Adolf Gallands FS with wing guns 1941

[the_ivan]

In 1942 the wing of the Bf 109 was strengthened two times: in early 1942 (already planed in 1941 for late batches of F-4s) and late 1942 (starting with G-4 series, also in late batches of G-2s). This second time the fuselage was reinforced too (altogether, weight increased ~42 kg).

The wings were differentiated by plates on wing rib 1 noting the type of strengthening: "V" or "VE".

[George Hopp]

Thanks Roland and Ivan.
George

[Kutscha]

Roland and Ivan, thanks.

Another question: Do you know the skin thickness before and after and was the skin thickness increased for the whole span or just a part of the span?

[Harri Pihl]

Couple years ago we measured several wings of the Bf 109 around Finland (E-7, F-2, G-2 and G-6). I have the results hiding somewhere; but IIRC overall increase in the thickness of the wing skin was well over 50% (from F-2 to G-6) and particularly the part around the mainwheel got quite a lot of strenghtening.

The late F-4 wing seems to be practically same as the early G-2 wing.