I sat in the cockpit of an ME-109

[PAT303]

There's no way a guy that's 6'2" would fit in this cockpit...I'm only 6' and I don't fit...

I've seen a photo of a captured 109 with the hood removed so RAF pilots could fit in it.

 

[PAT303]

I don't know anybody else's age or weight on here, but I was much more agile 50 years ago, and 30 lbs lighter.

Most pictures of WW2 pilots I've seen show them to be usually from the trimmer part of humanity.

I identify as a dad bod, a couple of cannon bulges present around the mid fuselage area.

 

[Crimea_River]

Moi, in a Buchon. Tight squeeze at the shoulders and yes the instrument panel is loose.

 

[Mainly28s]

I've had the pleasure of sitting in the Me-262 B-1/a and Fw 190 A at the museum in Saxonwold, Johannesburg in the late 1980s, as well as a Spitfire, Fieseler Storch, Mustang, Vampire and Harvard as well as the Viscount and Shackleton owned by the SAAF Museum. I also managed to get flips in a number of DC-3s/C-47s and DC-4s, Alouette IIIs, Pumas and an Atlas Impala operated by the SAAF. I wish I could get a chance ot sit in an Me 109!

 

[special ed]

Although I can't remember it, I once sat in the seat of the Spirit of St. Louis. My Father, Mother & I , (around 2 years old, 1942) were in the Smithsonian Museum. The Spirit was normally suspended as if in flight. It was lowered that week, level with the upper walkway, for cleaning. My Father asked the worker to sit me in the seat. Of course, their is only the word of my parents, both deceased, so it remains only a story they told me.

 

[SaparotRob]

I have no doubt as to your veracity.

 

[gruad]

I've had the pleasure of sitting in the Me-262 B-1/a and Fw 190 A at the museum in Saxonwold, Johannesburg in the late 1980s, as well as a Spitfire, Fieseler Storch, Mustang, Vampire and Harvard as well as the Viscount and Shackleton owned by the SAAF Museum. I also managed to get flips in a number of DC-3s/C-47s and DC-4s, Alouette IIIs, Pumas and an Atlas Impala operated by the SAAF. I wish I could get a chance ot sit in an Me 109!

Can you tell us how they felt, please?

 

[GrauGeist]

Back in the late 70's, I sat in the cockpit of a Bf109E-7 and it was a very tight fit.

At the time, I was seventeen, six foot tall and about 165 pounds and the canopy, when closed, was about a palm's thickness away from my head.

 

[nuuumannn]

I never sat in this particular example, but I have sat in one before.

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I've seen a photo of a captured 109 with the hood removed so RAF pilots could fit in it.

That was the captured Bf 109E-4/B serialed DG200 in RAF service. The canopy was misplaced after being removed because the test pilot, Harvey Hayworth was over 6 feet tall and he flew the aircraft without it for a number of photo shoots. The aircraft was fitted with a Bf 109G canopy for many years, but this was subsequently returned to the correct aircraft. Both machines survive and are a part of the RAF Museum collection.

This is the former DG200, now fitted with an accurate model hood...

RAFM 109

...although it was fitted with the hood from this Bf 109G-2 for many years...

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