Bf109 Neubau 1/44 to 3/45

[George Hopp]

Fact: there was planned to built by Erla the K - 2 ... but: the plan was from November 1943. In January 1944 nobody spoke about the K - 2 but the K-2/R3. In May the complete K-2/R3 production plan was shelved.

Off topic: If you look at the reports on the initial development of the 109K, you will see that it was simply meant to be a more streamlined 109G, still with the DB 605A, and usually equipped with GM-1. And, production was to begin in Jan '44. I guess that the developmental test results of the DB 605AS, as well as of the DB 605G (later DB 605AM) must have changed enough minds that the initial 109K was not proceeded with. At first the new additions to the 605A engine were used individually. The DB 605AS with its 603 supercharger, was installed into already built 109Gs, starting in early 1944, as Umbaus, to create a better high-level fighter. Then the DB 605AM was installed to create the 109G14 and a better low-level fighter. And finally, the 603 supercharger and methanol injection were combined in the DB 605D to be installed in the new 109K (as well as the 109G10), to create a more capable low-, medium-, and high-level fighter.