[veltro]

The Bf 109G-14 is thought to be a common version of the Gustav series and, probably due to this classification, it has - in my view - been quite overlooked.

My attention has been recently pointed to an apparently secondary detail: the position of the circular hatch on the port side of the nose covering the access to the oil filler cap of the nose oil tank.

The position of such hatch denotes which type of oil tank was mounted on the Bf 109: a lower one (just on top of the first nose air scoop) indicates a typical 36-litres oil tank with a horseshoe shape, usually associated with the DB605A and AS and used since the G-1 version. A higher round hatch (about 20 cm - 6.5 inches over the nose air scoop) indicates the presence of the bigger 50-litres oil tank of annular shape, usually associated with the DB605D engine.

This the theory generally accepted so far.

A theory that for the G-1 to G-6 versions duly applies, as well as for the G-14/AS up to the K-4.

The only "hole" in that theory is the G-14 itself. All the evidence that I have collected so far, seems to indicate that, with the probable exception of the very early G-14 batches produced, the main core of the G-14 produced (and this include for the great majority those built by Erla Leipzig), shows the higher nose round oil filler hatch.

This indicates that those G-14 were equipped with the bigger annular oil tank which - at this point - cannot be considered anymore as and indication of the presence of the DB 605D.

To add further confusion, it is also correct to say that all the G-14/AS seen so far (the vast majority of which produced by MTT) do "correctly" shows the lower oil filler hatch…

First to draw out any conclusion (there would be many…), I would like however to profit of the knowledge and the archives of the many researchers/enthusiasts/collectors reading this site to ask for proofs confirming or denying what I think to have found. Thus, please do examine closely the nose port side of any alleged G-14 image and look at the position of the oil filler hatch.

As far as I am concerned, all the ones I have seen (apart from the RAF captured one with W.Nr. 413598, i.e. an early production one) do show the higher oil filler hatch. Certainly all the examples of the 464xxx batch, but also others.

I do hope to start a debate and to show that research can be made also collectively. It is a hope but also a target.

Thanks for your attention.