[stephen f. polyak]

The tenth installment “exposes’” a data plate from a Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter.

The top of the plate is prominently marked “Messerschmitt A.G. (“stock corporation”) Augsburg”. Following this are several entry boxes. I believe “Anfertigung” is “preparation”; the entry here is “0-1”. What could this mean? The Zeichng. Nr. (“indication number”) is “W8 - 110.59 - 10 - 1”. The “Betriebsm.” (“enterprise”) box is blank. The “Kontrolle” box is marked December 23, 1939. The final entry is an inspector’s mark - “R189”. (If I have mistranslated the words above, please feel free to provide proper definitions.)

The plate is production made. Entries are die-stamped. Although not an airframe main identification (ID) plate, it has comparable dimensions (approx. 1.5 x 4. in). It is considerably larger than the standard Messerschmitt data plate commonly used on components and subasemblies. The plate turned up on eBay (US) several years ago.

What part is W8 - 110.59 - 10 - 1 . . .; does the Kontrolle date suggest a Bf 110 C?