Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

Expected at the end of the month.

https://www.christian-schmidt.com/pr...tqst4ibde937p5

Usual disclaimer,
Ed

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

An English edition needed!

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

With a price of about £100 inc post and tax, this could still be a good book. Despite the breadth of Bf 109 publications there is still room for more! If anyone gets a copy, I would appreciate a review please.

SM

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

Did anyone get the book by now?

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

looks fascinating...

does anyone know who the gentleman is, or have his contact details?

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

...best 109 book currently out there is Peter Schmoll's " Me 109; Produktion und Einsatz "

http://falkeeins.blogspot.com/2018/0...d-einsatz.html

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

In my opinion this is an excellent book and is the best current reference on the Bf 109. The book is very heavily footnoted, so that in 1032 pages there are 4850 footnotes. So many pages are a half page of text with the bottom half being footnotes. These are sometimes extensive as you might expect.
Primary sources are quoted thoughout, plus he has been through all the books available on the subject and these are often quoted and mistakes discussed and explained.
I haven't been through it all yet but what I've seen is remarkable. From his comments on my own work I have to admit several errors, small in nature. There are also points I disagree with.
As an idea of the intensity of his research, I believe he is the first author to deduce the exact number of Bf 109 Es produced. Many others give approximate numbers, even respected ones. Here are exact numbers although I can't guarantee there are none.
Who is he? A retired Rechtanwalt ie lawyer and you can deduce this from reading the introduction.
So I recommend this book unreservidly. It may well be overtaken on some points in the future and there is plenty of material for discussion.
Regards,
Francis

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

An English edition defitely needed!

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

are his contact details in there?

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

Richard,
no contact details but if you search for Michael Baumgartl with Frankfurt you will come across his Kanzlei through which he can probably be contacted.


Regards,
Francis

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

It looks like a very impressive book, just by the sheer number of pages and the amount of footnotes (which I always appreciate).
Details:
Author(s): Michael Baumgartl
Publisher: Self publisher
Pages: 1.032
Language: GERMAN
Edition: 1
Year of publication: 2022
Dimensions: 30 x 21,5 cm
Binding: Hardcover
Weight: 3.00 kg

Question to those who had a chance to take a closer look at the book: are the Werknummer blocks discussed? If yes, do they cover the G version as well, including those built outside Germany?

Looking forward to buying it, even if my German language reading proficiency is medium, at best.

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

Are sample pages viewable somewhere?

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

I have just received the book, and have only started to digest it. However, I must say that from my first impression, I'm extremely impressed. Everything appears to be exceptionally thoroughly researched with extremely detailed references to original documentation, and discussion of pretty much every previously published book on the Bf 109. As far as the technical development and characteristics of the Bf 109 are concerned, this book really seems to be it, and I don't see it being eclipsed anytime soon (if ever). Being primarily a technical resource, mostly concerned with engineering and performance, it could have done with some more original engineering drawings and performance graphs, but since the book is self-published, I assume the fairly limited amount of figures may be due to financial considerations.

Regarding W.Nr blocks: the book has a very extensive discussion of production numbers, per producer, per subtype, and per year, including foreign-built aircraft. However, unfortunately, a discussion of W.Nr. blocks associated with each production ring appears to be missing.

One thing that is interesting is that the author does not seem to be aware of the photograph of Erla-built Bf 109 K-4/R6 W.Nr 570 375, or the unfinished Erla K-4 fuselages dumped outside the station in Plauen at the end of the war, stating instead that only one Erla K-4 was produced in February 1945 (W.Nr. 570 362). This is somewhat surprising, given that the image of 570 375 has been available online for about a decade now, and the image of the unfinished fuselages near Plauen was fist published back in 1973 in Hitchcock's 'O-Nine Gallery'.

Notwithstanding these minor niggles, this book really appears to be the best and most complete reference on the technical aspects of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 by a large measure. It's a must for any Bf 109 fanatic, and if you have an interest in technical matters, you surely won't be disappointed!

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

thanks!

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

https://www.luftwaffe-research-group...t-bf109.27088/

Even more reasons for an English edition.

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

I tried contacting the author, but got nowhere unfortunately

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

Contact not received by him or he didn't respond?

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

My brief review.

It is the best technical book on the 109. It's basically the 109 equivalent of Morgan and Shacklady's Spitfire book, except for the fancy photos and listing of individual serial numbers. Lots of very fresh, never published information, and very few 'holes' where the story is not complete.

The book is extremely cheap for a 100, it is self published, and essentially endless pages of pure, raw, boring information you mostly never seen before, with about 1/3 of each page with through references and quotes.

Paper quality is OK, as if you would print a book on a home printer on standard A4 pages, but its hard cover. Extra points for the two oldschool but very useful 'page markers' (small strips of cloth).

It's a no-nonsense, througly researched and referenced technical book down to the smallest development and issue-solving detail that may be of interest, with every single statement well researched, conclusions very conservatively made instead of being 'dreamed up'.

If you are interested in the smallest technical detail, and don't care about nice photos or unit histories, because it doesn't have any. Those are well covered by well known books. There is no real need for another one of those.

Get it while you still can.

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

Based on the samples I have seen, the page count is slightly misleading since by tighter layout the page count could be reduced considerably. It seems that the author/publisher did not have access/to proper design software, so the design looks like a school paper done on Word.

The above is intented to emphasise that the translation cost would not be as high as 1000 + pages would initially suggest. And the applies to paper costs.

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

Jukka, this is a self-published book; I understood the author paid the full cost. If so, it's his right to use the font size/type and layout he wanted. To me, the text and photos are primordial, not the layout (even though it could be optimised, I agree).

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

Jukka,


There is no indication of the author's skill level as far as formatting and publishing are concerned. I have worked in book publishing for 40+ years and some authors, not referring to this one, think they can lay out a book, choose a font, etc. Most can't. They don't have the knowledge or experience.


This book will not see print in English in my view. An accurate translation is a must, or reviews will immediately appear like: "A poor translation. Get the original."


Personally, I would buy this book even if it was printed on newsprint as long as all of the details and references were accurate. But I have a long list of other books I need to buy first. And I doubt any money would be left over for this one.

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

You are missing the point. Nobody is denying his right to saw off his left leg, but the wisdom of such an act may well be questioned. Since there are indications from multiple sources that the cost of printing paper has increased significantly lately, it is pretty obvious that it isn't in the self-interest of the publisher to make decisions that would increase his costs without a corresponding benefit.

And that issue isn't the primary point. Even here many have oohaahed that page count alone without a more nuanced analysis. I have a massive book on submarine diesels. It has some 750 pages in 8.5" x 11" format. Yet, it has substantially less text than the much thinner Fw 200 book by Chris Goss.

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

That would be a poor decision in my opinion, if you are interested in the subject. You could buy 10 other books and not get 10% of the information this one has on Me 109 technical development.

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

He didn't respond. Pretty sure I got the right guy. I rang his old office and spoke to his secretary. Maybe one day he'll change his mind and contact me...

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

Just trying to resurrect this - still trying to get the gentleman's contact details. If anyone knows him and can help, please contact me

Regards
Rich

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

For some reason this book fell off my radar and I have only just bought it.
What a book! This is a particular type of book about the Bf 109 aircraft and its engines. There are no photographs of the aircraft, only a single photo of a tropical air filter and about 15 pages of diagrams and pictures from some manuals at the end of the book! But where this book hits hard is with the technical detail and comprehensive referencing of the source data, the referencing takes up about 25% of the page space by my guess.
I specialise in the technical detail of the DB engines, and here this book is a revelation. Excellent explanation is given on the progress of engine development, particularly on the later developments where clarity has been totally lacking in the past. I have a very comprehensive collection of original DB 605 documentation, but this book puts all of it into a coherent focus. Many previous theories about the later DB 605 engine are totally de-bunked by this book.
But this is not a book of nuts and bolts, it is a book of what choices were made and what was built.
So, do not buy this book if you want pictures or a story in prose.
Thank-You Michael Baumgartl for this book of facts and cross references to primary source documents that none of us can ever research ourselves!
This book will precipitate many revisions as the information in it filters out!
I would advise anyone with a serious interest in the Bf 109 and/or the DB engines to buy this book. It seems to need purchase through specialist suppliers. I bought my new copy through Berliner Zinnfiguren online for £70 inc postage to UK.

Schwarze-man

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

Apologies for my late comment, but having just got this book, I can agree that Kurfürst is absolutely correct!
This book completely defines the technical progress of the DB 605 engines, for this alone, the book is ground-breaking and worth far more than the asking price, IMO. However, do not buy this book for photographs or an attractive story, it is 100% information.

SM

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

Just a quick point about Michael Baumgartls' great book. There is some confusion about the Bf 109 F propellers in the book on pages 294/295. If Michael would wish to send a message to me on here, I can help him with the detail that he needs!

SM

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

SM

If you send me a PM with the detail and your contact inormation, I can get this on to Michael.

Steve Coates

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

Hi Steve,
Thanks for your offer. I will send you a PM.

SM

Re: Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.
 

thanks for the continued positive reviews of this book, it makes my decision to help publish it in English all the more justified. I'm working with Michael to help bring this book to an English-speaking market, but it won't be a quick process by any means...a few years down the line at a rough guess.