Archeology / identification

[gilles collaveri]

Hi again Andy,

I checked the size of the "door" (wing panel ?) : roughly 0.5 X 1.50 but approx because it is quite crushed. Some paint markings on in it "nicht... e.." I would then say "nicht betreten" (do not walk) thus going into your direction of wing panel more than a landing gear door.

Marking on the ammunitions:
37 P15 S 1
36 P 18 S 6
36 P 18 S 6

I suppose 36/37 is the year ?

If you want I can post more pictures of parts if it can help identify.
Which parts would be best for that ?

Date of crash/name of pilot: very good points !
I am trying to get these but it is not easy: all the elderly people have disappeared. I called the local cityhall this morning and they "may" have some more news later this week. I shall keep you posted of what I get.

Best regards.

Gilles

[Andy Saunders]

Yes, Nicht Betreten or Nicht Anfassen, perhaps?

From the dates on the munitions it would appear to be a fairly early crash.

Look for strips of alloy about 3.5 cm wide and inspect them for stamped numbers (perhaps four digits) as this could be the Werke Nummer. It looks as if you have some parts like that in the collection you have.

However, finding the W.Nr might not help greatly, especially as this seems to be an early crash and identification from the W.Nr alone could be a problem.

Do I see two coins in the debris?

I think I can also see part of the instrument panel mounted compass, but not sure.

Certainly seems you are in an area where there could be evidence to identify the pilot and/or aircraft.

[gilles collaveri]

Hi Andy,

no Wnr found on the parts. They are so crushed. The only marking I saw was "VDM" (see last picture) so this is most probably a blade portion.

See pictures herewith: if you can recognize any component ?

Yes, there are two coins but not related to Me109: Napoleon 10cts coins found on the same place.

Thanks, best regards

Gilles

[gilles collaveri]

Andy,

you were right: Me109.

Tyre size plate confimrs this (see hereabove).

650 X 150 was Me109 size.

whereas Me110 tyre size was 815 X 290 or bigger.

All the best.

GC

[Andy Saunders]

No, in respect of the piece you thought was a propellor part - although VDM made propellors and related equipment they made other parts as well.

The piece in your hand looks to me like quite thin magnesium alloy? Not a piece of propellor. Possibly a portion of wheel?

The dates on the ammunition make me think this is an early 1940 loss.

I realise that you may not want to give away the location, understandably, but a town or village it is near may give further clues to help make an identification - especially to someone like Peter Cornwell or Larry Hickey. However....if it is near Toulouse then this is a very long way away from where one might have expected such a loss during the Western Campaign of 1940! I am assuming what you have found is a long way from there?

Yes, I thought the tyre size sounded about right for a 109.

Thank you for confirming I was right!!! ;-)

Gilles - I think you tried to PM me? I have now cleared space for you to message me.

[gilles collaveri]

No problem: the crash happened in the French Pyrenees mountains, near Lourdes: could this Me109 be a Legion Kondor one ?

GC

[Andy Saunders]

Gilles

No idea!!

Hopefully others will be able to come up with some suggestions for an identity.

Andy

[harrison987]

Hi Andy and Gilles!

These parts are 100% identifyable as Me109E



The Armour - That shape and style is only Me109 E (not F or G)

The Oval Wing Hatch - Specific to Me109 E as the were design was changed in the F

The part of large skin (indicated as the gear door) shows wing ribs that are 100% the desgn type of the Me109E.

So 100% Me109E, and not F or G.



Mike

[gilles collaveri]

thanks Mike;

now, I "only" need to find the date and the pilot's name.

I keep you posted.

Cheers.

GC

[Andy Saunders]

Having dug up a good few....I can safely concur with Mike.

Certainly a 109-E.

The 36/37 ammo is interesting, although I have found the same dates on Battle of Britain UK wrecks. I think the earliest I have seen was 1935.