Looking through a January 1973 copy of the late lamented original “Air Enthusiast” magazine (which was an “all in one” magazine covering current civil, military and historic topics) I spotted and ad for a new club,
“Gruppe 109” where “members are sharing in the restoration of a genuine Bf109G, through our world-wide newsletter.”
The ad directed people to send $3.00 for membership to John W. Caler publications in Sun Valley, California.
The ad doesn’t say where the aircraft was located, but does promise members a newsletter with previously unpublished photos, and an “actual specimen of a Bf 109G metal skin.”
Anyone familiar with this group or know what aircraft they had and its current condition or location?
By: DoraNineFan - 9th October 2006 at 19:20
The time frame corresponds with Bf 109 G-10 “Black 2” W.Nr. 610824, now in the USAF Museum. During this restoration attempt by John Caler, the skins were cut up and sold as souveniers to raise money.
The story of this airframe is chronicled in Jerry Crandall’s book “Yellow 10”, Eagle Files #2. According to the book, then-owner Bud Weaver received a telephone call to alert him that the aircraft was being hauled away by a junkman. The fuselage was saved, but the wings were lost. The book does not mention a “Gruppe 109” organization, however.
By: Cees Broere - 9th October 2006 at 18:17
I think this is now restored in the USAF museum. The wings were scrapped and the fuselage nearly so, but saved. Later the wings were replaced by a set from an Avia built example.
Hope this helps a bit.
Cheers
Cees
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October 9, 2006 at 6:05 pm