This image is taken in the UK during the excibition and it present Bf109E. But it is very specific as well it have unusual feature- Erla cockpit canopy. I don’t beleive that this image present some new version of famous Emil but it is very interesting composition and I hope that some of members know more about this.
By: Lord Vader - 20th February 2007 at 14:10
It’s look like I am open can with worms… all right gentlemen- I listen all you said and topic is became interesting for me 🙂
By: WebPilot - 20th February 2007 at 10:46
Check this link…
http://www.1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/Gladwin-Simms/3601.htm
if it is the same A/C it explains the change, if not, it is still a mystery! Or was this the 109 shot down in Sussex? A little knowledge IS a dangerous thing!!
CSheppardholedi – That’s a different machine. The Hendon example is 4101/DG200, 1304/AE479 went to the US and was written off in 1942.
4101/DG200 was captured on 27 November 1940 and subsequently was evaluated by the RAE and then used by the Enemy Aircraft Flight. Postwar it went into store before being restored for display as “12+GH” at Biggin Hill in the 60s. Presumably it was at this time that it was erronously fitted with the Erla hood. It was later restored at St Athan to the correct 1940 condition and markings of 2/JG 52 (as when it was captured) before being put on display at Hendon.
By: Cranswick - 20th February 2007 at 10:39
Black 12
The aircraft in your photo is ‘black 12’, originally of I/JG 51, W Nr 4101, currently displayed in the RAF Museum. It force-landed at Manston 27 November 1940 and was flown by various units as DG200 until stored (having lost its canopy somewhere). Post-war it was displayed with the incorrect Erla hood but was eventually restored and fitted with a correct hood (from RN228 aka ‘black 6’). Its original radio call-sign was ‘GH+DX’ which explains the ’12+GH’ as displayed in the photos.
This information is from ‘War Prizes’ by Phil Butler published by Midland Counties 1994, ISBN 0 904597 86 5, which details all Axis captured by the Allies. A highly illustrated, deeply researched, superb reference book and a ‘must’ for anyone interested in this topic. Still available I believe.
By: Lord Vader - 19th February 2007 at 20:54
Thanks all for comments 🙂 🙂
@ 25deg south- yes it is Galland hood and it is also called Erla hood by the factory name where it was manufactured.
@ Fluffy- are you interest to exchange of images? I like the sample you have presented from your collection.
By: Fluffy - 19th February 2007 at 20:36
1941 is to early to have one of the one piece hoods fitted anyway the same a/c at Bicester from my collection photographer unknown.
By: CSheppardholedi - 19th February 2007 at 20:20
Check this link…
http://www.1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/Gladwin-Simms/3601.htm
if it is the same A/C it explains the change, if not, it is still a mystery! Or was this the 109 shot down in Sussex? A little knowledge IS a dangerous thing!!
By: Fluffy - 19th February 2007 at 18:25
The same hood was fitted to Black 6 in the seventies
By: 25deg south - 19th February 2007 at 18:24
Question: Is this the same as a “Galland” Hood?
By: DazDaMan - 19th February 2007 at 18:16
Unless I’m mistaken, it’s the RAF Museum’s Bf109E, currently residing in the Battle of Britain hall.
I’m not sure how it came to be fitted with an Erla hood, but I do seem to recall pics of the ‘109 under test with the RAF, minus its more usual canopy – someone feel free to correct me.
It was probably just a hood that was to hand, and fitted to complete the aircraft.
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February 19, 2007 at 4:54 pm