A strange Bf 109E...

[Aziraphale]

Guys,

First of all: How do you see it is a Bf 109 T? I'm not so firm with 109 versions so I'd just like to have that fixed.

Perhaps a dumb question, but: What would be the reason to attach a smoke generator externally?
1. The heat it generates
2. Space for it
3. Jettisonable
As it doesn't seem that there is much space in the lengthy thing for containing the fuel to burn (plus this wouldn't be sensible considering the attachment of it) I'm not so sure about it being a smoke generator.

I absolutely am against a possible use as a launching rail - just watch the direction the thing is facing when the aircraft is in flight. It's facing a dead angle for the pilot.

Has anybody ever thought of this as some kind of electronic device?
("Mausi" pops up in the back of my head...)
Possible reasons for an electronic device:
1. Parallel inclination to flight path not necessarily important
2. The type of attachment (only two fixation points for such a long device)
3. The one employed by the Grumman OV-1D Mohawk reminds me of it...
4. Needs to be free of obstacles - so an external attachment is sensible
5. The aircraft employed could be an indication for electronic testing as well - in late WWII a Bf 109 E/T was not really competitive any more and could therefore have been an ideal testbed for single engine (Bf 109) attachment of this device. IIRC Werneuchen was the E-Stelle for electronic equipment - did anybody try to make the link already? Did they have Bf 109 E/T?

What do you think?

Cheers, Azi.

Edit: Thought of an additional reason...