WWII Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf 109 Pilot Hans Meyer.
Hans Meyer was born in 1927 and grew up in Brandenburg, Germany. Ever since his youth he was interested in aviation, so at the age of 14, Hans joined the Flieger-HJ and learned to fly the Schneider SG-38 (Flying Glider). When he was 16, he earned himself the Glider Pilot Proficiency Badge ‘C’ level and signed up for the Luftwaffe a year later in 1944 to become a fighter pilot.
After Hans completed his flight training in Werneuchen with the Messerschmitt Bf 109, he was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 54 “Grünherz” and was stationed on the Eastern Front. There he distinguished himself as a fighter pilot and was credited with a total of 5 air victories.
Messerschmitt Bf 109G-10/U4 ‘Gustav’
HISTORY
- Designed by Willy Messerschmitt of the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW-Bavarian Aircraft Works) in the early 1930s, the Bf 109V-0 first flew on 28 May 1935. Following a series of developmental and early production versions, the Bf 1090 (‘Dora’) underwent its baptism of fire during the Spanish Civil War. The improved Bf 109E (‘Emil’) series of aircraft were the RAF’s primary fighter opponents during the Battle of Britain.
- The introduction of higher performance Allied fighters led to the development of the Bf 109F (‘Friedrich’) series, with an upgraded engine and improved aerodynamics. The Bf 109G (‘Gustav’) series followed, and first appeared in November of 1944. The G-10 model was distinguished by a Daimler Benz 6050 engine and an Erla Haube canopy replacing the heavily framed early canopy. A number of factory and field modifications were made to Bf 109s. The “/U4” in our example’s designation, indicates that the aircraft under-went a factory conversion to install a MK 108 Motorkanone engine-mounted cannon installed to fire through the propeller spinner.
- Over 31,000 Bf 109s were built; of these some 2,600 were G-10 models. More kills were scored by pilots flying Bf 109s than in any other aircraft.
- After its capture in Neubiberg , Germany, Planes of Fame’s Bf 109G was transported to Wright Field in Dayton, OH for evaluation. In the late 1950s, it was purchased by Ed Maloney, and is on static display at the Valle. AZ facility.
DISTINCTION
- The Planes of Fame’s Bf 109G-10/U4 is a WWII combat veteran, having being flown by pilots of the Luftwaffe’s II./Jagdgeschwader (JG) 52 unit.
