Background of Bf109 F-4 Wnr. 12904

[gilles collaveri]

Dear all,

this 109F-4 (Wnr. 12904) crashed near Pau on the South of France on 16 May 1943 with his pilot on board.

Do any of the members of the board have any background on the history of this aircraft ?

TIA

GC

[ouidjat]

Salut Gilles,

Uffz. Viehmann; JGr. West; 100%. Plane exploding in flight; Bei Ossun.

Is that what you want? Nothing more I'm afraid.

Cheers, Franck.

[Xerumbe]

This aircraft was seen on fire around 11:15 am May 16, 1943 above Tarbes. An explosion took place and the plane fell at Ossun (1 km west of Tarbes airfield).
Unit : Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe West (Cazaux)
Pilot: Uffz. Erich Viehmann (D.o.B. 21.11.1921 @ Karlsbad)

Nothing more on my notes.

[gilles collaveri]

Thanks to both of you.

Franck, I found near Tarbes in the south west of France the remains a 109 F or G that I try to identify.
I believe it could be Wnr. 12904 but I am sure 100%
On this wreck, I found repairs (see pictures).

So, the aircraft I found had a life before its crash (it was probably hit during some fight, before going to JGruppe West).

Thus my question....

GC

[ouidjat]

Salut Gilles,

U're welcome.
I had no doubt it was something like that.
Thanks for the "Erich" Xerumbe.
BTW EJGr. West changed t's name for JGr. West on 30/11/42 so, on 16 May 1943 it was JGr. West.
... At least for me.

Regards. Good Hunt Gilles!

Franck.

[gilles collaveri]

Hi guys, and thanks for your comments Franck,

however, a question comes to my mind since I discovered yellow painting on some parts (cowling ?) and this makes rather think of an Arado 96.

SO, my question is :

did the 109 of JGruppe West had yellow painting ?

Or could this yellow color come from a previous life of this Wnr. 12904 ? (could it be a former JG2 a A/C ?)

cheers to all

GC

[ClinA-78]

Hello Gilles,

Cannot reply to your request but, usually, former - wornt - fighters used for training have seen frontline.
For instance Bf 109 F-2 9719, crashed in Belgium during ferry flight to JGr. Ost, served previously on Eastern front, testimoned by its yellow wingtip.

Best regards.

ClinA-78

[gilles collaveri]

Merci / thanks Nicolas;
good example I shall use for my report.
Gilles

[RolandF]

I´m quite sure the lower side of the engine cover including the cooler intake was kept in yellow in any case. This colour portion was standard.

Regards
RolandF