How did the Rüstsatz system work?

[harrison987]

Originally Posted by Denniss

Adding a Rüstsatz to a Bf 109 did not change the designation.
The G-6/R3 was a long-range recon bird with reduced armament (just cannon).
A standard 109G had no equipment installed to support underwing drop tanks.

That is what I said.

The Rüstsatz "field" kits were labelled with the letter "R" and a Roman numeral...as opposed to the Arabic Numeral. It also did not alter the the aircraft type. So an Me109 G-6 with Rüstsatz II (50 kg/110 lb bombs) remained an Me109 G-6 and not G-6/R2, which was a reconnaissance fighter with MW 50.

Adding the equipment in the field did not change it's "official" designation.

The underwing drop tanks were available from the G2 through the the G8. And there is at least one report mentioning a G6/R3 with wing drop tanks.

The G6/R3 designation you mention as only having a single cannon is not correct, as there are numerous photos of the G6/R3 with the dual MG131

As I said, it was a confusing system, and the same designations had different meanings for some of the models.