Bf-109 G-1 in Stalingrad

[Pitomnik]

Hello !
This 2 parts of Bf-109 G-1 (high-altitude modification with a pressurized cockpit) canopy was found near Stalingrad .
G-1 has been made only in February, 1942. Only 167 pieces. All planes have been sent on the western front, and only a few in March, 1943 on East front in J.G.5 - but it is the north (Murmansk)! How could get in Stalingrad?
Any information is very interesting!
Many thanks for yours help !

[Rottler]

Hello Pitomnik,

only one loss of a Bf 109 G-1 in the Stalingrad area is known to me.
On Dec 17, 1942 the II./JG 52 transferred from Simowniki to Kotelnikowo. Because of an engine trouble the WNr. 14030 of 6./JG 52 made an emergency landing in Kotelnikowo, damaged 60%.

Regards
Leo

[Pitomnik]

Thank you Leo ))))
I think, after crush landind in Kotelnikowo - this canopy used on another Bf109 , and this plane will shot down near Stalingrad !

[mathieu]

Nice find! But it does not look like a crashpart, seems it is not realy damaged as one should expect after a crash.

[Pitomnik]

This part was found near infanterie buncker , no one airfield around 10 km.
All plexiglas windows are carefully removed, the screws are hung. Often plex used soldiers for crafts. Cigarette cases for example. Canopy parts were in a garbage pit, near the bunker. Canned cans, garbage, packets of cigarettes.
Many emergency landing plane on photos - without midle & back parts of canopy. I think - for fast evacuation.
Photo of one more canopy, was found in tundra...far..far..away from any airfield )))

[harrison987]

What makes you think it is from a G-1? There is no evidence of it being from a pressurized cockpit, and the rear armour mounts are standard G.

In addition...

MANY canopies survived when a pilot bailed out of an aircraft. I have found near PERFECT canopies, with only cracked plexiglass and some dents...that were FAR away from any airfield.

It was most likely scavenged and buried.

Mike

[Pitomnik]

Originally Posted by harrison987

What makes you think it is from a G-1? There is no evidence of it being from a pressurized cockpit, and the rear armour mounts are standard G.

In addition...

MANY canopies survived when a pilot bailed out of an aircraft. I have found near PERFECT canopies, with only cracked plexiglass and some dents...that were FAR away from any airfield.

It was most likely scavenged and buried.

Mike

Midle part - 100% from G-1.
You can compare schemes (pressurized canopy)and photo my canopy.

[harrison987]

The G-1, G3 and G5 were all pressurized...

"If" it was from a pressurized variant...I doubt it was G-1...most likely G3 or G5.

In addition...many pressurized features were on standard Me109's (canopy features, lack of vents, cowlings with bulges for compressor, etc.) ...so simply having those screws does not make it 100% from a pressurized Me109.



Mike

[harrison987]

As I said...

It is probably not G-1...

It could have been a G2, G4, G6 fitted with this canopy...which is most likely the case.

When the pressurized versions went into production, parts were interchangeable...and WERE interchanged.

I have been involved in many wreck recoveries where a standard G2 HAD G1 features...or a G6 had G5 features. This was quite common.

Where the item was found really has no bearing on the model type, as many captured aircraft were brought back to Russia for evaluation.

Simply because it was found in the Stalingrad area, does not mean it must be an early G fighting in Stalingrad. It could have been buried in the 1950's from a captured aircraft...or was simply left over as a spare part, as there is no evidence of any wreckage in the area.

This is most likely installed on a standard G...

[Pitomnik]

So ! Why are you sure - this can not be G-1 ??? G-3, G-5 and G-6 late models, were not exactly used in Stalingrad. The version "after war" - 100% not possible. It's found in the German bunker dump! Among the German war garbage. I will show additional photos of the elements that were used only on pressurized canopy.