GUSTAV Part Two

In the second part of our Gustav VI article, we will focus on armament and equipment upgrade and conversion sets, take a gander at the reconnaissance versions of the Bf 109 G-6 including the recce specific Bf 109 G-8, we’ll describe the high-altitude Bf 109 G-5 and finally, we will take a look at the Bf 109 G-14, a de facto summary of all modifications and improvements continuously introduced into production during the long development of the Bf 109 G-6 series and its variants.

Equipment and weapons sets / Rüstsätze R

For the Bf 109 G-6, as for other versions of the Bf 109 G, modification kits

were available, installed in unit level workshops or service centers during

overhauls. Available weapon sets were as follows:

Rüstsatz R1: bomb rack (Abwurfwaffenanlage) ETC 500 IX b for one 250 kg

(550 lb) bomb.

Rüstsatz R2: bomb rack (Abwurfwaffenanlage) 4 x ETC 50 VII d for four

50 kg (110 lb) bombs.

Rüstsatz R4: bomb rack/dispenser for twenty-four SD 2 bomblets (Abwurf-

waffenanlage für 24 SD 2).

Rüstsatz R6: Underwing pods each holding an MG 151/20 20mm cannon

(Flügelgondel – bewaffnung zwei MG 151/20 mm).

Title photo: Luutn. Kyösti Karhila of 3/HLeLv 24 in the cockpit of MT-461 at Lappeenranta base in July 1944. This aircraft with WNr. 165342 and Stammkennzeichen SZ+PG

was received by the unit at the end of June 1944. Finnish pilots achieved a total of 18 victories with this plane, of which Karhila achieved eight successes. [Photo: SA

-

Kuva]

In the second part of our Gustav VI article, we will focus on armament and equipment upgrade and conversion sets, take a gander at

the reconnaissance versions of the Bf 109 G-6 including the recce specific Bf 109 G-8, we’ll describe the high-altitude Bf 109 G-5 and

finally, we will take a look at the Bf 109 G-14, a de facto summary of all modifications and improvements continuously introduced into

production during the long development of the Bf 109 G-6 series and its variants.

Rüstsatz R2

Rüstsatz R6

INFO Eduard6

February 2024