Mirrors on Bf 109

[Adam]

Hello,

Can anyone provide details on the units which predominantly relied on mirrors for the 109s and whether this field application lasted beyond the E series? I'm particularly interested in whether mirrors were applied to later series 109s (or even 190s) that were used in the reconnaissance role, although any info on later series aircraft would be appreciated.

TIA

Adam

[Kurt Braatz]

I remember pictures of E-series 109s of II. and III./JG 52 in early 1940, i. e. before the Franch campaign started, having mirrors mounted on their windshield frames. All the German fighter pilots I know regard mirrors as ridiculous. As Julius Meimberg put it: "When you see the other guy in your mirror, you're dead."

[Micke D]

I think I have seen that Anton Hackl had a "home made" mirror on one of his Fw 190's.

[Andy Saunders]

Meimberg's comments are interesting because "Ben" Bennions of 41 Squadron, 1940, told me once "You couldn't see a b.... thing in the mirror because vibration just gave you an impossibly fuzzy nothingness of a reflection". Geoffrey Page was equally dismissive saying the only use was to check that the erk had got off the tail!

[FalkeEins]

..you'll find pics of G-6s with mirrors mounted on the opening section of the Erla canopy in the JG 300 books - especially III./JG 300 circa July 44 engaged in home defence. According to one pilot quoted they were an essential mod since they spent more time struggling to check their six for P-51s than they ever did looking forwards ....

[Franek Grabowski]

I have seen photos of I/JG52 aircraft with mirrors. Bretnuetz's one (JG53) had a mirror as well.
I have never used them, but I do not think they were that useless, as they remained in use. Some pilots even modified them to fit their needs, they would not bother if it was of no use for them.

[Adam]

Many thanks to all.

Franek, do you know what series Bretnuetz' aircraft was?

regards

Adam

[Franek Grabowski]

No, I do not remember, but photos of the aircraft were published by Many Souffan in Replic magazine.

[ChrisS]

Hi Adam

Go to Falcon's superb site:

http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de

go to search (suchen) on the left hand side menu and type Bretnutz in the pilots box (Alle Piloten) at the bottom of the list.

Hope this helps

Chris

[ChrisS]

Hi Adam

I think JG 53 had a few adherents: Hptm von Maltzahns and Hptm Rudolf Lochner's Bf 109 Emil White 6 had a mirror (picture in the Prien Rodeike book) as did von Bulow's machine, and colour pictures of Gruppenstab III/JG 3 Green 3 with a mirror, however they didn't seem to migrate enmass onto the F version (although I do have pictures of two unidentified JG 53 F varients with mirrors).

Attached is Yellow 10 of III/JG 53 1940
Source: Rod's Warbirds

Hope this helps

Chris