109 recent pilot views

[Black Hornet]

Excerpt from Black 6 book. Captured G-2 in desert.


." At Lydda, it under went flight testing by Group Captain Buxton, who said after a second flight, 30 December 1942: "Very good performer," and from Don Batger, 452 Squadron on Buxton's fight: "He turned the 109 inside out and came back and said that it was better than anything we had at the time." (Spitfire Mk V variant).

Appendix B of the book contains a lot of data and performance charts as a result of extensive testing by 209 Group. Some of the remarks include very favorable comments as to the 109's power and quick acceleration




"The cockpit is simple. A number of technical controls such as oxygen flow, adjustment of coolant radiator and oil radiator flaps and airscrew pitch control have been made automatic and need no attention from the pilot.

http://www.taphilo.com/photo/pictures/bf109/



Quick acceleration, ( due to direct injection), & automatic controls other advantages German fighters had. Not until Korea did pilots of other nations enjoy automatic controls as these.

[Black Hornet]

Both 109 & Dora got wood propellors near wars end, which some less informed sorts have taken potshots at. but wood ones have advantages, vibrate less, weigh less. See below.


http://www.steenaer o.com/Products/ propellers. cfm PROPELLER COMPARISON
Wood Composite vs. Aluminum WEIGHT
(Typical 3-Bladed Prop)

37% Lower

Approx. 55 lbs. for typical 80 in. dia. prop. Heavier

Approx. 88 lbs. for typical 80 in. dia. prop.
VIBRATION CHARACTERISTICS

Less Vibration

Wood composite construction is an excellent damper of engine
vibration. No Damping

Aluminum props do not absorb vibration, and often carry operational
RPM restrictions as a result to prevent catastrophic failure due to
vibration-induced metal fatigue.






1943, wood tall tail.

Versuchs-Bericht Nr 109 05 E 43 - Date 15.4.43
This original German test document refers to dive tests of 109s with the tall tail. Result of this test was that the new tail reduced highspeed diving ozillations (which sometimes appeard with the old tail). More interesting is the fact, that in this tests, which had not the aim to estimate the highest mach number or to test the structure, they reached
max. Mach 0,805@7.0km
max. TAS 906km/h@5.8km 560 mph.

http://www.virtualpilots.fi/feature/...09myths/#dives