Australian War Memorial BF 109G

[planecrazy]

The Australian War Memorials 109G, I must admit to being a real fan of the later model 109s the F and G models
just the way the spinner is flush to the engine cowl, looks more menercing then the earlier models. See below
claimed to be the only 109 still in original paint, and a bit of a story how she stayed in Australia!










Taken from Wikipedia.
Bf 109 G-6/U4 163824 (G-SMIT, ex-NF + FY), Australian War Memorial, Canberra. This is the last example in the
world still displaying its original camouflage and markings: a 1944 day-fighter scheme, with variations resulting
from service repairs and replacements (i.e. one wing was replaced). According to Michael Nelmes, A Unique Flight
(which details the history of all AWM aircraft), this particular Bf 109 was sold in 1963 by the AWM to a member of
the Illawarra Flying club at Bankstown for 100GBP. Then it was passed onto the collector Sid Marshall, who hung
the aircraft in his hangar, where it stayed until he died. Next, it was sold to a "British aircraft collector" in 1979 for
reputedly $10,000. This deal was stopped by Australian Customs, as an export would have been illegal. In the notes
on the color scheme it mentions: "Prior to its export attempt the aircraft was coated in a plastic protective film which
was painted silver, apparently to pass it off as a Mustang. Most of this was removed by the time it came to the museum.
"Bf 109 G-2 14798 (VH-EIN), ex-GJ+QP, ex 8./JG 5 "Black 10", Christopher Kelly, Seaforth.

[flyjoe180]

That's a very interesting exhibit, thanks for posting.

[Dave Homewood]

Is that grease on the spinner or camouflage paint?

it has a really dirty look about the whole aircraft which makes it quite interesting when you compare with all the pristine ones around in museums and flying.

[planecrazy]

Good question which I think I can go a little way towards answering, many years ago I had a chat with a knowledgeable chap who
had worked at the War Memorial and he told me the German types, 109, 262 and 163 where simply rubbed back until they came to
the original paint they had all had other paint jobs over the original paint. So to answer your question I'd say that is original paint
that has suffered somewhat from wear and tear, I personally think they look quite good in a rough and ready state rather than in
a clean pristine state as you often see warbirds these days.

[nuuumannn]

I do like the preserved and conserved approach, rather than having these machines restored. Very interesting.

[Gavin Conroy]

Jul 27, 2013 15:19:03 GMT 12 nuuumannn said:

I do like the preserved and conserved approach, rather than having these machines restored. Very interesting.

Yip me to, can really get a sense of history of them in that condition.
Great photos by the way!!

[mumbles]

Jul 18, 2013 12:30:37 GMT 12 planecrazy said:

The Australian War Memorials 109G, I must admit to being a real fan of the later model 109s the F and G models
just the way the spinner is flush to the engine cowl, looks more menercing then the earlier models.

Me too, but then I tend to be a fan of the later more developed marques of most types. I notice it has the Galland cockpit hood fitted too, another late-model 109 feature that looked better (and worked better visibility wise presumably) than what had gone before.

I despair to think that anyone might be fooled by a coat of paint into thinking a 109 was a Mustang. That sounds almost Monty Python-esque. "That's a Messerchmitt" "No it isn't!" etc.

[steveh]

Jul 19, 2013 15:10:42 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Is that grease on the spinner or camouflage paint?

Almost certainly grease or oil stains Dave, I've not seen any references that mention mottling on the spinners. It'd be nice to see this tranlated into model paint references. Thanks for the pictures PC.
Steve.