Bf 109K Data Plate Location

[bavgan]

Hello,

Does anybody know the location of the manufacturer's data plate on the Bf 109K fuselage?

Regards,

Batur

[stephen f. polyak]

Although I have not confirmed the K's main plate location by period photographs, it is known that on all prior series 109s the airframe main plate was fitted externally to various locations (but often standard for specific 109 model and manufacturer block) on the left side of the fuselage, within the general area aft of the engine cowling up to the cockpit.

Anyone have a photo showing a main plate on a Bf 109 K?

[harrison987]

Hi Batur...

Of all the Me109K pics I have seen, I have never seen a data tag on the outside of the fuselage like other Me109's had...so no clue where it would be .

mike

[bavgan]

Thank you for the replies. I have never seen a manufacturer's plate on a K either Mike.

One more question: The name of the factory which built the Bf 109 was written on the early style main data plates (the long rectangular ones). "Erla Maschinenwerk G.m.b.H. Leipzig" was written on Erla builts, while "Wiener-Neustadter Flugzeugwerke Ges.m.b.H." was on the data plates of WNF built 109s. In addition to the Erla, WNF and Arado, many 109s were produced at the Messerschmitt Werke Regensburg plant. Do you know what was written on the data plates of MTT Reg. built 109s?

Regards,

Batur

[bavgan]

Getting back to Bf 109K-4 data plate location, do you think this is a manufacturer's main data plate under the canopy?

[S Sheflin]

Hello all,

Does anyone else realize what that photo depicts? This is an ultra rare Erla-built K-4 with a WNr. of 570 37_! This is only the second one I have seen documented. What a great photo, Bavgan. Thanks.

Steve Sheflin

[S Sheflin]

Bavgan,

I got so excited by your new K-4 photo that I forgot to answer your initial question. Yes, I believe that that is a factory ID tag, applied in the typical "Erla" position. Again, what a great photo.

Steve Sheflin

[veltro]

Originally Posted by S Sheflin

This is an ultra rare Erla-built K-4 with a WNr. of 570 37_! This is only the second one I have seen documented.

And it shows that apparently Erla-built K-4s had the same rectangular panel (and eventually no chin bulges and differently machined upper and lower engine cowl) than on their peculiar G-10s...!

Many thanks to Bavgan from me too...

[harrison987]

HI Batur,

Personally, I do not think that is a data plate. It is almost all white. Of course, one could say it was glare form the sun reflecting off a black plate, but the sun glare is on the back of the plane, just near the swastika.

I suspect it is a US ID or tag added at wars end (common to see ID's, notes, etc. on captured aircraft).

Mike

[Micke D]

Very interesting all dark kamouflage.