Messerschmitt Bf 190K-4
unit: 9./JG77
pilot: Uffz. Heinrich Munniger
The Bf 109 Kurfürst was evolved from the Bf 109G-10. The K series was a response to the fact that the bewildering array of series, models, modification kits and factory conversions for the various Bf 109G versions led to logistic problems, making production and maintenance complicated and costly - something Germany could ill-afford late in the war. As such, the RLM (German Aviation Ministry) ordered Messerschmitt to rationalize production of the Bf 109, consolidating parts, types etc to produce a uniform, standard model with better interchangeability of parts and equipment. The "Kurfürst" version was the last and most powerful series of the Bf 109, with only the Bf 109 K-4 being built in large large numbers.
Important features of the "Kurfürst" were the DB 605 DM engine, which was powered by the DB 603's large supercharger. The armament was the MK 108 cannon firing through the propeller hub and a pair of MG 131 machine guns in the upper cowling. The main landing gear had small gear doors covering the retracted wheels fitted in addition to main gear doors, and the tail wheel was also fully retractable with covering doors. Larger wheels measuring 660x190 on 13" rims were used so that the machine could carry the higher flying weight. The retracted larger wheels required rectangular bulges on the wing tops to clear the wheels.
The antenna mast was mostly no longer used at the factory to reduce air resistance and make parachuting safer for the pilot. The DF antenna of the FuG 16 ZY on the back of the fuselage was moved further back to fuselage part 3. The radio access cover, which was previously always in fuselage part 5, was moved forward to fuselage part 4 because of modified installations.
As with other BF 109 versions, there were were variations between individual planes due to dispersed manufacturing and parts shortages forced by Allied bombing.
This aircraft had the small main gear doors removed, a fuselage mounted antenna mast, and a fixed tail wheel gear.
unit: 9./JG77
pilot: Uffz. Heinrich Munniger
The Bf 109 Kurfürst was evolved from the Bf 109G-10. The K series was a response to the fact that the bewildering array of series, models, modification kits and factory conversions for the various Bf 109G versions led to logistic problems, making production and maintenance complicated and costly - something Germany could ill-afford late in the war. As such, the RLM (German Aviation Ministry) ordered Messerschmitt to rationalize production of the Bf 109, consolidating parts, types etc to produce a uniform, standard model with better interchangeability of parts and equipment. The "Kurfürst" version was the last and most powerful series of the Bf 109, with only the Bf 109 K-4 being built in large large numbers.
Important features of the "Kurfürst" were the DB 605 DM engine, which was powered by the DB 603's large supercharger. The armament was the MK 108 cannon firing through the propeller hub and a pair of MG 131 machine guns in the upper cowling. The main landing gear had small gear doors covering the retracted wheels fitted in addition to main gear doors, and the tail wheel was also fully retractable with covering doors. Larger wheels measuring 660x190 on 13" rims were used so that the machine could carry the higher flying weight. The retracted larger wheels required rectangular bulges on the wing tops to clear the wheels.
The antenna mast was mostly no longer used at the factory to reduce air resistance and make parachuting safer for the pilot. The DF antenna of the FuG 16 ZY on the back of the fuselage was moved further back to fuselage part 3. The radio access cover, which was previously always in fuselage part 5, was moved forward to fuselage part 4 because of modified installations.
As with other BF 109 versions, there were were variations between individual planes due to dispersed manufacturing and parts shortages forced by Allied bombing.
This aircraft had the small main gear doors removed, a fuselage mounted antenna mast, and a fixed tail wheel gear.
