Messerschmitt Bf109G-4/R3 by Design Team Daedalus
Unit: 2.(F)/123 Kastelli, Crete Spring 1943
Pilot: unknown
The Bf 109G-4 was an incremental development of the G-2. The 1475hp DB605A engine and armament was unchanged from the G-2. The tire size increased from the previous 650 x 150 size to 660 x 160 to better handle the increasing weight of the G series. It still used the spoked wheel rims carried over from the G-2 series but the increased tire size required kidney shaped bulges to be added to the top of the wings above the wheel wells. A larger 350 x 135 tail wheel replaced the earlier 290 x 110 size. Because the larger tail wheel would not fit in the tail wheel recess, the retraction mechanism was disconnected and the tail wheel was fixed in the down position. The radio was replaced with the more powerful FuG 16Z.
With a growing tactical need for timely reconnaissance, 80 of the G-4 production was dedicated to mount a 12.5cm Schneider-Gottingen camera in the belly and controls in the cockpit. Some, intended for longer range missions, also received redesigned wings incorporating a rack to carry a drop tank.
The G-4 was produced from September 1942 to May 1942:
G-4 production = 727
G-4/trop production = 435
G-4/R3 (reconnaissance) = 80
Still, there was no “standard” G-4. Three separate companies and multiple sub-assembly production facilities were involved which inevitably produced minor variations, such as pilot head armor type, cockpit vents, tail wheel types and field added Rustsatze kits. So, each model we have created has its own unique features to portray the specific aircraft as accurately as possible.
This aircraft was a long range R3 photo reconnaissance version. It had an Rb75x30 camera in the belly just behind the wing. It had wings that incorporated a rack to carry a 300liter drop tank under each wing rather than the more usual single centerline drop tank. The cowl mounted MG 17 machine guns were removed to save weight, the main landing gear tires used the later G-6 type flat face hubs, and it had 2 oil diversion pipes running from in the cowl, under the wings past the camera, to keep the lens clear. It had a 2 piece curved top pilot head armor, and the fixed tail wheel gear had a dust cover boot.
Pstrany developed the models using Paul Rebuffat's Messerschmitt model - with permission - as a starting framework and updated the shape, and added a plethora of details, new parts, and ideas. Pstrany also developed the models for the drop tanks, weapons and racks.
Captain Kurt created paints for each, the 2D instrument panel, the individual .dp files, the air files and the aircraft.cfg files.
Mav SCASM edited each model so that they have animated wing slats, drop tanks, and other features, as well as optimizing models for the best possible frame rates. Mav also developed the idea for the 2d panel to be offset for the Revi gun sight to match the CFS2 reticle.
We have all benefited from the assistance and guidance of others in the community, Special thanks to Wolfi and Huub Vink for their kind assistance and to all who have contributed their knowledge directly and indirectly.
Unit: 2.(F)/123 Kastelli, Crete Spring 1943
Pilot: unknown
The Bf 109G-4 was an incremental development of the G-2. The 1475hp DB605A engine and armament was unchanged from the G-2. The tire size increased from the previous 650 x 150 size to 660 x 160 to better handle the increasing weight of the G series. It still used the spoked wheel rims carried over from the G-2 series but the increased tire size required kidney shaped bulges to be added to the top of the wings above the wheel wells. A larger 350 x 135 tail wheel replaced the earlier 290 x 110 size. Because the larger tail wheel would not fit in the tail wheel recess, the retraction mechanism was disconnected and the tail wheel was fixed in the down position. The radio was replaced with the more powerful FuG 16Z.
With a growing tactical need for timely reconnaissance, 80 of the G-4 production was dedicated to mount a 12.5cm Schneider-Gottingen camera in the belly and controls in the cockpit. Some, intended for longer range missions, also received redesigned wings incorporating a rack to carry a drop tank.
The G-4 was produced from September 1942 to May 1942:
G-4 production = 727
G-4/trop production = 435
G-4/R3 (reconnaissance) = 80
Still, there was no “standard” G-4. Three separate companies and multiple sub-assembly production facilities were involved which inevitably produced minor variations, such as pilot head armor type, cockpit vents, tail wheel types and field added Rustsatze kits. So, each model we have created has its own unique features to portray the specific aircraft as accurately as possible.
This aircraft was a long range R3 photo reconnaissance version. It had an Rb75x30 camera in the belly just behind the wing. It had wings that incorporated a rack to carry a 300liter drop tank under each wing rather than the more usual single centerline drop tank. The cowl mounted MG 17 machine guns were removed to save weight, the main landing gear tires used the later G-6 type flat face hubs, and it had 2 oil diversion pipes running from in the cowl, under the wings past the camera, to keep the lens clear. It had a 2 piece curved top pilot head armor, and the fixed tail wheel gear had a dust cover boot.
Pstrany developed the models using Paul Rebuffat's Messerschmitt model - with permission - as a starting framework and updated the shape, and added a plethora of details, new parts, and ideas. Pstrany also developed the models for the drop tanks, weapons and racks.
Captain Kurt created paints for each, the 2D instrument panel, the individual .dp files, the air files and the aircraft.cfg files.
Mav SCASM edited each model so that they have animated wing slats, drop tanks, and other features, as well as optimizing models for the best possible frame rates. Mav also developed the idea for the 2d panel to be offset for the Revi gun sight to match the CFS2 reticle.
We have all benefited from the assistance and guidance of others in the community, Special thanks to Wolfi and Huub Vink for their kind assistance and to all who have contributed their knowledge directly and indirectly.
