Bf109G-6 of Heinz Knoke

[Cpt_Farrel]

Edit: I re-read what I wrote and it's a bit messy - I'm really tired, sorry, I hope you see what I mean


Hi all, got Jagdfliegerverbände 10/II today and was glad to find a to me unknown photo of one of the Bf109G-6's flown by Heinz Knoke. There are at least three photos of this aircraft, one with the entire Staffel in front and two showing smaller groups of pilots. The one in JFV 10/II shows that this G-6 was a very early one with open wheel-well for the tailwheel.

Then there's a fourth photo showing the tail of Knokes 109 (The wellknown one with white rudder and tail showing 9 kills). I'm quite certain that the photo shows the same aircraft as the others, at least everything points in that direction. The problem is though, that the Wrk.Nr is hard to read in the photo, it does look as if it starts with 20 or 26 which would indicate an Erla or WNF built aircraft. According to Prien though, these aircraft had the shorter antenna mast and D.F. loop while Knokes aircraft has the tall mast and no D.F. loop.

Does anyone know the correct Wrk.Nr for this aircraft or do you know who built these, possibly converted G-2/G-4's with open tail-wheelwell?

The pictures shows mostly what I need but to more accurately pin down the camoflage of the wings I'd like to try and find out which factory built this aircraft.

Thanks in advance! / Anders