Me 109G-14 and FW 190S in Köthen, Germany 1945

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Hi to all,

Just stumbled on the following link with some great pictures of Me 109 G-14, FW 190S and Ju 86, photographed at Köthen, Germany, 1945.

http://www.soldiersmuseum.com/pages/...lery/index.htm

Scroll down, they are at the bottom of this page.

Any details rto add regaring those pictures?

Cheers

Marc

[Marc-André Haldimann]

After a quick check back, the FW 190 S-8 W.nr. 680430 shown at the foillowing link:
http://www.soldiersmuseum.com/pages/...armored-56.htm
is also probably depicted in Rodeike 1998, 372, but seen from the other side. If this is the case, Rodeike gives the unit as 1./JG 110.

Source: Rodeike 1998: Peter Rodeike, Focke-Wulf Jagdflugzeug, Fw 190A, Fw 190 "Dora" Ta 152H, Struve-Druck, Eutin.

[Kuba Plewka]

http://www.soldiersmuseum.com/pages/...armored-57.jpg

And this one, a G-10/U4 i suppose.

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Kuba,

Difficult to be sure: it has the short tailwheel, and even with my best will, I do not see for sure the enlarged wing fairings. I have rather the feeling he soldier is leaning against a small wing fairing. Only sure item is the DB 605D engine,a shown by the two small bulges under the engine cowliing. All told, could rather be a Me 109G-14/ASD.

Cheers

MArc

[Kuba Plewka]

Well, the angle at which that photo was taken makes any recognision difficult but fortunatelly some features are visible.
First, the MK 108 ammo box acces cover. It's raised. You can see it in front of a windscreen.
Then, the tailwheel leg. Lower one. Another feature typical for a WNF-built G-10's.
The wheel discs despite the flatten tyres makes me to think, they are 660x190, the larger ones.
Also this guy sitting on wing's bulge. Would smaller one look the same now?
For a moment I thought, that it could be a tricky K-4 with a lower tailwheel as seen on 334 xxx batch but I think, that battery is still present aft the cockpit even when it's cover is lost. That can eliminate K-4.

I'd rather choose a G-10/U4 after all, but I'm not a 100% sure.
Even if I cannot see the cold start device cover now to confirm the expected DB 605 D presence.

cheers
Kuba

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Dobro Kuba!

Ok, the ammo box cover lifted is an excellent pointer I oversaw, so definitely a /U4. Was there any G-14/U4 subtype? The K-4 issue is a bit more nagging; I discarded this possibility because of the short tailwheel (obvious)and the seemingly small wing bulges (no clear answer). But, we should see the D/F loop ito the right of the soldier f it's a G model we're looking at. Well, nothing to be sure of, but this could point to the K-4 positioning for the D/F loop, one section behind hte G position.

It is unfortunate that so little certainty can be gained with such a sharp and high resolution photograph.

To make that point, did you notice on the the next photograph
http://www.soldiersmuseum.com/pages/...armored-51.htm

that this seemingly formless mass of wrecked airframes in the distance does reveal very clearly a 109K-4?

Thanks for your input!

Cheers

Marc

[Kuba Plewka]

Hello Marc!

There were in fact a G-14/U4 built but those had a AM engine and classic Beule in front of windscreen.
This one on discussed photo had a AS or D engine covers. There were no AS engined MK 108 armed Gustavs as far as I know.

On that second photo, yes it's a K-4 definitely. The fuselage radio access panel is removed and it's position is clearly seen. Such a pity, the distance was so great. The late K-4 camouflage is visible too. Maybe it's no more than illusion but I think the three digit number relating to it's Werknummer is also hand painted on the fuselage.

There is also a Dora among those photographs. I don't want to make a funny mistake but isn't it a Hohenberg's W.Nr.210194?

Excellent photos, that Jagdpanzer IV L-70 is also exciting!


all the best!
Kuba

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Hi Kuba,

Agreed, on would wish to zoom sharply for that K-4 in the distance!

As for the D-9, you're right! Eric kindly confirmed this.

I just got hold of another G, my guess would be G-14, but I'm getting cautious:
http://www.97thdivision.com/pictures/13.jpg

What's your opinion?

Cheers

Marc

[Kuba Plewka]

What a beauty!
An Erla-built G-14 I think. Unfortunatelly there is no accu or it's cover but there is one uncovered opening on the right side of fuselage spine (the lower one) and the Morane mast.
The typical Erla underwing crosses also help to identify it as a G-14.
What I like most on this photo is the ammo belt spread on the propeller blade.

Nice one

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Kuba,

Thanks! Glad to be correct this time :-)

I'll keep you infomed if I discover other late 109 pics on the net.

Cheers

Marc