Airworthy 109s/Buchon's as of August 2016

[JohnTerrell]

For those that don't go on Facebook, here is a video just posted by the Erickson Aircraft Collection of their '109, now completed and undergoing initial engine runs:

https://www.facebook.com/eacmadras/vide ... 048315906/

As posted earlier in this thread, the airframe itself is from a Buchon, but it has been modified to the appearance of a Bf-109G-10, with the G-10 type tail and late "Galland canopy", and a very authentic cockpit. Incredibly ingenious, the aircraft is fitted with an Allison V-1710 engine (cheaper and easier to operate in the long run, than a DB605), which is mounted and configured in such a way that the look of the aircraft remains stock Bf-109G, with the exhaust routed out the same locations as a stock DB605 installation, the same thrust-line/prop mounting location as the DB605 installation, and with the cowlings remaining stock - when all buttoned-up, one won't know that it has anything other than a DB605 under the hood, save for a bit of difference in sound. As seen, the aircraft is painted in the colorful markings of Herman Graf.

(BTW, in continuation of this thread, the Bf-109G-6 "Black 8" has since been completed by MeierMotors and delivered to the Hangar10/Air Fighter Accademy collection, but without having been flown evidently.)

[C VEICH]

Fantastic!

[StangStung]

Thanks for the very welcome update to the thread. So cool to see this Made in Germany/Spain/America plane coming to life.

[StangStung]

Quoting Mr. Terrell's info from the Erickson thread just so it doesn't get buried there:

First indication of the impressions of John Romain on test flying the Erickson Allison-engined Bf-109G-10 - it's a "lovely aeroplane": https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

Despite all of the modifications, Erickson still isn't really trying to hide the aircraft's true identity either - painted on the completed aircraft, right next to the N-number, is its Spanish identity and serial number. This aircraft joins the Collection's other very well done "replicas/reproductions", such as the world's only flying Japanese Oscar and the MeierMotors-produced/former Jerry Yagen Flugwerk Fw-190A (currently still under repair following a ground loop last spring, but should hopefully be flying again soon).

As taken from an early Warbirdsnews article about the Ericskon Buchon/Bf-109G-10 project, the greatest thing about it is that it can be flown on a regular basis, without having to worry about timing out the engine at just 150 hours (as would be the case with a DB605), while at the same time providing the pilot/operator the look and feel of an original -109G.

With regard to currently airworthy Bf-109's and Buchons in the world, we have:

- The Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Collection's Bf-109E (N342FH)
- The Military Aviation Museum's converted-Buchon/Bf-109G-4 (N109GY)
- The Erickson Aircraft Collection's converted-Buchon/Bf-109G-10 (N90602)
- Richard Lake's Buchon (G-AWHE)
- Historic Flying Ltd.'s Buchon (G-AWHK)
- Hangar10's converted-Buchon/Bf-109G-12 (D-FMGZ) - not currently flying, currently for sale
- Hangar10's Bf-109G-6 (D-FMGS) - completed, registered and ready to fly, but not yet flown, currently for sale

Currently reported as under repair, restoration, or overhaul to fly again:

- Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar Bf-109E (G-CIPB) - should hopefully be flying again this year(!)
- Planes of Fame Air Museum's Buchon (N700E)
- Messerschmitt Foundation converted-Buchon/Bf-109G-4 (D-FWME)
- Messerschmitt Foundation converted-Buchon/Bf-109G-10 (D-FDME)
- Messerschmitt Foundation converted-Buchon/Bf-109G-6 (D-FMBB)
- Question mark regarding the Vormezeele Buchon (OO-MAF) in Belgium - I have not heard of anything recent with regard to intent to fly or not. As I recall, it hasn't flown since around 1990, but work has been done within that time to better it/fly it again in the future(?).

A number of others of course under restoration to fly.

[JohnTerrell]

For those that don't go on Facebook, MeierMotors has shared these recent photos of the current status of the rebuild (to fly) of Spanish Civil War vet Bf 109E-1 "6-88". A freshly rebuilt DB 601 from Mike Nixon's Vintage V-12's was also recently delivered for it.

More here: http://v25.meiermotors.com/index.php/pr ... l=&start=1










As mentioned earlier in this thread, the former-Ed Russell Bf-109E-4, at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar collection in England, also received its freshly overhauled DB 601 from Mike Nixon's shop last year, so fingers crossed we'll see this aircraft flying again perhaps this year:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/95700604@ ... 94/sizes/l
More photos of it, with the overhauled engine fitted, here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/122876669 ... 5516081652

[Zac Yates]

It's fantastic to see progress on the Emil at the Meier hangar! Thanks John, that's brightened my morning.

[Zac Yates]

It's been posted on the WIX Facebook but not here: Hangar10's Bf109G-12 - formerly the Kindsvater Buchon - has reverted to a Merlin up front, apparently in a QEC configuration.

https://www.facebook.com/27462506266559 ... =3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/27462506266559 ... =3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/27462506266559 ... =3&theater

http://www.klassiker-der-luftfahrt.de/g ... gen/722568

I wonder if they've considered the PF/Erickson Allison mod at all?

[James D]

What all this says...
http://www.klassiker-der-luftfahrt.de/g ... uft/722338
...is that this....

...has been sold to Germany, to be fitted with a DB motor by - you guessed it - Meier Motors.

[Michel Lemieux]

It's been posted on the WIX Facebook but not here: Hangar10's Bf109G-12 - formerly the Kindsvater Buchon - has reverted to a Merlin up front, apparently in a QEC configuration.
Image

Now that is odd......after all the time to get a DB running!!

Must be to keep the operating training cost low!!!! I guess

[Zac Yates]

But the Merlin and DB and now be swapped depending on what's needed. A cool idea!

[OD/NG]

But the Merlin and DB and now be swapped depending on what's needed. A cool idea!

I think it's a great idea too! Remember the DB must be overhauled somewhere between 150 to 250 hrs, depending on who you ask. Do you want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars every couple of hundred hours? That adds up REALLY fast!

[Michel Lemieux]

Typically the concept of a QEC...is for the same engine type!!!!

Pretty sure swapping a Merlin to DB.....is not done overnight!

[Triplane102]

But the Merlin and DB and now be swapped depending on what's needed. A cool idea!

Thanks Zac !
What's next, ? to remove the back seat "glass" & put a temp. " One Seat " cover/plate ?
sorry, my head's spinning a little bit !
ON TO BRECKENRIDGE !!

[Zac Yates]

It was done with the old Champlin Mk.IX Spitfire from memory, which made it look a bit weird! And the former Zuccoli family Fiat G.59 had a similar "kit" to allow it to better represent a fighter.

[DoraNineFan]

Shouldn't this one should be coming out of the Charleston Aviation shop soon, if not already and headed to Germany? This will be the third Emil that is airworthy. Beautiful work.

Bf-109E-7 Wk.N. 1983 5/JG 5