Battle of Britain Bf109E found in India a few years ago?

[Dénes Bernád]

I thought there was no swastika on the fin...

All of Stab./JG 53's planes immediately were stripped of their "Pik As" insignia, and soon after the whole of the Stab./JG 53 had also stripped the swastikas off the tails of their planes in protest. During this phase of the Battle of Britain, Stab.JG 53's planes were easily recognizable because of the red band and the absence of a swastika on the tail of their Bf-109's.

[joyban]

Hi,

On 30 September 1940 Major Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn became Kommodore and the Stab.JG53 was allowed to paint the "Pik As" back on their Bf-109's, removing the red band from their cowlings.

This particular crash took place on 2nd November 1940 so much after 30 September 1940....Also as in this picture you could see the Swastik, wether it was left from an earlier camofledge or not one cannot comment, but being so prominent it was still there while the Aircraft had crashed.



Also here inserted is the article on The Deccan Chronicle , Hyderbad Sept 28 1941 Sunday...

[RolandF]

It looks as if there are three swastikas on what´s left of the tailfin:
One in the early position overlapping fin and rudder and two in the later only-fin position, the second one not sharing the same angles which would only be possible if the first one had been overpainted and is no longer visible. This would confirm the JG 53 swastika story imo...

Regards

Fran

[joyban]

No. 6 Report No 3/139




source :- http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com/

[Andy Saunders]

Just to add some detail to the history of this aeroplane.

The aeroplane was removed by Air Ministry Contractor, Arthur V Nicholls Haulauge of Brighton, on 14 November 1940 and delivered to 49 MU Faygate later that same day. Items had already been removed by the Royal Artillery and RAF (from Hawkinge) and this included the gunsight and clock taken by the RA's and the compass taken by an officer from Hawkinge. Messrs A V Nicholls was authorised to retrieve these items from Lt Rowan and Capt Sturge of the RA's and the compass from Flt Lt Wallford at Hawkinge. Mr A V Nicholls viewed and surveyed the aircraft on 10 November and the Collection Order for the aircraft was No 266.

To the best of my knowledge this aeroplane was not one that went "on tour" around the UK for fund raising for the Spitfire Fund, War Weapons Weeks etc etc but seems, instead, to have been allocated for shipment overseas.

[Larry Hickey]

Andy,

Very interesting part of the story. Have you yet succeeded in locating any contemporary photos of this one in Britain before it went to India?

Regards,

[Andy Saunders]

Larry

Sadly, no I don't. It would be marvelous if one turned up.

Always looking.......!

[en830]

I made enquiries in the area when the 109 was first acquired. I got several accounts of the crash and a number of pictures of a field.

[Andy Saunders]

Ian

I would be very interested to see them - as would the current "custodian" of the Me 109.

Visiting the crash site to identify where it was and find witnesses was on my "to do" list. You may have saved me the trouble!

[ME-109E]

It would be nice to see this 109 left in its current condition and not stripped off its original paint, what are the plans with this 109 that *** ***** is looking after?