Me 109F development
 

Just struck me that I cannot find in my books a reliable date of start of Me 109F development. Appearance of similar Me 209 and Me 210 in 1938 suggest that modification programme started somewhere at the time, possibly later when some engineers were released from their duties with the above aircraft. Any clue on this?
Also, is it known when the first claims were filled on F and how many F-0 aircraft were sent to combat units? I know of Galland and Moelders' ones.
Thanks

Bf 109 F Development
 

Franek,

In Monogram's Close-Up 9, "Bf 109 F," by Thomas H. Hitchcock,it is stated on page 1 "Development of the Bf 109 F began some four years earlier, in 1938...., and on page 2 "By January 1939 design of the Bf 109 F had been establlished and plans were made to test as many of the features on existing airframes," and on page 4 "....the Messerschmitt works at Regensburg began tooling up for production of the Bf 109 F series," page 6 ".By late summer 1940 .... plans were finalized to commence production of the first series of of the Friedrich, the Bf 109 F-1, by October 1940, ....began leaving Messerschmitt's Regensburg factory late in November 1940."

I could not find much on the F-0, other than "... a preproduction batch of some twenty-five Bf 109 F-0 aircraft (W.Nr. 5601 to 5625) were completed over the next several months.... (page 4). "....Messerschmitt did not intend that the preproduction Bf 109 F-0s would be handed over to the Luftwaffe for operations....."

Tom

According to E. Mombeek's Jagdwaffe, The Battle of Britain, p. 295, the F-0 was first flown in action by Maj. Molders on Oct 22, 1940. On that day he claimed three kills (Hurricanes) NW of Maidstone, from 49th to 51st, which so could be the first victims of the Friederick.

According to different sources (Prien & Rodeike, Bf 109 F-K, an illustrated study), Maj. Molders (Stab/JG 51) first flown the F-0 on Oct 6th (no claims) or on 25th (52nd and 53rd claims, two Spitfires, NW of Dover and on Margate).
In Mombeek's book there's a picture of Molders' F-1 with 54 kill marks on its tail.

I don't know how accurate are the infos, but that's all I could gather

:wink:

Thanks to both of you!
Information concerning development of Me 109F confirms my beliefs and fits to my very approximate calculations.
Concerning combat use of F-0, it is a little bit mysterious to me. I understand both Galland and Moelders got them in apporximatelly same time and flew them at least until December. Log books of both pilots survived, so if anybody on this board has seen them, please confirm the dates.
More surprising for me is lack of any info concerning other German pilots receiving it. My guess would be that either top scorers or Geschwaderkommodoren got them and in any case at least Wick should fly this variant as well.
Any clues?

Franek: I have a copy of the Moelders logbook and the dates are confirmed. However, I have never seen anything to confirm that Wick flew one-Galland certainly did at the end of the Battle. He had certainly handed his 109 E over, hence Hptm Asmus (I believe) was flying it when he was shot down

Thanks Chris but what dates? There is a clear conflict between Prien/Rodeike and Mombeek. Also, are you able to determine from the log book when Moelders exchanged his F-0 to F-2? Had he any interrim Me 109E?
Also, you state that the Galland's old aircraft was lost, so what was the one shown on a photo in JG26 photo book on page 63? It is attributed there to von Holtey of Erg.Gr. JG 26?
Anybody can confirm that the first claim for 109F was filled on 13.02.1941 by 91 Sqn and the first destroyed was claimed by the same unit on 11.04.1941?

Franek-I will have to look when I get home tonight. It was not Galland's ac that was lost but Moelders

Molders
 

If I recall correctly from his FB, Moelders continued to fly his first 'F-0' (F-1?) well into the summer of 41. There were occasional flights in other machines during the spring, including Es, but WNr. 5628 was his primary machine.

Now I am pretty confused!
I always thought that Moelders flew F-0, externally distinguishable by a 'square' air inlet. WNr 5628 suggests it was early F-1/2 rather than F-0 which are reported to be in 5601-5625 block (I have also seen refernce to only 10 pre-production aircraft). Anyone know what happenned to F-0s? One was listed in IV/JG1 as late as Spring 1942 but I am not sure if it was not a clerk's error.

Still in the Prien and Rodeike's work the WNr. 5628 is listed as F-1. There are a couple of pictures of the machine, one said to be taken in october 1940 where the Messer is still with its Stammkennzeichen SG+GW, just arrived to the Stab/JG 51.
They dismiss the F-0 issue with "there was presumably a small F-0 series", and according to them, the first loss of a Friedrick (a F-1) occurred on Nov 11 1940, when WNr 5635, flown by the Staffelkapitan of 1./JG51, Oblt. G. Claus failed to return from a sortie off the English coast.

The first mention of an F in his Flugbuch was 9 Oct 40-2 flights 1045-1215 and 1415-1420. He then went back to his E and back to an F on 20 Oct . He mentions an F-1 from 1 Dec 40, then an F-2 from 16 Jan 41. He only mentions Wk Nrs in 1941-5628, 5629, 6660 and 6060

Thanks Chris and Gielle
Now it is interesting. I have a confirmation there is no doubt SGGW was 5628 and ineed F-1 but when it was received? Anybody seen originally dated photos of aircraft with JG51?
Timing of production just do not fit for me!
And it seems the first Fritz kills were claimed on 22 October - a very messy day. Hmm.

Franek, the second picture of WNr 5628 I was talking about in my last post depicts in foreground the tail section, with 54 victory marks. Accordingly, the picture should be dated between oct 29 and dec 1, 1940, when Maj. Molders scored his 55th kill.

Molder's F-0
 

I contend that Molders did fly an F-0, and offer the following as evidence. In the article "The Ace That Never Was!" by Andy Saunders in Aviation News, 23 June 1999, which covers the story of Hptm Hans Asmus getting shot down on 25 October 1940 flying one of Molder's E Wk. Nr. 3737, quotes Asmus: "Molders was flying in the first of the new 109Fs." If the F-1 did not become available until November 1940 (see page 6 of Hitchcock's "Bf 109 F), then the 109 Molders flew on 25 October had to be an F-0

Tom D

Tom
If Oblt. Claus failed to return in F-1 on 11 November 1940, then I assume Moelders got F-1 at the time as well and it must have been built considerably earlier. I am wondering if Moelders received a first series F-1 available in early October, remaining going for tests. Presumably after his first flights some snags were found and the aircraft was grounded for about two weeks. This makes sense for me.
But then, the question arises if F-0 was ever delivered anywhere but some test units.

109F
 

Not an F-0 in the bunch -- losses thru Mar.41 -- and none at all in my database:

Bf 109F-1 5635 Claus, Oblt. Georg 18 1. JG 51 SG+ED 11-Nov-40 Stkp. POW after Luftkampf during Stuka escort sortie. First recorded 109F loss. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #2)-Vol.3; VLM; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.41; Ring, JG 51 loss list, p.45; Foreman, BoB:The Forgotten Months, p.68, 76; Messerschmitt Bf 109F, G & K, p.9 Themsemündung 100% F
Bf 109F-1 5640 Lohmann, Uffz. Heinz 1. JG 51 SG+EI 14-Nov-40 Injured in Notlandung due to fuel shortage during transfer flight. 2 reports, 1 Technical failure (Pihen), the other Notlandung due to fuel shortage. Germany Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #2)-Vol. 3; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.41; Schmoll, Die Messerschmitt Werke in Zwieten Weltkrieg, p.53 near Rockenhausen 70% H
Bf 109F-1 6627 Laumann, Fw. Oswald I. JG 51 18-Jan-41 Injured in Bruchlandung. Or III./JG 51? Germany Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.42; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.89; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.72 Fl.Pl. Mannheim-Sandhofen 75% H
Bf 109F-1 6637 Strauss, Uffz. Heinrich I. JG 51 28-Jan-41 Crashed. Pilot KIC? Or injured? Germany Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.85 near Darmstadt 100% H
Bf 109F-1 6615 III. JG 51 09-Feb-41 Bauchlandung due to pilot error. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.89; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.120 Wizernes 20% F
Bf 109F-1 6612 III. JG 51 09-Feb-41 Taxiing accident. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.89; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.120 Wizernes 10% H
Bf 109F-1 6626 Steckmeyer, Ltn. Adolf 11. JG 51 10-Feb-41 KIA in Luftkampf with Hurricanes of 249 Sq. Prien says accident. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.108; Ring, JG 51 loss list, p.46; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.124 Ardres 100% F
Bf 109F-1 5664 9. JG 51 12-Feb-41 Rammed an FW 58 WNr. 58393 from I./JG 3. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.89; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.133 Fl.Pl. Wizernes 40% F
Bf 109F-2 5698 Messerschmitt GmbH NA+YM 26-Feb-41 Bruchlandung. Germany Schmoll, Die Messerschmitt Werke in Zwieten Weltkrieg, p.55, foto Fl.Pl. Regensburg b H
Bf 109F-1 6602 Lesch, Uffz. Arthur 2. JG 51 05-Mar-41 KIA in Luftkampf with Spitfires from Tangmere Wing. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.42; Ring, JG 51 loss list, p.46; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.206 near Boulogne 100% F
Bf 109F-2 5405 1. JG 51 10-Mar-41 Bruchlandung. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.42; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.215. Fl.Pl. Coquelles 20% H
Bf 109F-2 6668 1. JG 51 10-Mar-41 Bruchlandung. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.42; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.215. Coquelles 15% H
Bf 109F-1 5615 2.Erg. JG 51 12-Mar-41 Bruchlandung. FR Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.114; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.220 Cazaux 45% H
Bf 109F-1 5677 Föger, Gefr. W. 10. JG 51 13-Mar-41 Bruchlandung due to pilot error. Doegen? Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.109; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.231. Charleville 90% H
Bf 109F-2 8131 Klee, Stfw. Hans 2 7. JG 2 SH+AK SH+AK 14-Mar-41 Killed in crash during evaluation flight for the Erla-Werk. Germany Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.1, p.156; Ring, JG 2 loss list, p.4; Foreman, 1941, The Turning Point, I, p.238 Dessau, near Leipzig 100% H
Bf 109F-1 6632 III. JG 51 14-Mar-41 Taxiing accident. Germany Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.89; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.238 Fl.Pl. Bonn-Hangelar 30% H
Bf 109F-1 6639 Vogeler, Uffz. Hans II. JG 51 15-Mar-41 Taxiing accident. Also reported as III./JG 51. Germany Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.70; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.89; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.243 Mannheim-Sandhofen 75% H
Bf 109F-1 6635 8. JG 51 schwarze 4 + I 15-Mar-41 Fehlstart. Germany Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.89; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.243 Mannheim-Sandhofen 80% H
Bf 109F-2 6696 Klager, Ltn. Ernst 22 7. JG 53 17-Mar-41 Fehlstart. Germany Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.274; Prien, JG 53, I, p. 322; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.247 Mannheim-Sandhofen 90% H
Bf 109F-2 Zerr, Uffz. Franz 9. JG 53 19-Mar-41 Injured, crashed on take-off. Germany Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.274 Mannheim-Sandhofen 30% H
Bf 109F-1 5606 Pirschmann, Gefr. 1.Erg. JG 51 19-Mar-41 Killed in crash. FR Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.114; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.254 Abbeville 95% H
Bf 109F-1 5650 12. JG 51 21-Mar-41 Bruchlandung. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.109; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.260 Le Touquet 25% H
Bf 109F-2 12604 9. JG 53 21-Mar-41 Take-off accident. Germany Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.274; Prien, JG 53, I, p. 322; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.261 Krefeld 25% H
Bf 109F-1 5681 Leitner, Gefr. Franz 5. JG 53 23-Mar-41 Injured, crashing on take-off for Werkstattflug. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.239; Prien, JG 53, I, p. 322; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.269 St. Omer-Arques 90% H
Bf 109F-2 6686 Stab II. JG 53 schwarze <2 + - 24-Mar-41 Notlandung due to fuel shortage. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.239; Prien, JG 53, I, p. 322; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.271 St. Inglevert 20% F
Bf 109F-1 5638 Gollasch, Ltn. Josef 3. JG 51 SG+EG 25-Mar-41 Killed in FSA due to engine damage. Chute didn't open. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.42; Ring, JG 51 loss list, p.46; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.273 Rety near Marquise 100% F
Bf 109F-1 5695 10. JG 51 30-Mar-41 Bruchlandung. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.109; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.284 Etaples 65% F
Bf 109F-1 6624 Saalfeld, Ltn. Enzio von 1 7. JG 51 wei§e 3 + | 31-Mar-41 KIA in Luftkampf with Spitfire from 91 Sq. (Sgt. Mann). Prien says Hurricanes. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.89; Ring, JG 51 loss list, p.46; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.287 off Cap Griz Nez 100% F
Bf 109F-1 6648 3. JG 51 31-Mar-41 Bruchlandung. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.42; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.287 Coquelles 15% F
Bf 109F-1 6644 III. JG 51 31-Mar-41 Bruchlandung. Kanal Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.89; Foreman, 1941-The Turning Point, I, p.287 St. Omer-Wizernes 70% F

Molder's F-0
 

Franek,

Here's what else was in that article "The Ace That Never Was!" :
" Some ten examples of the pre-production 109F (the F-0) were built and evaluated operationally by the Luftwaffe. That flown by Molders on this day carried the overpainted factory codes SC+CW but no tactical markings. The Werk Nummer is unknown, but later the aircraft is known to have carried 54 rather than 56 'kill' markings on the rudder."

Tom

Re: Molder's F-0
 

Do you really mean SC+CW or SG+GW instead?

Tom
I have F-0 #1 being PH+BE and I do not expect remaining ones to have different codes. 'SC+CW' must be actually typo for SG+GW and I believe it was the first aircraft delivered to JG51 due to number of photos taken.
By the way, anybody have seen any photos of any other Fs taken at approximatelly the same time?

Jim
Thanks a lot - your post reminded me that I have a 'Foreman' on my shelf!
Entry for Bf 109F-1 5640 suggest the aircraft was transferred to the front on 14 November 1940. I understand small batches were delivered initially, perhaps the aircraft were still modified.
Some other entries look suspicious, possibly typo errors somewhere?
Bf 109F-2 5405 - not an F?
Bf 109F-1 5615 - it is F-0 serial!
Bf 109F-1 5606 - it is F-0 serial!

In Prien & Rodeike's work (p. 8) there's also a picture of another F-1, WNr. 5627, coded SG+GV, presumabily delivered to JG 51 in the same period (nov 40).

109F WNr. start at 5401!!

WNr. 5615 and 5606 are listed as F-1s. Possibly similar to FW 190A-0s which were redesignated as A-1s (with or w/o mods?) when sent to the field. Is this another LW 'legend'? Like Ju 88A-4s and He 111H-6s in the BoB? Neither shows up in losses until mid-1941.

Me 109F block starts at 5401?! Hmm, I have to check books again.
The Me 109F-0 myth? Apparently, but it seems only due to poor or incomplete research. As you can see, it is not known if 5615 and 5606 were F-0s, redesignated F-0s, converted to F-1s or just erroneous entry in documents. An F-0 is listed in 1942 with IV/JG1, is it another typo?
A major gap in 109 history I would say. Unfortunatelly.

Hi

Uffz. Lohmann (1./JG 51) had his first flight with the F-1 WNr.5640 on the 11. November 1940. He see that his Kapitän Oblt. Claus and his Rottenflieger was shot down from Spitfires. He dived up with his Rottenflieger, but his plane was damaged in the dive. He wrote his wings likes "Wellblech". I think the damage for the WNr.5640 14. November 1940 is a mistake, it was the 11.November 1940. He fly this plane on the 14. November 1940 to Regensburg, but make a emergency landing at Rockhausen due to fuel shortage. Next he fly the WNr.5629 from Regensburg to Mardyk (22. - 28. Novembe 1840). The next mission he fly the white 3, a F-1 on the 27. Januar 1941 and on the 09. Februar 1941 the white 4, a F-2.

Christian

P.S.
He fly the WNr.5640 from Regensburg over Köln (28. Oktober1940) to Pihen on the 31. Oktober 1940.

Wellblech = corrugated iron

Christian
Thanks for a very interesting information. Do you have Lohmann's account for the mentioned dog-fight?
PS I know what the 'wellblech' means but of course I cannot recall a proper English term at the moment. ;)

V25?
 

Please forgive me if this was mentioned here earlier, but have you seen photo on Falcon hangar (photo ID 4140) of possible V25? nose?

With best regards,

Marko

Re: Me 109F development
 

i thought georg claus of the jg 51 was shot down in a f model,on 11 11 40 in thames..
gary

Re: Me 109F development
 

In his book on Regensburg, Peter Schmoll notes the following about the early 109Fs. 5601: CE+BM; 5602: CE+BN, V21; 5603: CE+BP, V23; 5604: VK+AB, V-24. Then he cites the numbers 5605: VK+AC, F-0, and 5622: PI+IK, F-0 and states that between 1939 and 1941, 16 109 F-0s were manufactured.

Then he goes on to note that the first batch of F-1s, 5626-5631: SG+GU-SG+GZ,and 5632-5657: SG+EA-SG+EZ, were manufactured during Oct-Nov 1940. Altogether, Regensburg manufactured 8 batches (2 of them single a/c) during the period Oct 1940 through March 1941. Then in March 1941 they also produced about 26 F-2s, producing them through September 1941, before switching to the G-1 in November 1941.

Hope this helps,
George

Re: Me 109F development
 

HI, THANKS FOR INFO,GARY

Re: Me 109F development
 

Hi Frank molders did fly the f on 8th oct 40 as from some books a Lt amus was shot down in molders E model when combat was made Lt amus could not keep up,with the f0, staffels,planes and was shot down,made prisoner,
i Believe, molders shot 3 planes down, on 29th oct 40.with the f0.
Gary

Re: Me 109F development
 

Re: Me 109F development
Quote:
I could not find much on the F-0, other than "... a preproduction batch of some twenty-five Bf 109 F-0 aircraft (W.Nr. 5601 to 5625) were completed over the next several months.... (page 4). "....Messerschmitt did not intend that the preproduction Bf 109 F-0s would be handed over to the Luftwaffe for operations....."
In his book on Regensburg, Peter Schmoll notes the following about the early 109Fs. 5601: CE+BM; 5602: CE+BN, V21; 5603: CE+BP, V23; 5604: VK+AB, V-24. Then he cites the numbers 5605: VK+AC, F-0, and 5622: PI+IK, F-0 and states that between 1939 and 1941, 16 109 F-0s were manufactured.

Then he goes on to note that the first batch of F-1s, 5626-5631: SG+GU-SG+GZ,and 5632-5657: SG+EA-SG+EZ, were manufactured during Oct-Nov 1940. Altogether, Regensburg manufactured 8 batches (2 of them single a/c) during the period Oct 1940 through March 1941. Then in March 1941 they also produced about 26 F-2s, producing them through September 1941, before switching to the G-1 in November 1941.

Hope this helps,
George

Re: Me 109F development
 

Re: Me 109F development

'I could not find much on the F-0, other than "... a preproduction batch of some twenty-five Bf 109 F-0 aircraft (W.Nr. 5601 to 5625) were completed over the next several months.... (page 4). "....Messerschmitt did not intend that the preproduction Bf 109 F-0s would be handed over to the Luftwaffe for operations....." '

In his book on Regensburg, Peter Schmoll notes the following about the early 109Fs. 5601: CE+BM; 5602: CE+BN, V21; 5603: CE+BP, V23; 5604: VK+AB, V-24. Then he cites the numbers 5605: VK+AC, F-0, and 5622: PI+IK, F-0 and states that between 1939 and 1941, 16 109 F-0s were manufactured.

Then he goes on to note that the first batch of F-1s, 5626-5631: SG+GU-SG+GZ,and 5632-5657: SG+EA-SG+EZ, were manufactured during Oct-Nov 1940. Altogether, Regensburg manufactured 8 batches (2 of them single a/c) during the period Oct 1940 through March 1941. Then in March 1941 they also produced about 26 F-2s, producing them through September 1941, before switching to the G-1 in November 1941.

Hope this helps,
George

Re: Me 109F development
 

Just happened across this old thread on the Bf 109F, and found the following items in my binders on the aircraft:

On 25 April 1939, tested cockpit temperatures up to 8 km altitude in 109F V22, W.Nr. 1800, D-IRRQ.

A report on the air testing of V22, on 1 and 2 Jun 39, of a revised supercharger air intake.

So, if they were flight testing the prototype 109F in Spring 1939, it's a pretty good guess that they began work on the model in 1938.

On 20.3.40 Rechlin tested W.Nr. 5603 (Thoenes and Beauvais were the pilots). It was noted that greater force was needed to move the controls than in the 109E, and a decrease of these forces would be desirable.

At the other end of the spectrum, I have a report on flight testing the Me 109-F2 (sic) to assess the elastic properties of the wing on the rolling velocity and rolling acceleration during aileron operation. It was completed in June 1944!

Here is a page from a 1943 document that indicates changes made to Bf 109 F 1/2 aircraft, specifically the rear fuselage supporting the tail unit, and it should give a pretty good listing of W.Nrs. for these aircraft. Notice that Arado production begins with 5401. Also, it appears that they have lumped in the F-0s with the F-1s and F-2s.

Re: Me 109F development
 

George, it is outstanding, and doubtless Friedrich must have been developed well into 1938. I am wondering if wings were new built (as tail was) or converted from older ones.
The scan is very interesting but a pain to read. Could you send me perhaps a better copy?

Re: Me 109F development
 

There is a report titled Entwicklung und Flugeigenschaftsmässige Erprobung der Me 109 F (27.1.41) that briefly describes, as tittle says, the development and testing of the flight qualities of the F series, which are compared with those of the E series.
It's noted in the report that testing began in 1938. To be more precise, they tested diferent wings (slatless, wooden wings with ~4º wing twist) on Bf 109 B-1 W.Nr. 1032.

Re: Me 109F development
 

That would be outstanding. Where can I find the report?

Re: Me 109F development
 

You can find a copy in NASM reel 2279.

Re: Me 109F development
 

Thanks.

Re: Me 109F development
 

The RLM Lieferpläne Nr. 18 and 19 contain the following information on the Bf 109F-0 and some of the prototypes involved:
Bf 109V23 had W.Nr. 1801 and the Bf 109V24 was W.Nr. 1929.

Delivery of the F-0 series was as follows:
Total ordered 19 aircraft. Delivered up to 30.06.40 was 5 aircraft.
Up to 31.10.40 was 12 aircraft and up to 01.03.41 18 aircraft. Unfortunately I have no confirmation on the delivery of the 19th and final Bf 109F-0.

Also regarding the Bf 109F-1 series I can add the following:
Messerschmitt Regensburg had an order for totally 157 Bf 109F-1.
Up to 31.10.40 10 aircraft had been delivered. Up to 31.05.41 155 aircraft had been delivered.
The only licencee for the Bf 109F-1 was Wiener Neustadt who built a total of 49 Bf 109F-1 up to the end of May 1941.

Most of the Bf 109F-0 aircraft were delivered to Chef des Ausbildungswesens. From 14.10.40 to 29.12.40 a total of 11 aircraft had been assigned to the training establishments. The rest was probably kept for various testing purposes. On 01.03.41 the following F-models were used for testing: W.Nr. 5601, 5602, 5603, 5604, 5605, 5642, 5716 and 5717.

The first Bf 109F-1 aircraft to an operational unit was to J.G.51 at Mannheim on 19.12.40 when they received 8 aircraft. By the end of January 1941 this unit had received a total of 117 Bf 109F-1 and F-2 aircraft.

Re: Me 109F development
 

Thanks!