Germany's Messerschmitt Bf. 109 G, "Gustav" Fighter1,2

Messerschmitt Bf 109 G fighter:
Germany's Messerschmitt Bf 109 G fighter

Messerschmitt Bf 109 G1 fighter:
Germany's Messerschmitt Bf 109 G1 fighter

Messerschmitt Bf 109 G2 fighter:
Germany's Messerschmitt Bf 109 G2 fighter

Messerschmitt Bf 109 G6 fighter:
Germany's Messerschmitt Bf 109 G6 fighter

Messerschmitt Bf 109 G6 R6 fighter:
Germany's Messerschmitt Bf 109 G6 R6 fighter

Design

It was designed around the Daimler-Benz DB 605A engine and Bf 109 F airframe.2 Pressurization in the cockpit was provided for.2

There were many kits that could be installed in the factory or the field that allowed for different configurations to make a fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, and tropical versions.2

The first prototype, the Bf 109 G-0 was first completed in October 1941.2 The Bf 109 G-1 and the Bf 109 G-2 were first used in early summer of 1942.2

Production

The Bf 109 G was produced in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Romania.2

Variants

Usage

It was used by Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, and Switzerland in World War II.2

  Bf 109 G1,2 Bf 109 G-22 Bf 109 G-62 Bf 109 G-8 to G-162 Bf 109 G-102 Bf 109 G-142
Type Fighter1, Fighter-Bomber2     Fighter-bomber2    
Crew 11,2     12    
Engine (Type) Daimler-Benz DB 605A-11 up to DB 605D1 Daimler-Benz DB 605A2 Daimler-Benz Db 605AM2 Daimler-Benz DB 605A, DB 605AM, DB 604AS, DB 605ASB, or DB 605D2
With MW50 methanol-water or GM1 nitrous-oxide boost.2
   
Cylinders Inverted V-121 Inverted V-122   Inverted V-122    
Cooling Liquid1          
Net HP 605A-1: 1,4751
605D: 1,800 with MW50 boost1
1,4752 1,8002 1,800-2,0002    
Propeller 3 blade2     3 blade2    
Dimensions            
Span 32' 6.5"1,2
9.92 m1,2
    36' 6.5"2
9.92 m2
   
Length 29' 7.5"2, 29' 8"1
9.03 m2, 9.04 m1
    29' 7.5"2
9.03 m2
   
Height 8' 2.5"2, 8' 6"1
2.5 m2, 2.59 m1
    8' 2.5"2
2.5 m2
   
Weight            
Empty 5,880 - 6,180 lb1
2,667 - 2,800 kg1
5,687 lb2
2,580 kg2
5,893 lb2
2,673 kg2
     
Loaded 7,496 lb1
3,400 kg1
6,834 lb2
3,100 kg2
6,940 lb2
3,148 kg2
  7,700 lb2
3,493 kg2
 
Max overload     7,496 lb2
3,400 kg2
     
Performance            
Speed 353 - 428 mph1
569 - 690 kph1
         
Speed @ sea level     340 mph2
547 kph2
  342 mph2
550 kph2
 
Speed @ 22,640' / 6,900 m     386 mph2
621 kph2
     
Speed @ 24,280' / 7,400 m         426 mph2
685 kph2
 
Climb 2,700 - 4,000'/min1   3,346'/min2
1,020 m/min2
     
Service ceiling ~38,000'1
~11,600m1
  37,890'2
11,500 m2
  41,175'2
12,550 m2
 
Range 365-460 miles1   350 miles2
563 km2
  350 miles2
563 km2
 
Range with drop tanks     620 miles2
998 km2
     
Armament            
Above engine   2: 7.9 mm MG2 2: 13 mm2   2: 13 mm2 2: 13 mm2
Rounds            
Wings     2: 20 mm under wings2      
Rounds            
Propeller hub   20 mm2 20 mm2   20 mm or 30 mm2 20 mm2
Rounds            
Bombs            
Quantity            
Production 23,5002
1944: 14,2122
         

Sources:

  1. The Illustrated Directory of Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Bill Gunston, 1998
  2. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
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