Messerschmitt Bf109E-7

[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.

[George Hopp]

According to Mtt's "Verwendungsmöglichkeit des Jagdflugzeuges BF 109 E" of July 1940, the 109E-7 was designated as a "fighter, as well as dive bomber, with extended range." It could be fitted either with the bomb fairing for the 250/500 kg bomb, or four 50kg bombs; or with a 300ltr drop tank with a supplementary oil tank. (I think that the idea behind this a/c was to permit the carrying of either bombs or extra fuel, which I don't believe was possible for earlier models of the 109E.)

The report indicated that the loss of speed with the 500kg bomb was ca. 30km/h, and without ca. 7 km/h. And, with the drop tank caused a speed loss of ca. 12 km/h; without, 4 km/h (I would assume these values to be calculated).

And, from another report, it was noted that the a/c carried MG FF "M" wing guns.

[brewerjerry]

Originally Posted by George Hopp

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.

Hi George,
Many thanks for the reply , I didn't know the information about the smaller tank, most interesting.
Cheers
Jerry