Question about the markings on the Bf109F-1 of Werner Mölders during the last quarter of 1940

[Oberst]

Do you have source for the rudder foto for this ME 109 F1? Becouse even figure bottom two rows have 12 second from top 10 top 6, thats 40 kills. How big is this ME 109 F1 rudder(?). I have been a big fan of Molders aircraft.

[Clint Mitchell]

The top row has twelve kill markings the next has more because there is more space with even more space for the next row....and so on...

12 top row
16
18
20
7

First photo: http://www.network54.com/Forum/14967...09+F-1+and+F-2

[Oberst]

Hello and thank you. Between the foto in this thread, and the one in your link, its a different rudder. I point your direction to the very top of the rudder in foto above. See kill marks? But I agree probably more then 35 ish.

Kindest Regards.

[Clint Mitchell]

Yes, I agree they are in a slightly different position but I was posting to show just how many could be crammed onto a rudder.

[Don Pearson]

In close-ups of this rudder (which is yellow), 56 marks can be counted in the top 4 rows. Google "moelders rudder" images and a few pop up.

Don

[Oberst]

Mr.Pearson,

With great respect I google as you say, found many rudders, none with concrete dates. Correction, found I plastic model rudder, but again no foto to back up.

So I see with foto above as best possibilty.

This is fasinating subject!

[Stig Jarlevik]

Guys

I have looked in the book Mölders by Obermaier/Held and checking the rudder on page 129 (victory kills 51 visible), that rudder shows small roundels above the victory bars. They don't appear on Oberst photo, which leads me to believe the photo by Oberst is later. On page 132 the same aircraft shows 54 victories, again with roundels above the bars.
Mölders only scored 1 more victory in 1940, and that was Dec 1st. After that Mölders had a couple of months winter holiday and was not back again until ca February 1941. I don't know exactly when he received his new F-2, but on or about June 10, 1941 there is a sphoto on page 155 which matches Oberst photo and carries 68 victory bars without any roundels above the bars.

Having said all this I believe, unfortunately for Larry, that Oberst photo shows Mölders 109F sometime during ther spring of 1940 carrying some 60+ victory bars.

Cheers
Stig

[Clint Mitchell]

Hi Stig, do the photos you mention showing 51 and 54 victories on the rudder give any indication as to whether Geschwaderstab markings are applied to the aircraft?

[Rob Romero]

How can one tell an F-1 from an F-2?

When did he receive the F-2?

Do we have a Werk No. for the F-2?

Thanks,

Rob Romero

[ahafan]

hello
well Molders..had 56 dec 29th 40-this dates around jan feb 41 snow fell feb 41