eBay: One late war Bf 109

[ouidjat]

Hello Gents,

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Rumanien-Sehr...item1c39fa167f

Regards, Franck.

[muggs_ro]

Is there any chance to identify the crashed Bf 109 ?

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Ha Franck, a great shot indeed and a very frustrating one also. The W.Nr. is to be seen in the usual place at the base of the fin; unfortunately, it's the small numeral version, which can't be read... As for the camouflage, it's an odd melting pot: the spine line speaks for Mtt-Regensburg, but the blotches for Erla... Probably a repainted - and thus repaired ? - airframe.

As for the unit, I do think it sports the Eastern Front yellow tail band; "Grüner Winkel" is obviously a Stab plane, and I'm not knowledgeable enough to guess the unit. Time frame is quite clear thanks to the tall wooden tail; Summer 1944 and before July by judging the still standing crop...

Romania? I wonder which country's cap is wearing the sitting officer...

Cheers
Marc

[muggs_ro]

Yes, both the officer and the soldier are romanian !

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Thanks, muggs_ro.

I checked both JG 77 and JG 53 histories and was surprised to see how many Bf 109's of both units were lost in June-July 1944 over Romania. Literally dozens made belly landings. As we have thanks to Prien's work generally their W.Nr. but seldom their tactical markings, I don't know how to go beyond for pinpointing that particular machine. Sorry...

Cheers
Marc

[S Sheflin]

Hello Frank,

Your belly-landed Bf109 displays several interesting technical points: First, I believe that it is a Bf109G. Note the G-position of the fuel filler hatch and DF loop. Second, it features a tall tail unit. From this view I can’t be certain if it is wooden or metal, though I lean toward it’s being a wooden tail unit because it lacks an obvious seam where the replacement metal cap would be attached. Finally, I think that it once carried a replacement-type Erla-Haube. Note what appears to be a section of the tubular mounting bracket found only on replacement Erla-Hauben. This is visible on the sloped rear part of the cockpit near the left arm of the sitting male.

Though not conclusive, its technical details would point to its not being a particularly late-war accident.

Steve Sheflin

[ouidjat]

Thanks Steve,

"Late war Bf 109" is a Marc "trademark" and, indeed, doesn't mean the last days of the war but the last Bf 109 G series; you know the most produced ever while the least known.
Which is exactely Marc's aim ( Anders and I too).
Hence, a 1943 Bf 109 G-6 will be a "One late war Bf 109".

Your description is quite good. I agree with the wooden tail. How many WNr. digits do you count ? I count 5 digits.

Do you agree with JG 77, as a possibility?? Summer 1944 in Rumania?

Regards, Franck.

[muggs_ro]

I contacted the seller through a friend to ask if there was any writing on the back but unfortunately it's not the case, by looking at the losses JG 52 is also a good candidate, but again as with JG 53 and 77 there is no exact match.

[ouidjat]

Mulţumesc Mihai!!

I like that JG 52 idea too ...