Bf-109 on display at The National WWII Museum

[Warbirdnerd]

National WWII Museum in La. displays Nazi plane
By JANET McCONNAUGHEY – 13 hours ago

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The National World War II Museum on Wednesday unveiled a Nazi fighter plane rarely exhibited in the U.S., and it will be displayed in a simulated dogfight with its British adversary.

The Germans built more than 30,000 Messerschmitt Bf 109 from 1939-1945, and the fighter scored more verified kills than any other World War II aircraft. They looped, dived and rolled in dogfights over London with British Spitfires during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

The museum's Supermarine Spitfire IVB has been part of its collection since 1998, two years before it opened. It will be displayed in a simulated dogfight with a Messerschmitt Bf 109-G, which is among only a handful in U.S. collections, though there are more on display in Europe, said Seth Paridon, the World War II museum's research director.

The recently purchased fighter was assembled with parts from crash sites, former manufacturers and some new pieces, said Tom Czekanski, the museum's director of collections and exhibits. Czekanski said the museum had been talking with the restorer in Austria for about two years.

"One of the nice things about this was that it was affordable," he said. "It was in the $200,000 range. Recently, we were offered one that was a whole airplane that had crash-landed on a frozen lake in Russia and sank in the spring. That was in the $800,000 range."

Some museum visitors skipped lunch Wednesday to view the fighter.

"My grandfather was an aviation mechanic in Hungary" and probably worked on Messerschmitts since the country was allied with Nazi Germany, said John Christian Futo.

Others had an even more personal experience with the planes.

"I was hoping to see this one," said Pete Hardiman, of Hillsboro, Ore., gesturing toward the Spitfire. "It was one of the aircraft that I first flew when I came to England."

For Christine and Derek Young, the Messerschmitt and Spitfire were a bonus. They had spent the past 10 days on a U.S. Civil War trail from Memphis, Tenn., to New Orleans, and were heading back home to London after their museum visit.

Derek Young said he's been a fan of Spitfires since he saw some fly during the 1960s.

"They're quite unique — the engine sound, and those elliptical wings," he said. "You look at it and, if you've any feeling for aviation you know it's something special."

Found it here:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jnYk ... AD9344QK80

[Punisher05]

Curses! Stole my thunder!!!

I'm going to the display this weekend, where they will have it on the ground floor until it's hung next to the Spitfire. I'll have pics when I can.

From what I've seen, it looks like a K model but don't hold me to that.

[Jack Cook]

"I was hoping to see this one," said Pete Hardiman, of Hillsboro, Ore., gesturing toward the Spitfire. "It was one of the aircraft that I first flew when I came to England."

Wow Pete gets around!! Eagle Squadron, Mosquito night Intruder pilot, 4th FG, 355th FG and 18th FW in Korea. Founder and first president of the P-51 pilots association. Until..........they found out he was a fraud and threw him out!! Personally by Clayton Gross 354th FG ace. Mike Howell, who's dad john flew P-51B Shoo Shoo Baby in the 357th FG did the dirt digging on Pete.
Captain Pete Hardiman. Hillsboro, Oregon - Founder , President P - 51 Mustang Pilots Assn. Claims he was Pilot in RCAF, Eagle Squadrons, 4th FG with 4 Victories , DFC DFM etc. He was never in any of these and was NOT a Pilot. He has perpetrated this fraud for years. I exposed this imposter with help from 354th FG Ace Clayton Kelly Gross, past President of WW II Fighter Aces Assn. Kelly confronted Hardiman , forced him to confess that he was a liar and imposter , to cease representing himself as a War Hero, and resign as President of the P-51 Mustang Pilots Assn.
Mike Howell

[Dan K]

"I was hoping to see this one," said Pete Hardiman, of Hillsboro, Ore., gesturing toward the Spitfire. "It was one of the aircraft that I first flew when I came to England."

Wow Pete gets around!! Eagle Squadron, Mosquito night Intruder pilot, 4th FG, 355th FG and 18th FW in Korea. Founder and first president of the P-51 pilots association. Until..........they found out he was a fraud and threw him out!! Personally by Clayton Gross 354th FG ace. Mike Howell, who's dad john flew P-51B Shoo Shoo Baby in the 357th FG did the dirt digging on Pete.
Captain Pete Hardiman. Hillsboro, Oregon - Founder , President P - 51 Mustang Pilots Assn. Claims he was Pilot in RCAF, Eagle Squadrons, 4th FG with 4 Victories , DFC DFM etc. He was never in any of these and was NOT a Pilot. He has perpetrated this fraud for years. I exposed this imposter with help from 354th FG Ace Clayton Kelly Gross, past President of WW II Fighter Aces Assn. Kelly confronted Hardiman , forced him to confess that he was a liar and imposter , to cease representing himself as a War Hero, and resign as President of the P-51 Mustang Pilots Assn.
Mike Howell

One always hopes these guys would give it a rest when caught, but I suppose it's hard to stop if one is truly delusional.

Jack, you mentioned Hardiman is a non-pilot. Any idea if he is former military at all?

[Jack Cook]

Has near has mike could figure out he was in the RCAF in Canada in some capacity possibly a clerk. I don't believe he was even a private pilot.
He had a painting done of him flying "his" 355th FG P-51D made and donated it to the Tillamook Air Museum. Has far has I know it's still on display there Bill Marshall the 355th Fg historian who posts here would get a kick out of that has I believe Hardiman picked his dad's plane has his own:?

[lmritger]

Found a pic of the 109...



Hmm. A 2./JG 300 Bf 109G-14/AS... wonder if Mikael Olrog has any further data on this one.

[Michel Lemieux]

The only 109 in Austria as per Mikael site is: a G6

784993 Austria PV White 13
IV/JG53 Aviaticum Wiener Neustadt. Ex Spiesen-Elversberg, private owner. Consists of parts from many sources. The main contributor is Bf 109G-14/AS W.Nr. 784993 See below

This being said.....the canopy frame seem a bit too thin ???? Replica ?

[Michel Lemieux]

Code:

"One of the nice things about this was that it was affordable," he said. "It was in the $200,000 range.

For a genuine flying 109 with a DB !!!! Right

Or I guess some really turn lucky

[Rogue]

Dammit, I was there just a couple weeks too early.

[mtpopejoy]

Code:

"One of the nice things about this was that it was affordable," he said. "It was in the $200,000 range.

For a genuine flying 109 with a DB !!!! Right

Or I guess some really turn lucky

I was thinking the same thing.

[Augsburgeagle]

Hmm, wonder if it is anything other than just a bare fuselage. I can't see fug25 antenna or Moraine mast. Price is somewhat fishy for something more than just a fuselage.

[Glyn]

[quote="Warbirdnerd"][quote]National WWII Museum in La. displays Nazi plane


The museum's Supermarine Spitfire IVB has been part of its collection since 1998, two years before it opened. It will be displayed in a simulated dogfight with a Messerschmitt Bf 109-G, which is among only a handful in U.S. collections, though there are more on display in Europe, said Seth Paridon, the World War II museum's research director.

I VERY much doubt the Spitfire is a Mark IVB - but I'm much more inclined to believe a Mark VB.

[DaveM2]

Lynn

I have a heap of info on this, but will have to clear it first. It is a mix of original parts from several different aircraft ( NOS and wrecks) and new build material, so make of that what you will.

Dave

Last edited by DaveM2 on Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:49 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Augsburgeagle]

Please post what-ever infor you have,
cheers

[Michel Lemieux]

Wow...if they negociated a real McCoy for 200K$, then all the better for them.

Is it a shell ? And does it have an engine ?

Tks Dave