Gunther Specht's Bf 109G-5/AS, W.Nr.110 064

[veltro]

Great post, Carl!

First of all, AFAIK, you are the first who are shedding some light on the G-5/AS version, and considering that "only" 65 years have passed, it is no small fact...

With what you have written we can safely assume that in practice, the G-5/AS was nothing but "upgraded" to G-6/AS standards, by removing any pressurization capability.

This is perfectly coherent with what reported so far, i.e. that technically the plane(s ?) flown by Specht had a G-5 Werke Nummer, but did show no pressurization possibilities (evidenced by the cockpit airscoop which I underlined and which you clearly explained how and why it was applied and by the fact that no Erla hood with pressurization capabilities did exist), in fact being much more a G-6 than a G-5.

Many thanks also for the precious details on camouflaging which shows once again how to know production details often allows to know how this affected their painting and final look.

Six concise paragraphs to bring Bf 109 research one step beyond... a fantastic result IMHO!

[Rasmussen]

Originally Posted by Charles Bavarois

As Jochen said, Werknummer 110064 was a G-5 from Erla-Leipzig with first BAL acceptance on 10. Jan. 1944.

Often it was the final BAL acceptance. Many so-called "Werksflüge" or acceptance flights were in the two weeks (roundabout) before this date.

Originally Posted by Charles Bavarois

As Leipzig built no AS-aircraft at that time, it presumably was a regular G-5 with DB 605 A engine.

Not "presumably" but for sure ...

Originally Posted by Charles Bavarois

The color of the fixed canopy is of a bright pale shade, as is most of the airframe. The darker colors are painted on very crudely and they avoid the markings. This is typical for AS-engined aircraft from Erla-Antwerpen, which were delivered in 76 all over and sometimes got more camo only at unit-level. For that reason, the splinter-camo on the wings have an unusually bright (76) background color.

This practise (the all over RLM 76 camo) is nice to see on pictures in the Jean Dillen - book on p.138, 146, 148 (... the pictures are bad but it seems all AS-machines). It was the normal painting of machines when they were flown and tested in Leipzig.

Originally Posted by Charles Bavarois

I assume the newly built G-5 was sent directly from Leipzig to Antwerpen for installing the AS-engine, which was not unique btw. Perhaps Rasmussen can help us with this issue.

Your supposition is correct ... the new built a/c's were transfered to Antwerpen directly - sometimes on air, sometimes on train (I'd guess with the RLM 76 - factory camo).

Best regards
Rasmussen

[veltro]

The magic Erla duo has hit again...

Carl and Jörg, thanks very much on behalf of those interested to the Bf 109.

[kettbo]

Great posts and awesome information here gents!

[Rasmussen]

Originally Posted by Charles Bavarois

I do not know, whether the Baureihenbezeichnung of such aircraft was changed from G-5 to G-6. But I don’t think so, as in spite of lacking the compressor, the airframe itself remained different in many ways to G-6. As for Spechts aircraft, I’ll tend to the Baureihenbezeichnung ”G-5/U2 AS”

.

addendum:

Such an designation I hadn't found --- the "Industrielieferplan Umbauprogramm SoA F 2" from 06.August 1944 (for example) mentioned an G-5/AS and an G-5/R2/AS (... and an G-6/U2/AS). Erla itself didn't use the designation "G-5/U2" (IIRC).

Regards
Rasmussen

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Great, simply great!

Thank you both so much, Jörg and Ferdinando: Bf 109 research at it's highest level

Cheers
Marc

[Rasmussen]

Originally Posted by Marc-André Haldimann

Great, simply great!

Thank you both so much, Jörg and Ferdinando: Bf 109 research at it's highest level

Cheers
Marc

Don't forget Carl ...

[Oberst]

Everybody in this thread deserves a huge thank you! This type of information is absolutely priceless!

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Au Wei!

Sorry Carl!
When will the three of you put together your knowledge in an authoritative late-war Bf 109 book? That'll do my day;-)))

And thanks to you Oberst, for starting the ball rolling.

Cheers
Marc

[Oberst]

Hello all,

I have 3 questions;

1. Has the yellow RVD band ever been confirmed?
2. Has the yellow lower cowl ever been confirmed?
3. Has the iron cross ever been confirmed as being painted
On the cowl?

Thanks in advance.