Germany's Messerschmitt Bf. 109 G, "Gustav" Fighter1,2
Messerschmitt Bf 109 G fighter:
Messerschmitt Bf 109 G1 fighter:
Messerschmitt Bf 109 G2 fighter:
Messerschmitt Bf 109 G6 fighter:
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
- Bf 109 G-1 was pressurised.2
- Bf 109 G-1/Trop was a tropical version.2
- Bf 109 G-2 was unpressurised.2
- Bf 109 G-3 different radio gear.2
- Bf 109 G-4 different radio gear.2
- Bf 109 G-5 had a MW50 boosted Daimler-Benz 605D.2
- Bf 109 G-5/U2 had a wooden tailplane.2
- Bf 109 G-6 had 2 under wing 20 mm2 Was also the standardized version to fit the Rüstsätze (field conversion) and Umrüst-Bausätze (factory) optional equipment packages.2
- Bf 109 G-6/U2 had a wooden tailplane.2
- Bf 109 G-6/N was a night fighter.2
- Bf 109 G-7 had a wooden tail and semi-retractable tailwheel.2
- Bf 109 G-8 was used for armed reconnaissance.2
- Bf 109 G-10 had low octane DB 605D or high octane DB 605DB with MW 50 and "Galland" hood for better visability.2
- Bf 109 G-12 was an unarmed two seat trainer.2
- Bf 109 G-14 standardized engines.2
- Bf 109 G-16 had a DB 605D engine and more armor protection.2
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 |
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| 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:
- The Illustrated Directory of Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Bill Gunston, 1998
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
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