Messerschmitt Bf109E-7

[David Brown]

When Isaw this picture of a 109E, I immediately thought it was a 109E-7. The description below the photo indicated that it was a Bf109E-4/N of 1./JG 27 [Reference: German Aircraft of the Second World War, Smith & Kay, 1972, p.476]

Based on various reference books, I was under the impression the only difference between an E-4 and an E-7 was the drop tank which in this case can be clearly seen in the photograph. In fact, the Smith& Kay book mentioned this very distinction just above the photograph.

Is it possible that the aircraft in the photograph was modified with an external tank in the field and thereby kept it's E-4 designation?....or am I missing something?

[olefebvre]

It's an E-7 (E-4/B with droptank support) w/o a DB601N, possibly an /U3 given the strange bulge underneath.

[David Brown]

According to the photograph caption, the bulge below the "White 12" designation is a camera pod. So maye this aircraft is actually E-9 .

[olefebvre]

Yes the E-7/U3 used two Rb12.5/7x9 but the E-9 used the Rb50/30 in a similar fashion as the later F/G recce a/c i.e w/o such a bulge.

[John Beaman]

Oliver:

Other sources say the bulge below the fuselage is for the Pfeil 7 navigation system.

John

[brewerjerry]

Hi,
I go with the E-7/U3 theory, or a very similar local mod.
E-9's carried the RB 50/30 , which as I understand it, If fitted as per the photo, it would be impossible to change the camera cassette.
The RB 50 /30 had to fit between frame 2 & 3 , and the cassette removed/ fitted via the cockpit over the pilots seat/headrest area.
If I am wrong can any experts please correct me as I have a great interest in this installation on E-7's, especially Wn4970.
Cheers
Jerry

P.S. I type to slow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ..................

[David Brown]

Were field modifications done to E-4 versions regarding the additon of an external drop tank or was this modification left solely to the factories?

[Kuba Plewka]

Gentlemen

This bulge under the fuselage is a cover of antenna for Peil (Peil from "peilen" not Pfeil) G IV for a FuG VIIa radio set.
It's something similar in destination like later used ZVG 16 direction finder device for FuG 16Z radio (with it's PR 16 loop antenna). Rarely seen on Emils (I recollect three or four machines with that) it was rather used on Stukas.

That mount for a 300 l. tank was different than ETC 500 (and other bomb racks) used on Emils "B". Bf 109 E-4/B could not carry the tank when with ETC 500/IXb.

If I could make a guess - it's rather E-7 or E-4 rebuilt to E-7 standard keepin' it's original W.Nr.

I'm interested more in technical aspects of o'nine and maybe I'am wrong with unit's equipment, but I remember information, that I./JG 27 was equipped with E-4/N in majority.
So - here comes the riddle - was it E-4/N's or E-4's updated with tank instalation but retained their Werknummern? Or just one of a few E-7 is photographed?
I'm preety confused too.

[George Hopp]

It's something similar in destination like later used ZVG 16 direction finder device for FuG 16Z radio (with it's PR 16 loop antenna). Rarely seen on Emils (I recollect three or four machines with that) it was rather used on Stukas.

It's a small thing, Kuba, but the fixed loop with the FuG 16Z was not a direction finding device, but a homing device. With a DF loop (as you mentioned was used on the early-war a/c including the Stuka) you normally have a compass-like indicator that shows the direction of the station from your a/c. With the homing loop, you simply get an indication of which direction to turn to get to the tuned in station, together with 3-point indication of distance.

[George Hopp]

The RB 50 /30 had to fit between frame 2 & 3 , and the cassette removed/ fitted via the cockpit over the pilots seat/headrest area.
If I am wrong can any experts please correct me as I have a great interest in this installation on E-7's, especially Wn4970.
Cheers
Jerry

From the various 109s camera installations I have seen, you are absolutely correct, Jerry. And, if a MW-50 tank was carried, the camera would be installed ahead of that tank, and the tank capacity reduced from 85ltr to 75ltr.