discussion Franz Von Werra's Second Plane?

[Guest]

I am going to be starting Franz Von Werra's famous aircraft soon (in it's un-crashed state,) and began wondering about his second plane... the one that cost him his life. From what I gather, it was an Bf109 F-. After doing some Goggling, I haven't been able to come up with any photos or any real reference to this plane, other than in passing comments.

Does anyone have any info, or can anyone point me in the right direction? After I finish this one, I would like to do his second one as well.

 

[stona]

All I have is that he took off from Feldflugplatz Katwijk in the Netherlands in a new Bf 109 F-4, Wnr. 7285. This would be from the first block of WNF built F-4s.

He was Kommandeur of I./JG 53 at the time, so I would expect his aircraft to have been marked accordingly with a double chevron, probably in the style typical of JG 53.
I would bet a self publicist and exaggerator like von Werra would have had all 21 victories on his rudder, I doubt they would still fit on the fin, but as far as I know there is no photograph of this aircraft. I think even the Luftwaffe authorities had told him to 'wind his neck in' by this time, which might explain the lack of publicity.

Cheers

Steve

Edit: there is one photo, supposedly of this aircraft, with von Werra standing in the cockpit. The front most part of the double chevron can be seen (as usual there is someone standing in the way), but little detail. Neither the engine cowling, nor rudder, which would be points of interest, are visible. The mottle that can be seen looks fairly heavy.

 

[eddiesolo]

Is this a early pic of the tail of his 109 E?

 

[stona]

That looks like the Bf 109 E in which he was shot down on 5th September 1940. That looks likethe man himself too, though I'm not sure.
It is probably one of the best known, most described and photographed of all the Emils to fall into British hands. Oddly another was Wilhelm Meyerweissflog's, who got lost and was also shot down over Kent on the same day!
Attached is a picture of the tail of von Werra's aircraft, now under new management.
Cheers
Steve

 

[Guest]

I have an osprey book which features him. I can check for you mate....

 

[Guest]

Good info, everyone. And John, that would be great!

 

[Guest]

It was a Bf 109F- Probably an early model. It is an F as you can judge from the supercharger intake
View attachment 271096

 

[Guest]

Here is a colour profile of an aircraft which would had been very similar to his own aircraft. You can see the forward cowling in the photo above agrees with this profile. This is a Bf 109F-2. He belonged to JG 53 Pik As Unit
As you can see in the above photo, I think he had a black chevron in his Aircraft code
View attachment 271097

 

[Guest]

Thanks John. I Think I have a good idea of how I am going to do it now.