alone...in a hole...with NO other aircraft parts around.

The only thing that is certain is that it is from a G-model.

The exact model type it was "actually" installed on, will be impossible to determine.

As I have already mentioned to you in multiple emails...we have found MANY G2, G4, G6 models that had PRESSURIZED features...and G1, G3, G5 models that had NON-PRESSURIZED features.

You can believe whatever you want to believe, but the reality is, you will never be able to determine what specific aircraft type it is from...OR how it got in that hole.