Factory transfer paint scheme for 1938 Me-109E

[slowoldguy]

We are restoring a very early Me-109E that served with the Condor Legion in Spain as 6-88. The original paint was still on the aircraft, and this was analyzed by the Deutsches Museum Munich to collect information for the restoration of the ex-Condor Legion 109E they have on display (originally 6-106). They found between 11 and 13 layers of paint on our aircraft, depending on location, including the original Condor Legion paint scheme. They also found layers under the Condor Legion paint that included Balkenkreuzes on the wings. They attributed this to a "Transfer" paint scheme applied by the factory and used by them during testing and delivery. Their report reads:

"Different regulations applied to transfer license markings. According to a regulation from 1937, the marking consisted of four letters grouped around a "Balkenkreuz". On the lower side, there was a cross close to the wing tips and two of the letters next to them. The cross itself had to be applied in the regulated way on the upper and lower side of the wing. The paint of the transfer numbers had to easily removable ("washed off"), so they could be removed quickly and re-used for another airplane. The crosses, however, should be executed in stable paint."

Can anyone point me to a photo of what this transfer paint scheme looked like?

Rob

 

[Wurger]

Actually there is not too many images showing the brand-new early Bf 109B,D and E. According to the description and the time period ( 1937 ) it was the standard RLM 70/71/65 camouflage. The Luftwaffe crosses were of the earlier variant. The transfer numbers ( in German - Stammkennzeichen StKz ) was black and consisted of four letters. On the fuselage the two first code letters were on the left of the LW cross and the two more on the right. At the undersides the two first code letters were applied on the starboard wing next to the LW cross while the two more code letters were on the port wing. I'm not sure if the swastika was applied on the exported planes but it is very likely it was. Here two images of the early Bf109 with the factory codes .. the top one with the Bf 109E-1 ( the fuselage code ) and the Bf 109D-1 with the undersides with the location of the code two letters seen.

the pic source: the net.

 

[mjfur]

Some early pics,

Asisbiz Messerschmitt Bf 109E3 WNF1 Wiener Neustadter aircraft factory prototype ebay 01

Asisbiz Messerschmitt Bf 109E3 WNF1 Wiener Neustadter aircraft factory prototype ebay 01

www.asisbiz.com

Asisbiz Messerschmitt Bf 109E factory Erla VII test pilot 2nd left Hans Fay 01

Asisbiz Messerschmitt Bf 109E factory Erla VII test pilot 2nd left Hans Fay 01

www.asisbiz.com

View: https://br.pinterest.com/pin/394487248587791706/

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c3/37/c2/c337c20c0634105a55f9369b688a4db6.jpg

 

[Barrett]

We are restoring a very early Me-109E that served with the Condor Legion in Spain as 6-88. The original paint was still on the aircraft, and this was analyzed by the Deutsches Museum Munich to collect information for the restoration of the ex-Condor Legion 109E they have on display (originally 6-106). They found between 11 and 13 layers of paint on our aircraft, depending on location, including the original Condor Legion paint scheme. They also found layers under the Condor Legion paint that included Balkenkreuzes on the wings. They attributed this to a "Transfer" paint scheme applied by the factory and used by them during testing and delivery. Their report reads:

"Different regulations applied to transfer license markings. According to a regulation from 1937, the marking consisted of four letters grouped around a "Balkenkreuz". On the lower side, there was a cross close to the wing tips and two of the letters next to them. The cross itself had to be applied in the regulated way on the upper and lower side of the wing. The paint of the transfer numbers had to easily removable ("washed off"), so they could be removed quickly and re-used for another airplane. The crosses, however, should be executed in stable paint."

Can anyone point me to a photo of what this transfer paint scheme looked like?

Rob

That's intriguing. May I ask who/where? It's possible that some of my antique/warbird contacts might be able to help.

 

[CHAD VEICH]

That's intriguing. May I ask who/where? It's possible that some of my antique/warbird contacts might be able to help.

1938 Messerschmitt Bf109E-1 | Vintage Aircraft Sales

Explore the 1938 Messerschmitt BF109E-1, a rare Legion Condor survivor that served during the Spanish Civil War. Click to learn more.

www.platinumfighters.com

 

[slowoldguy]

Thank you everyone, I now think I have a pretty good idea of what the plane looked like when it left the Erla factory. The photos Wurger sent seem to match the description of the earliest paint layer from the Deutsches Museum report below:

"The paint was applied by spraying (airbrush) after the airplane was mainly assembled. The empennage was attached, but not the transition plate to the fuselage. The paint scheme with dark green top view and light blue bottom view was the first finished paint or camouflage ("Sichtschutzlackierung")."

Just in case there are modelers who really get into the paint details, the blue was applied before the green according to the Museum report.

Rob

 

[SaparotRob]

Just in case there are modelers who really get into the paint details, the blue was applied before the green according to the Museum report.

Rob

There are.

 

[Snautzer01]

Not only modelers.

 

[slowoldguy]

Duly noted. There are some other details in the Deutsches Museum report that might be of use to modelers and others. I will see what else I can share.

Rob