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Me Bf 109 G "Gustav" Variants |
Me Bf 109 G-6
- G-6 (Light fighter)
- G-6/R2 (Reconnaissance fighter, with MW 50)
- G-6/R3 (Long-range reconnaissance fighter, with 2 × 300 L/80 US gal underwing droptanks)
- G-6 trop (Tropicalized fighter)
- G-6/U2 (Fitted with GM-1)
- G-6/U3 (Reconnaissance fighter)
- G-6/U4 (As G-6 but with 30 mm/1.18 in MK 108 Motorkanone engine cannon)
- G-6y (Command fighter)
- G-6/AS (High-altitude fighter with DB 605AS engine)
- G-6/ASy (High-altitude command fighter)
- G-6N (Night fighter, usually with Rüstsatz VI (two underwing MG 151/20 cannons) and sometimes with FuG 350Z Naxos)
- G-6/U4 N (as G-6N but with 30 mm/1.18 in MK 108 Motorkanone engine cannon)
- G-6 FuG 217
In February 1943, the G-6 was introduced with the 13 mm (.51 in) MG 131s, replacing the smaller 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 17 – externally this resulted in two sizeable Beule blisters over the gun breeches, reducing speed by 9 km/h (6 mph). Over 12,000 examples were built well into 1944 although contradictory factory and RLM records do not allow an exact tally.
The G-6/U4 variant was armed with a 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 108 cannon mounted as a Motorkanone firing through the propeller hub instead of the 20 mm MG 151/20. The G-6 was very often seen during 1943 fitted with assembly sets, used to carry bombs or a drop tank, for use as a night fighter, or to increase firepower by adding rockets or extra gondola guns.
Werfer-Granate 21
One offensive weapons upgrade in 1943 for the Bf 109G was one that mounted the Army`s Werfer-Granate 21 rocket weapon system with one launching tube under each wing panel. The rockets, fitted with a massive 40,8 kg (90 lbs) warhead, were aimed via the standard Revi reflector sights, and were spin-stabilized in flight. In emergency, the tubes could be jettisoned via a small explosive charge. Intended as a "stand-off" weapon, fired from a distance of 1,200 meters and outside the effective range of the formations defensive guns, it was employed against Allied bomber formations, the Wfr. Gr. 21 rocket was unofficially known as the BR 21 (Bordrakete 21 cm) for the Bf 109G-5, G-6 and G-14. The weapons system received the designation of Rüstsatz VII on the G-10.