Some Bf-109 queries

Hi Enzo,

I hope this helps.

Reply 1: G-6 to G-10 conversions. Some sources state that some G-6s were converted to G-10s. I believe some sources suggest the opposite. However, old aircraft parts were recycled, and this has probably been the case with the G-6s as well, with some turning into G-10s. I honestly doubt that the Germans didn't go all the way on the conversions (if they indeed were conversions), i.e. the cockpits would have been changed too.

Reply 2: Type 110 cowlings. I seem to recall reading something about this recently. IIRC most, if not all, Erla G-10s (i.e. the ones with type 110 cowlings) had the larger wing bulges and corresponding wheels. Some might have had the smaller ones though. I will have to look for that source again. Regarding the conversion I believe the G-14 is the best kit to use anyway as its fuselage shape is more correct than the G-10 kit. If I had the choice I'd go for the G-14 as base kit.

Reply 3: "RLM 84". You are right that there with all probability never was a colour called RLM84, and that the colour referred to was simply a variation of RLM76. You are also right that there seems to be one "RLM84" for FW190s and one for Bf109s, the former being more greenish and the latter being more brownish. The tan version has been confirmed on the G-6 in Australia. IMO the more correct colour to use on a K-4 would be the brownish version.

Apart from HS and ARC there are a couple of places where I'm sure you can get more point of views and perhaps even more comprehensive replies:

HTH,

re: Bf-109G-10

According to "The Messerschmitt Bf-109F, G and K" by Prien and Rodeicke, Schiffer Publications, the 109G-10 series aircraft all began life as some other variant of the 109G. The Germans had a program to return damaged aircraft to the homeland to be repaired/rebuilt or salvaged for parts. In it's original form the program was simply a type for type rebuild, a damaged 109G-6 was returned to service as a 109G-6. As the DB605D engine program got underway a sharp engineer pointed out that if they re-engined these aircraft while repairing them they would give the Luftwaffe back an aircraft almost as good as a new 109K at a considerable savings in time and Marks. This is why you see the variations in rear fuselages and wing bulge/landing gear fit on G-10s. Prien & Rodeicke point out that most G-10s are seen to have two builder's plates riveted to the side of the fuselage beneath the canopy.

Bill Shuey

The so-called "type 110" is actually the Erla built G-10, purpose built machines, not recycled. Various blocks of machines had either big or common tires and bulges, tall or standard tail wheel struts, and with or without a short radio mast. As for which kit, in 1/32, the G-14 doesn't have the goofed fuselage bits, but the Cutting Edge conversion is badly flawed due to incomplete research which missed important contour details. The Eagles Edition conversion is much better, but for the G-10, though the fuselage correction is pretty simple.

Thanks Jens, it did indeed help!

Thanks Bill. One of the aircraft that I wish to build does indeed have two builder's plates.

Which means that I'm still going to have to do some extra research for the particular aircraft I wish to model. But then, that's half the fun! :-)

Maybe I should have mentioned that I'm working in 1/48 and intend to use the Adeco/MDC conversion kit. I will still look into using a G-14 however.

Thanks for your advice, Steve.

I recently read that, contrary to what was once believed, the two plates do not mean that the aircraft was rebuilt. The second plate is simply a plate for recording various minor modifications. I think Jerry Crandal knows more about it.

HTH