Erickson Messerschmitt flies

[JohnTerrell]

Is the engine Cowl the same length as the original?

Don't refer to the in-flight photo, as it is from a weird angle and is distorted, making everything seem a bit off/squished horizontally.

The whole re-engine project centered on ensuring the thrust-line/prop/spinner location was all precisely the same as if a DB605 engine was installed - everything with regard to the engine mounting was to ensure that was accomplished. The project only took the last 2-3 years to accomplish, exemplifying just how well thought-out and executed the whole thing was. As has been stated, the cowlings are all authentic/un-modified externally (all original), and they are mounted to the airframe and are hinged to open all as per original - un-modified, and fitting perfectly between the firewall and spinner, as the spinner/prop is in the exact same location as if a DB605 was installed. These cowlings are correct for the Bf-109G-10, and are not the same type of cowlings as used on earlier G's (which has led to some confusion). These late-G/K type cowlings have some more bulging to them in areas that the earlier G cowlings do not, but are the same that you will find on other G-10's both in the past and today.

For accurate reference to the aircraft, refer to these photos (all photos by Randy Malmstrom, as shared on the WIX Facebook page):















The late G/K type tail - not only "correcting" the Buchon tail, but also providing, again, the right look/spec for a Bf-109G-10.

Last edited by JohnTerrell on Wed May 03, 2017 10:19 am, edited 1 time in total.

[pjpahs]

Yagens m109G4 has a vertical frame part on the sides of the canopy as the "before" photo of the Erickson Buchon. The Erickson M109G10 has no such vertical frame. Is this what's called the "Galland Hood". Or do all G10's have that canopy? A lovely aircraft which I will see in July , when in Oregon for a wedding.

[redvanner]

Yagens m109G4 has a vertical frame part on the sides of the canopy as the "before" photo of the Erickson Buchon. The Erickson M109G10 has no such vertical frame. Is this what's called the "Galland Hood". Or do all G10's have that canopy? A lovely aircraft which I will see in July , when in Oregon for a wedding.

Here is a mixup often found when dealing with 109 canopies. The "Galland Hood" is a misnomer, as it is not a hood, but an armor plate installed behind the pilot´s head (in fact using armored glass too). The "new" style of canopy is correctly called "ERLA Haube" (ERLA canopy), as the ERLA company of Leipzig (BTW they built over 1/3 of all 109´s produced, more than either Messerschmitt or WNF) developed and introduced this kind of canopy. IMHO late G-6, G-10, and G-14´s had them, as well as K-4´s. It was introduced into the running production line, if and when the different producers used them for which subtype I do not know. IIRC all G-10, G-14 and K-4 had the ERLA canopy.

Michael

[Mathieu]

First time that I see such a rudder, is it a custom design for this 109?

[JohnTerrell]

As with the cowlings and canopy, the vertical tail fin and rudder are correct for the Bf 109G-10. Do a Google search for images of original Bf 109G-10's and you'll see the exact same tail fin/rudder.

[Mathieu]

Thanks John, I've learned something about the 109G-10 today!

[airnutz]

The late G/K type tail - not only "correcting" the Buchon tail, but also providing, again, the right look/spec for a Bf-109G-10.

Nicht haben ze zwei aubenflache trimmenKlappe?

[lmritger]

As with the cowlings and canopy, the vertical tail fin and rudder are correct for the Bf 109G-10. Do a Google search for images of original Bf 109G-10's and you'll see the exact same tail fin/rudder.

Well, no, it's not.

The fin cap is mostly correct, but the trailing edge of this rudder has a far more pronounced curve and the trim tab is more angled than an original wartime variant. Given the amount of engineering that went into the powerplant conversion, I suspect they may have intentionally added a bit of extra surface to the rudder to give a bit better control, but that's only a guess. It will be interesting to see flight test data and comments from pilots who are familiar with flying the DB engined birds, to see how this compares to the wartime version.

I am still incredibly impressed with how well this conversion worked out, and just wish Erickson had put the thing in a proper G-10/K-4 scheme... but paint scheme accuracy is not a priority with that owner. With that said, the paint shop did a fabulous job in recreating Graf's distinctive JGr 50 markings.

Lynn

[JohnTerrell]

Yes, not perfect, but pretty darn close. This rudder doesn't have the extra trailing-edge tabs that some had.

[Triplane102]

Many Thanks, John T. !!

[gregv]

Very impressive build, looks great! Many schemes to pick from and we all have our favorites I'm sure.

Rudder looks ok to me, but I'm no '109 expert; however as with all things about late-war '109's there were several variations of the "tall" tail; they're explained here rather well:

http://109lair.hobbyvista.com/index1024.htm

Looks like the late-war with no extra/external tabs and the straight lower edge maybe?

Be great to see this with the extended rear oleo as well, always been a fan of that and from what I gather helped visibility on the ground.

cheers

gv

[bomberfan]

I know it is upright and they made it look right with modified stacks....

But back then (not smart and not knowing) I was wondering if running an Allison inverted was possible for look alike recreations. Like motoring a Casa HE111 so it would "look" closer to the real McCoy...


Still VERY VERY impressed by what was done by the Erickson team did.....

I was thinking the exact same thing, maybe I'm just being greedy, but I've never seen any variation of a He-111 and would love to see one fly. But it'd be even better if it looked like a German built machine instead of a
Casa version.

[JonL]

The nose profile sort of looks He100 ish........

[mukflyer]

Hello, I am one of the people who help build the "Erickson 109". I have come here today to post some information to help answer questions.

Why an Allison? Because it is cheaper to overhaul and has a better record of use, the airframe is a true Buchon and we are not trying to call it a "True 109" like many of the DB powered Buchon's are called.

Is it upright or inverted? Upright. How do we cool exhaust? There are several small scoops on the ORIGINAL 109 cowling that we installed that are un-used for the Allison, with those we were able to get plenty of air across the exhaust pipes.

Is the cowl original? Yes the cowl, all of it, is ORIGINAL and sourced from several places in Europe. Others have stated that we copied the Evergreen 109 cowl. We only used it to test if real cowl would fit, after that we set about finding real cowls.

Who built the plane Pacific Fighters or Erickson? The plane was first sent to Pacific fighter, but after paint striping, electrical and some wing and rudder sheet metal work. the plane was brought to the Erickson Museum in Oregon where it was built. Erickson designed the engine mount and a local aerospace company produced it. To answer the question, I would say 90% of the restoration took place over 18 months at Erickson.

John Romaine flew it, and was very pleased. It is slightly faster than a stock Buchon.

Is the rudder correct, Yes look at your books, there were 3 different rudders used on the "Tall" vertical. All with different tab configurations and lights.

Thank you
JM

[StangStung]

Thanks for the info JM, most informative!