Need photo of Bf-109 E7 Gelbe 10 werknr 4176

[SOkland]

Dear forum members,

I’m looking for an authentic photo of this particular Messerschmidt:

Bf-109 E7, «Gelbe 10», werknr 4176.

I know it is a long shot asking for this, but maybe…  Photo needed for article purposes.

Best regards
SOkland

[ouidjat]

Are you sure it's a Messerschmidt (sic) !

[Chris Goss]

A unit and/or date might help you

[Rottler]

No photo but Gen.Qu. loss report from February 14, 1941 No. 11:

11.2. III./JG 2 Heimatverlust, kein Feindflug Flugplatz Bernay Bauchlandung infolge Bedienungsfehler Bf 109 E-7 4176 60%.

Regards
Leo

[SOkland]

Thanks Leo,

Is it possible to find the pilot when this happened? This is the plane in which Paul Reichardt crashed in the Langenuen fjord in Norway 30.03.42. Is it possible that Reichardt also where involved in the Bernay incident? I'm trying to track the plane and Reichardt's service records during the war for article purposes.

Thank you so much for your help!

Regards
SOkland

[sidney]

Originally Posted by SOkland

Thanks Leo,

... This is the plane in which Paul Reichardt crashed in the Langenuen fjord in Norway 30.03.42.

If the sentence above refers to the Bf 109 E-7 4176 reportedly damaged in the accident on 11 February 1941, with the damage assessment being 60%, than it is not the same aircraft as the one lost on 30 March 1942.

This is because the 60% damage is a write off, so that particular aircraft never flew again. Except in pieces, that is.

[Rasmussen]

I have Paul Reichardt with W.Nr.4167 not 4176...

[Merlin]

The initial damage level of 60% due to the accident on 11.02.41 must have been downgraded later. The aircraft became repaired by the Gerner factory at Frankfurt-Rebstock and Anton Riediger made the acceptance flight on 11.11.41 after repair.

The aircraft than went to Norway were it crashed into the sea due to engine failure on 30.03.42 by 3./JG 5 killing the pilot Gefr. Paul Reichardt.

Finally I have the WNr. 4167 two time in spring 1943, this could not have been the aircraft of Reichardt.

[SOkland]

Thank you all for your comments, guys.

When Paul Reichardt from 3./JG 5 crashed in the Langenuen fjord 30.03.1942, he was flying a Bf-109 E-7 werknr 4176 (?). The werknr might be 4167 as some of you guys have pointed out. According to «Luftwaffe Fighters and Fighter Bombers Over the Far North” by Kjetil Åkra, the Staffel colours used by 3./JG 5 at this time would be yellow numbers with black outlines.

We found this in the log of one the German ships in the convoy in Langenuen fjord 30.03.1942:

Kriegstagebuch des 11. Minensuchflottille (M-1101) 30.03.1942 : “Jäger Nr. 10 bei Skaarleuchtfeuer im Langenuen abgestürzt und gesunken."

So I figured (perhaps I’m wrong?) that “Gelbe 10” would be the correct marking on the Reichardt’s plane when crashing in the fjord. I was then keen to see if it was possible to find a photo of Bf-109 E7 werknr 4176 with a yellow 10 on it. If there ever was a photo, it should have been taken in early 1942. After JG 5 was established, and of course no later than March 30.

Then a new reply from honourable Leo:

No photo but Gen.Qu. loss report from February 14, 1941 No. 11:
11.2. III./JG 2 Heimatverlust, kein Feindflug Flugplatz Bernay Bauchlandung infolge Bedienungsfehler Bf 109 E-7 4176 60%.

Of course, even if it was the same plane it would not have Gelbe 10 on it in 1941. My fault not to point this out.

In my other thread, asking for info on Paul Reichardt, Leo replied to me, referring to the Gen.Qu. loss report from April 1, 1942:

30.3. I./JG 5 Feindflug Ursache 20 (= Totalverlust ohne Feindeinwirkung) Pl.Qu. 50243/06 Ost Notlandung auf See Bf 109 E-7 4176 100% Gefr Paul Reichert vermisst. Correction from April 14, 1942: Gefr Reichert gefallen.

AND

In "Jagdfliegerverbände" Teil 7 is listed:
30.03.42 3./JG 5 Gefr Paul Reichard + Notwasserung, Pl.Qu. 50243 / 06 Ost, 65 km südlich Bergen, 100% Bf 109 E-7 4167.

So there seems to be mix-up between 4176 and 4167 in the sources, and as mentioned by Sidney, a 60% damage would be a write off for the plane crashing at Bernay in 1941. So it can’t be Reichardt’s plane on 30.03.1942.

Thanks, guys.

[SOkland]

Hi Gerhard,

So you say werknr 4176 is correct, and the aircraft that was damaged in Bernay in 1941 is the same Reichardt used when he crashed 30.03.42?

Best regards
SOkland