[edNorth]

Three facts, or as I understand them be facts:

1. W.Nr. plates indentifying factory, serials or manufacturing dates were ordered NOT installed anymore after late 1942 (i.e. effective for Ju 88s about March/April 1943).

2. After that only the W.Nr., secret factory code (three letter lower case ammunition code) and Abnahme date were given. This applied to both main and part plates, and frequently dates were not stamped on part plates, So if this Bf 109 had gone thugh overhaul or repair after late 1942, do not expect these be still attached.

3. The main Luftwaffe ID or W.Nr. belonged to the rear fuselage, the section below and/or forward of the rudder, and to this was attached (after 1941 a triangular Iron plate - the emergency dataplate). Everything else, all other parts (after 1937) was considered and installed on "ready" and "available" bases at repair factories.

Althou it is likely not in doupt which Bf 109 this was, its main I.D. section making this a Luftwaffe aircraft is missing - and in my mind can not be considered a whole aircraft, because if it has new rear fuselage fitted, it should bear that parts Serial (or W.Nr.) - else I agree with others, numbers stamped on parts are not W.Nr´s. and every caution should be made trying make them match with "blocks" or specific aircraft.

Best regards
Ed