Which Upper Cowling should I use on this BF109?

Haven't built the Revell model but I do know that the 109G used different machine guns.   The early versions used the 8 mm and the later versions used the larger 13mm (equivalent to the US 50 cal) with the distinctive bulges to allow for the larger breechblocks.  My guess is one of those cowlings should have provision for gluing on those bulges.

Jack

lawdog114

I wondered the same thing when I built this kit. I used the straight port cowl.

 

Hello!

I don't know much about the Messer, but I believe you've got here the upper part with holes for the bulges/"Blasen" for the ammo drums of the machine guns - should be OK for the G-6. The lower one probably  has a little higher profile and so is smooth, without the bulges/"Blasen" - I believe it was used on the G-10 or G-12 - something like that. Hope it helps, good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

OK, my curiosity was aroused and I had to go dig out my 109 references. I learned that the smooth cowlings were in fact some of the last versions of the G-6.

The G-6/AS was a high-altitude version developed in early 1944. A much larger supercharger was mated to the 605A engine and required larger engine bearers. Since a larger cowling was necessary, they smoothed the flow all the way back to the canopy, thus doing away with the bulges over the MG 131s. Note that all G-6/AS planes had a complete package of: a larger air intake, a broad-bladed propeller, and a larger fin/rudder to improve handling as well.

About 225 new aircraft were made and around 460 were converted from planes in for repairs. Since high-altitude was not important on the Eastern front, most of these models went to JGs 1, 3, 5, 11, and 27.

Jack

It all depends on what scheme you're going for.

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

It all depends on what scheme you're going for.

 

please explain? I'm building the early G-6 version 

Then, I believe, you 'll want the cowling with the humps ("Blasen" - Thank you, Pawel) on it as Jack has explained. As that would be the early version.

I appreciate all the replies but there seems to be some confusion to what I'm asking. I wish I would have posted these new pictures the first time..sorry. Both are the same except for the features pointed out in red. Holes are in each one for the MG-131 bulges. These humps aren't in either one at this stage, they are glued on later. I'm just perplexed as which one to use for an early G-6 version. The instructions state you can use #44 or #45 but doesnt state which is for the early or late version. I know I'm a being a pain in the rear I just want to use the correct one. 

Wow, this is great. I'm ready to get one and start building.:)

I downloaded the instructions and the pattern appears to be that with the optional (early or late) parts, the Early version is numbered first. Notice: Early Mk108 are parts 2-3, the Late MG151 are parts 4-5.  The Early gunsight is part 18, the Late gunsight is part 19. The Early headrest is part 22, the Late is part 23.  Therefore, since it is not adequately labelled, I would have to assume that cowling part 44 is Early and cowling part 45 is Late.

There are two abberrations to the numbering sequence involving additional parts 188 and 189, but those appear to be afterthoughts based on Revell errors or late additions.  Still, if I had to choose, I would have to say part 44 for an Early G-6.

Jack

different manufacturers used different gun troughs. I think you need to know if the scheme you are building is a Regensburg or Erla machine?

Nathan T

different manufacturers used different gun troughs. I think you need to know if the scheme you are building is a Regensburg or Erla machine?

 

What he said...

jrb53

Wow, this is great. I'm ready to get one and start building.:)

I downloaded the instructions and the pattern appears to be that with the optional (early or late) parts, the Early version is numbered first. Notice: Early Mk108 are parts 2-3, the Late MG151 are parts 4-5.  The Early gunsight is part 18, the Late gunsight is part 19. The Early headrest is part 22, the Late is part 23.  Therefore, since it is not adequately labelled, I would have to assume that cowling part 44 is Early and cowling part 45 is Late.

There are two abberrations to the numbering sequence involving additional parts 188 and 189, but those appear to be afterthoughts based on Revell errors or late additions.  Still, if I had to choose, I would have to say part 44 for an Early G-6.

Jack