Bf109E snap-fit cowling latch?

Superb stuff… just what we were looking for 🙂

As for the reason for my asking, it’s simply due to a request here on the LEMB. If after searching my own library and image archives I cannot provide an answer, then I tap into the best message forums hunting for the answer. In this case, the FlyPast forum came up trumps, and to be honest, I didn’t expect anything else 😉

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

One last one, As I said I’ll photo the ones in my collection next week but hopefully this is enough to get you started

Here are some more shots I found on my laptop, these are all my photos.
The latch is very clever like all fasteners found on luftwaffe aircraft. In the bottom photo you can see we have the steel insert on the main body of the fastner, the main cast body and the the top cast piece. On the middle photo you can see the bracket it locates into, it is a steel pipe with formed and welded on parts. It is probably easier for you to look at the pictures and see how it works than me explain it. I think there is enough to go on here to make it apparent.
Personally I think these fastners are very effective, I remember looking round a hurricane for the first time and being astounded by the millions of dzus fastners used to hold simple covers on. These fastners do how get tired after alot of use and require replacement. I would be interested to know how they compared dzus fastners in combat. One or two well placed hits might make the cowling escape fairly easily but then again if you are receiving hits in that area you probably have more to worry about than a loose cowling!
I also remember looking round a post war yak (I think it was anyway) and I swear I saw this style of fastner on it as well as the normal wartungs deckel style push button cover. I also noticed that on my brothers gtd350 engine the oil cap is an exact replica of the german from the war!

*Edit* Whats piqued your interest in these peter?

Cheers for that Matt… that is an excellent and unusual view, so thanks for taking the time to post it. I look forward to any other views you may be able to supply 🙂

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

Hi peter,
I will take some photos next week when I’m back home, The small locking insert is stamped steel body is cast.
Matt

Here is one shot I have, photo credit david weiss. The anchor block at the top is milled if I remember correctly.

That would be great, many thanks again 🙂

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

Peter

I will do my best, but just about all of my non-display “hardware” is currently in deep storage!

May take some time. So prod me id due course unless anyone else obliges.

🙂 Great stuff, just what I was looking for… so many thanks indeed 🙂 Is there any chance of a photo showing this latch so that we can get an idea of its shape separate from the cowling?

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

Peter

I have several of these and can confirm that they are solid cast alloy, not pressed steel. As with all castings the part number prefixes are on the casting (from memory!) and show R8-109.

Hope this helps?