Bf 109G-14 461200
 

Hi Gents,

Was it a G-14 or G-14/AS ?
Thank you ... :)

Regards, Franck.

Re: Bf 109G-14 461200
 

Hello Franck,

the 461200 was a Bf 109 G-14/AS in which Ofhr Arnolf Russow of 15./JG 4 flew his last mission on 1 January 1945.
The aircraft was recovered at Ulbeek, Belgium in the late 1990s.
The engraving in the Werknummer plate reads "8-109 g 14 As 461200 MCU".

Source: Manrho/Pütz "Bodenplatte".

Regards
Leo

Re: Bf 109G-14 461200
 

Thank you Leo!
Cristal clear; no more doubts then.

Regards,
Franck.

Re: Bf 109G-14 461200
 

MCU is ERLA werk 1, Leipzig

Re: Bf 109G-14 461200
 

mmmmmmmm....

Not sure if "recovered" is the right word.

It was sitting in a farmers field, and the farmer wanted it GONE. In the 1990's the Belgium Government's rule was "if it is on your property, it is your problem".

A local drunk knew about it...and made a deal to remove the wreck as long as he gets to keep it.

So...they agreed.

he, along with some other locals, recovered what was there...a few bits were kept...the rest were sold to a scrap dealer so he could use the money for alcohol. I think he got what would be the equivalent of around 500,00 euro for everything.

The proud seller can be seen in the white shirt.

Re: Bf 109G-14 461200
 

Ah, start to be interesting ...
So, judging with the blade, it didn't crash.
A DB605 A or not ? Still a doubt ... can be build as G-14/AS and have a plate but ... surroundings are interesting too ;)

Re: Bf 109G-14 461200
 

Thank you Harrison to enlight me on this 'recovery'...

The version published in J. Manhro Bodenplatte puzzled me a bit too. RUSSOW was "forced to make a belly-landing". And next sentence : "The engine was located at a depth of about 5 meters".
Perhaps local researcher Rudi S. may bring info too?

Unfortunately Belgium (including the South part too) did not escape to the "gold wreckage rush" by... looters. Some of them are better known - nowadays - as aviation archaeologists.

ClinA-78

Re: Bf 109G-14 461200
 

Hi Gents,

It seems I was right to ask about this loss.
So:
Is it possible with photos loaded by Harrison to say it was a DB605 A or a DB605 ASM ?
Is it possible to find other pictures of surroundings?

Regards,
Franck.

Re: Bf 109G-14 461200
 

100% it was an AS...as I have some engine parts from the wreck around 10 years ago...as well as some of the cowl bits that ID'd it as AS...

;)

Mike

Re: Bf 109G-14 461200
 

Thanks Mike !

Re: Bf 109G-14 461200
 

The story in our book Bodenplatte was based on several sources. The ADI(K) Report clearly indicates that Russow bellylanded and that was supported by statements of eyewitnesses.

I believe that Ron Putz had contact with the people that recovered the a/c and there were also news paper articles about this event. It all states that the engine was recovered at some 5 metres....the a/c apparantly was buried after the war.....

However, there is one newspaper article that says that the pilot from this a/c parachuted out.....

If anybody does know the complete story for 100% certainty, just let me know.

Regards,

John

Re: Bf 109G-14 461200
 

Hello Mike,

Regarding your Post #9, was the Motornummer ever determined?

Respectfully,

Steve Sheflin

Re: Bf 109G-14 461200
 

If you look at the propeller blade, this indicates a AS or D engine. It also seems possible there is a 50 l oil tank behind the propeller.