109's based in Sicily 1942
 

Any idea if these aircraft were equipped with tropical filters while employed in the siege of Malta?
I'm only guessing that those few photos that exist of these filters in use while in Sicily are of either aircraft being prepared for North Africa, or have returned from that theater and retained that piece of equipment. Any thoughts?

Re: 109's based in Sicily 1942
 

I believe priens JG 53 history has pictures of 109s with and without sand filters when the unit was based in Sicily which does tend to get dusty at times. So i think they were used there.