Bf-109E at PoF

[C VEICH]

What's the story behind this one? Sorry if I missed it but this was news to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAgsZO8i ... r_embedded

[warbirdfinder]

Per an article by Mark Sheppard:

Messerschmitt Bf109, Werknummer (W.Nr.) 3523 was originally manufactured by Arado GmbH at Warnemünde as an E-1. Arado was responsible for producing around 500 Bf109 E-1’s (including some 50 E-1/B fighter-bombers) under licence. It is thought 3523 was produced within a construction block of 3360-3664 and manufactured between June 1939 and April 1940.

On 4th April 1942 at 09.05hrs four Bf109’s of 5./JG5, (one of which was #3523 flown by Lt Widowitz) were tasked with flying escort for a Bf110 over the Front. At the same time, four lend-lease Hawker Hurricanes from 2./2gvKAP VVS SF with Soviet pilots SLt Pokrovskij, Mozerov, Orlov and Leshenko were patrolling SU-Quadrant 5880-5882. It was during this patrol that they observed four Bf109's and a Bf110. In the ensuing combat, SLt Pokrovskij attacked a Bf109E and observed hits to the engine. He recorded the Bf109 as force landing in SU-Qu 4276.
And so in the spring of 1942, 3523 sank below the ice, having to wait 60 years until her recovery, by Jim Pearce and Mike Walton. Recovered to England in 2003. Italics mine.

[airnutz]

Per video, not 3523. In the video, wk nr. 3323, code CS+AU. Not in the list at PAA. Very cool! North Africa AND Russian Front bird!

[DaveM2]

Yep that is the one. Recovered from a lake not a bog. Owned by Friedkin now IIRC. In amazing 'time capsule' condition, although the paint was a bit better a few years ago. Has a yellow cowling.
Wk Nr is 3523
Dave

[mrp]

It is my understanding that this is the next project for Fighter Rebuilders. Steve Hinton and his crew were looking forward to the rebuild.
A replacement engine has already been sourced from Connie Edwards at Big Spring Texas. Yes it is owned by the Friedkin's.

mrp

[warbird1]

Wow, that is awesome! What a hot scoop!

If it's owned by Friedkin, I assume after restoration to flying condition, it will no doubt be a star at the annual POF airshow!

I'm glad it is going to be restored, it's about time some more 109's started flying out of the numerous ones that came out of Russia in the 90's/00's

I'm assuming that the engine they bought from Connie is an original DB 601?

[C VEICH]

Thanks to all for the updated info. I was really hoping to hear that this was a new PoF bird but a Friedkin bird is the next best thing. A couple of years ago Ed Maloney was interviewed during the annual PoF airshow and I remember him saying that they woud like to have a flyable fighter from every major second WW participant as part of the collection. Of course, I guess they already have a 109G and the Hispano to boot. Anybody know if there is any sort of plan to restore the 109G in the future? Is it even in good enough condition internally to consider a restoration to airworthy?

[warbird1]

Thanks to all for the updated info. I was really hoping to hear that this was a new PoF bird but a Friedkin bird is the next best thing. A couple of years ago Ed Maloney was interviewed during the annual PoF airshow and I remember him saying that they woud like to have a flyable fighter from every major second WW participant as part of the collection. Of course, I guess they already have a 109G and the Hispano to boot. Anybody know if there is any sort of plan to restore the 109G in the future? Is it even in good enough condition internally to consider a restoration to airworthy?

In years past during interviews, Maloney is on record as saying that he would like to get the 109G airworthy. But of course, that was years ago, when priorities and economic realities tend to change one's plans.

It wouldn't surprise me if it eventually happened, but I would think it would be pretty far on the backburner. First off is the P-59, then the O-47, then the Val, then the B-17 then.........

Actually the fact that it is Friedkin is much better. The Friedkin's have much greater resources than the POF and would make this restoration happen much, much faster.

[Jim Beasley]

The world is lucky that the Friedkins have it. It will be as authentic as possible. Here are a few shots when I saw it last year when at DX for the show. It's wicked cool but is going to take a bit of work.

photo of the dataplate:


you can still see the original paint:


yellow nose:


jb

Thanks to all for the updated info. I was really hoping to hear that this was a new PoF bird but a Friedkin bird is the next best thing. A couple of years ago Ed Maloney was interviewed during the annual PoF airshow and I remember him saying that they woud like to have a flyable fighter from every major second WW participant as part of the collection. Of course, I guess they already have a 109G and the Hispano to boot. Anybody know if there is any sort of plan to restore the 109G in the future? Is it even in good enough condition internally to consider a restoration to airworthy?

In years past during interviews, Maloney is on record as saying that he would like to get the 109G airworthy. But of course, that was years ago, when priorities and economic realities tend to change one's plans.

It wouldn't surprise me if it eventually happened, but I would think it would be pretty far on the backburner. First off is the P-59, then the O-47, then the Val, then the B-17 then.........

Actually the fact that it is Friedkin is much better. The Friedkin's have much greater resources than the POF and would make this restoration happen much, much faster.

[Ethan]

Thanks to all for the updated info. I was really hoping to hear that this was a new PoF bird but a Friedkin bird is the next best thing. A couple of years ago Ed Maloney was interviewed during the annual PoF airshow and I remember him saying that they woud like to have a flyable fighter from every major second WW participant as part of the collection. Of course, I guess they already have a 109G and the Hispano to boot. Anybody know if there is any sort of plan to restore the 109G in the future? Is it even in good enough condition internally to consider a restoration to airworthy?

The biggest obstacle is benz engine, they are not easy to find and when one does show up, its not cheap

[warbird1]

Thanks to all for the updated info. I was really hoping to hear that this was a new PoF bird but a Friedkin bird is the next best thing. A couple of years ago Ed Maloney was interviewed during the annual PoF airshow and I remember him saying that they woud like to have a flyable fighter from every major second WW participant as part of the collection. Of course, I guess they already have a 109G and the Hispano to boot. Anybody know if there is any sort of plan to restore the 109G in the future? Is it even in good enough condition internally to consider a restoration to airworthy?

The biggest obstacle is benz engine, they are not easy to find and when one does show up, its not cheap

True, added to that fact is the cost of overhaul. When David Price overhauled their DB 601 for their E model, they spent over $ 350,000 on that engine to make it airworthy. That was probably close to 15 years ago. It wouldn't surprise me if the cost to overhaul a DB now days would be close to half a million!

Just to add to what Jim said, yes we are very lucky to have the Friedkin's. Their positive contributions to the warbird scene over the years have been nothing short of phenomenal!

[TimAPNY]

Very exciting news to see that another 109 might be taking to the air in several years. I think we need a 109 Gathering at thunder. Can you imagine 3 109s flying together?

Tim

[JDK]

Very exciting news to see that another 109 might be taking to the air in several years. I think we need a 109 Gathering at thunder. Can you imagine 3 109s flying together?

I've seen two... But they were 109Gs.

Great news about this airframe. I hope that the interesting paint data etc. (touched on in the video) is captured before restoration as well.

And is is an E-1 mod to E-3 or mod to E-7?

[airnutz]

3523 it is, thanks for the correction folks. I'm glad the video was wrong, dunno if I could handle having aural dyslexia too!

[Zachary]

3523 it is, thanks for the correction folks. I'm glad the video was wrong, dunno if I could handle having aural dyslexia too!

Brett Green corrected himself in the writeup that accompanies this video on the HyperScale modeling website: http://www.hyperscale.com/what's.htm (THE best aircraft modeling site on the Web btw)

Zack