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Bf 109 G-8
The Bf 109 G-8 was a development of the Bf 109 G-6/U3. They were tac-
tical (frontline) reconnaissance aircraft (Nahaufklärer or Herresaufklärer).
The photographic equipment consisted of two Rb 12. 57 x 9 or Rb 32/7 x
9 cameras, located in the lower part of the fuselage on the fifth fuselage
bulkhead and covered by sliding doors controlled from the cockpit (2), and
one Robot II Kleinbildkamera in the leading edge of the left wing, ahead of
the wheel well (1). They carried full gun armament, but many aircraft had
the MG 151/20 engine mounted cannon removed at unit level. Also, the Robot
II camera in the leading edge of the wing was also often removed in practice.
Part of the Bf 109 G-8, twenty-nine machines with production numbers
20 670 to 20 698 produced at WNF in September 1943 and 112 710 000 se-
ries airframes produced in February and March 1944 were powered by the
DB 605 A engine and lacked the MW 50 system. They had standard canopies.
Another 760 or so Bf 109 G-8/R5s, produced between May and December,
1944, were powered by the DB 605 AM engine with MW 50 water-methanol
injection into the intake of the compressor. The MW 50 system tank filler
cap was to the right of the fuselage spine centreline behind the second
fuselage bulkhead (3). The Bf 109 G-8/R5 used 96 (or 100) C3 aviation fuel.
The battery was moved to the luggage compartment in the cockpit, and
there was a characteristic bulge on the luggage compartment door project-
ing into the cockpit to cover the battery. Like other photo-reconnaissance
Bf 109 Gs, the G-8 had a rectangular rear-view mirror on the inner frame
of the windscreen.
The radio equipment consisted of a FuG 17 radio, later replaced by the
FuG 16 ZS unit and the FuG 25a IFF system. A ZVG 16 (Peilrufanlage) direction
finder system with the PR 16 (Peilrahmen) loop antenna on the fuselage
spine (Rüstsatz R7) could also be installed. All Bf 109 G-8s and G-8/R5s
produced had the Erla Vollsichtshaube canopy and short rudder. Some
of the machines had the mast of the antenna moved rearward, in front
of the 2nd fuselage bulkhead, where the PR 16 antenna was usually located.
The reason for this change is unclear. This may have something to do with
the retrofitting of the MW 50 system tank, but why this should be is not
entirely clear. It may also be related to the type of radio used.
(Author’s note: Prien/Rodeike references mention
planned U2 (GM 1 boost system) and U3 (MW 50 system)
kits. It does not appear that such things actually exist-
ed. These authors have photos in their book of alleged
G-8s with a standard canopy. These may be one of the
first twenty-nine Bf 109 G-8s, produced in September
1943 in the block 20 000 range, production numbers
20 670 to 20 698, or could also be confused with the
Bf 109 G-6/U3)
The Bf 109 G-8 could carry all available weapons.
To what extent this possibility was only theoretical and
to what extent these weapon sets were actually used is not clear. The use of
auxiliary tanks is documented and logical. This is the case for all photo-re-
connaissance Bf 109 Gs produced. It seems unlikely that these valuable ma-
chines, which were often lightened by the removal of some of the fuselage
armament, were used for risky combat missions. On the other hand, there
are known cases of pilots who achieved a number of kills on photo recon-
naissance aircraft and even achieved ace status, such as Herbert Findeisen.
During his two hundred operational missions flying photo reconnaissance
aircraft, he achieved 42 kills. After his 37 kills, as CO of 2. /NAGr 4, he was
awarded the Knight’s Cross. (NAGr = Nahaufklärungsgruppe).
HISTORY
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February 2024