Picture of Messerschmitt BF 109G WW2 Fighter

The Messerschmitt Bf-109G "Gustav" and the earlier Battle of Britain Messerschmitt Bf-109E "Emil" are probably the best known models of this remarkable WW2 fighter. The Messerschmitt Bf-109g fighter was a logical progression of the Bf-109 design which was necessary to keep pace with the latest Spitfire's and Mustang P-51's allied fighters. The Messerschmitt Bf-109G "Gustav" entered service with the Luftwaffe in mid 1942, it was the most numerous model of the Bf-109 WWII fighter produced. Built around the new 1,475 hp Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine and incorporating greater firepower in the form of 13 mm MG 131 machine guns giving this WW2 fighter it's notorious twin bulges and the resultant nickname the "Die Beule" ("The Bulge"). Initially problems with the new engine resulted in the engines power having to be restricted to 88% in order to improve reliability.

The fastest of the Messerschmitt Bf-109G variants was the Daimler-Benz DB 605D powered Messerschmitt Bf 109G-10, although fast it lacked the manageability of the older Bf-109E "Emil" and Bf-109F "Friedrich" which had both been superb dogfighters. Although the Messerschmitt Bf-109g variant fighters were primarily operated by the German Luftwaffe, 162 aircraft were operated by the Finnish Air Force from 1943 until 1954 when they were replaced with jet fighters, a further 14 Messerschmitt Bf-109g's were operated by the Swiss Air Force until 1946. After WW2 the The Yugoslav Air Force operated various variants of the Messerschmitt Bf-109g until may 1952.

It is of note that some Bf-109g-2's were built in Spain under licence by Hispano Aviacion for the Spanish Air Force as the Ha-1109, these were powered initially by a Hispano-Suiza 12Z-17, and later improved aircraft with the 1,600 hp Rolls-Royce Merlin engine of Spitfire and Hurricane fame! Czechoslovakia built Bf-109g's under licence for their air-force as the Avia S-99 and Avia S-199, these were sold to Israel in 1948 and operated with 101 Squadron until late 1949 when they were replaced by Mk IX Spitfires and P-51d Mustangs.

Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 Specifications:

• Crew: Pilot only
• Span: 32 ft. 6 in.
• Length: 29 ft. 4 in.
• Height: 8 ft.
• Weight empty: 5,700 lbs.
• Engine: Single 1.475 hp (.085 kW) Daimler-Benz DB 605A inverted V piston engine
• Maximum speed: 395 mph (635 km/h)
• Combat range: 550 km
• Service ceiling: 40,000 ft (12,200 m)

Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 Armament:

• Single 30mm MK 108 cannon firing through propeller hub
• Twin 13mm MG 131 machine guns nose mounted
• Single 250 kg or four 50 kg bombs
• Twin WGr 21 unguided rocket projectiles