Messerschmitt Bf 109 G
German fighter plane

Messerschmitt Bf 109 G
Type: German Luftwaffe single-seat fighter.
History: The wartime requirement for greater power in single-seat fighters, especially after the Battle of Britain, led to the development in the early summer of 1942 the Bf 109 G with the more powerful DB 605 A engine. With a take-off power of 1,475 hp, this engine gave the 'Gustav' a speed of about 650 km/h at a height of 6,000 meters. The new airframe featured a stronger undercarriage, a larger oil-tank, the previously available pressurized cockpit, provision for fitting the GM-1 nitrous oxide injection system, rear armour and head protection for the pilot, and roller-bearing-mounted slats. It could also be fitted with a bomb-rack or drop-tank.

As early as the autumn of 1941 a zero-series of several models was tested with the DB 601 E engine. The Bf 109 G-1 was conceived as a single-seat high-altitude fighter with a pressurized cabin. The aircraft went to II/JG1, and later a few went to II/JG26 as equipment for high-altitude squadrons. At the end of 1942 they first saw action in the Mediterranean.

Series production of the Bf 109 G-2 without the pressurized cabin began in parallel production of the Bf 109 G-1, and G-2 aircraft were supplied in the summer of 1942 to, among others, Jagdgeschwader JG 2, 3, 5,27, 62, 53, 54 and 66, as well as different reconaissance groups.

Bf 109 G-2s of II (left) and III/JG 54 'Grunherz'-Geschwader operating on the northern sector of the Eastern Front in the summer of 1942.

Next came the Bf 109 G-3, which was the second 'Gustav' to have a pressurized cockpit. From 1943 this type was used in small numbers by high-altitude squadrons and by Reserve Fighter Group West. From May 1943 fitting of the GN-1 injection system began.

By August 1942 the Bf 109 G-4 was being produced in considerable numbers and this version went into active service in November.

The Bf 109 G-5 was the last of the series to be built as high-altitude fighters with pressurized cockpit. With the introducton of the more powerful Bf 109 G-6, the G-5 had only limited application in the fighter groups.

In February 1943 the Bf 109 G-6 was introduced and from then until the summer of 1944 was produced in large numbers to become a major component of national defence. The first aircraft of this series differed only slightly from the G-4, the two MG17s mounted above the engine being replaced by MG131s. It had not been possible to accommodate an ammunition supply within previous engine cowling designs, but from the G-6 typical bulges were incorporated for this purpose on both sides of the forward fuselage.
To improve pilot safety, the aircraft were fitted from 1943 with the so-called 'Galland Armour' with armoured glass, and somewhat later, with the 'Erla Canopy' or sometimes called 'Galland Canopy'. Further modifications consisted of a partial removal of the radio aerial behind the cockpit. In the early months of 1944 an increasing number of Bf 109 G-6s had larger fins with an integrated servo-rudder.
To increase engine power at greater heights, the DB 605 AS was introduced in early 1944; this was a DB 605 A engine with more powerful supercharger of the DB 603. As the engine was considerably larger, the cowling of the Bf 109 G/AS was completely modified. At the same time the ammunition supply for the MG131 was streamlined, and a new propeller was introduced. The first of this more powerful aircraft were introduced at the beginning of 1944 in III/JG1 and I/JG5. Part of the older series was re-equipped to AS standard.

This Bf 109 G-6 has on its cowling the emblem of JG53 'Pik-As' (Ace of Spades). The G-6, which entered production in late 1942, was powered by a DB605 engine, with boosted performance at altitude, and had a 30 mm MK 108 cannon mounted to fire throught the probeller hub.

The G-8 series was a modification of the Bf 109 G-6 for a close reconnaissance role, and the Bf 109 G-10, which was introduced in the late summer of 1944, represented an adaptation of older aircraft to the realities of air warfare. Using various components the G-type, an approximation to the power spectrum of the Bf 109 K-4 was reached. Since the DB 695 D engine was not available in sufficient numbers, the DB 605 AS had to be used instead. The fuselage consisted of parts of the G-6 or K-4 series, the wing came from the Bf 109 G-2, G-14 and K-4, and the fixed armament from the G-5. The majority of the early G-10s went to Jagdgeschwader 1, 3, 4, 6, 27 and 77. In addition, these types were also found in the three groups of JG300. After production was stepped up, deliveries were made to II/NJG 11 and I/KG(J)6. Some aircraft also went to reconnaissance units.
The Bf 109 G-10 was often used as escort and high-cover for Fw 190 fighter-bombers, which were increasingly being equipped 'Panzerblitz' and 'Panzerschreck' anti-tank missles.

From the middle of 1944 some 145 older Bf 109 G-2, G-3, G-4 and G-6 aircraft were rebuilt as Bf 109 G-12 two-seat trainers, mainly bly Blohm&Voss.

The Bf 109 G-14 was the last model in the G-Series. The first aircraft were supplied to JG 4, 76 and 77 in France in June 1944, and later to virtually all Jagdgeschwader. Among others, they were supplied as replacements to Kampfgeschwader I/KG(J)6, I/KG(J)27 and II/KG(J)30, as well as to the first two groups of KG(J)55. Some of this type also went to NJG11 and NAG 1,2,3,4 and 14.

This Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-14 of III./JG3 is pictured late in the war, with toned-down national markings.

Today's probalby the best preserved Me109 is this Bf109 G-2 Gustav, which was captured in 1942 in North Africa.

3d model Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2/Trop of III/JG51 'Molders' based at Casa Zeppera, Sardinia in summer of 1943.

Same 3d model from above from closer view.

This 3d model is a current element of the WW2 game WW2 Total. The data for production, movement and combat of the Axis and Allies units are here !

Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 from aircraft museum Luftfahrtmuseum Hannover-Laatzen (Germany).

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