IV/JG 4 Bf 109 captured by Soviet forces 1945

[Cpt_Farrel]

Nice timing, posted at the same moment... I agree that the camo looks a little like WNF but there's no chin bulges. The only aircraft built by WNF with a tall tailunit were the G-10's which means that the combination of lacking chin bulges and tall tailunit rules out the WNF option.

I suspected that you were away somewhere, Amman sounds nice and warm.

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Nah, UNESCO Conference in a hotel it means...And outside temperature varies between 10 to 20 degrees Celsius;-))

As for our bird, didn't WNF Wiener Neustadt produce other planes then the know W.Nr. 610 - 612 blocks? Can't go back to my library as it is 3000 miles out...

Cheers
Marc

[Cpt_Farrel]

The other WNF WNr block with tall tail 109's was the 77xxxx series but those were G-10's as well which this one cannot be unless it's the Erla variant.

[Charles Bavarois]

Hello Guys,

a little photoshoping will show the distinct "GM-1"-hatch just above the code. So this bird is an Erla-built G-10 or G-10/R6.

The a/c has two features, which may narrow the possible manufacturing date: underwing Balkenkreuze of the old style and a non-retractable high tail wheel. Perhaps Rasmussen can help us.

Greetings

Carl

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Thanks Carl!

Anders, you owe me a beer, as I owe one to Carl;-)). Inch Allah Rasmussen will drop in...

Cheers
Marc

[Cpt_Farrel]

What? I've been saying Erla all along! I'm not sure about the significance of the hatch though, I thought all those hatches were present on Erla built G-14's as well? I believe that the early underwing balkenkreuz was gone when the G-10 production began but I'm not sure. I'm leaning more and more towards Erla built G-14.

Meanwhile I'll hold out on that beet Marc

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Ah Anders,

you're battering our G-10 stronghold then
Ok, let's move towards the keg of beer for the Erla G-10 or G-14 contest

Who will be the referee then;-))

Cheers
Marc

[Cpt_Farrel]

Ok, just to avoid confusion, I've checked some references and all visible hatches on Black 15 can also be seen on regular Erla built Bf109G-14's. The old style outlined cross on the undersurface of the wing does not rule out an early Erla built G-10.

Looking at the light conditions in the photo I think the large beule of a G-10 would have been quite clearly visible. So, it's got to be an Erla built Bf109G-14. JG4 flew the type until the end...

Cheers! / Anders

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Keg is ready...in Amman

Thanks and cheers
Marc

[John Beaman]

Some circumstantial evidence that it is likely an Erla machine: in what losses we have for the gruppe through March '45, Erla machines outnumber Mtt 4 to 1.