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Bf 109G "Gustav"

Bf 109G-6 on display in the Polish Aviation Museum in Cracow

When the 1475 PS Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine was available, a new Bf 109 series, the G-series, was developed. The early versions of the Bf 109 G looked quite similar to the Bf 109 F-4, and at first carried the same armament. The G-series saw the appearance of the notorious bulges in the cowling (caused by the DB 605 (additional cooling) and by replacing the 7.92 mm MG 17 with 13 mm MG 131 machine guns (G-5 onwards)) and on the wings (due to larger main gear wheels, G-4 onwards), leading to the Bf 109 G's nickname "The Bulge" (German: "Die Beule"). The DB 605 suffered several reliability problems during the first year of operation forcing Luftwaffe units to lower max power to about 1310 PS (975 kW) until October/November 1943. Other changes included an enlarged supercharger for the DB 605 (the /AS subversions) and the enlarged vertical stabilizer (G-5 onwards). All this was part of the continuous effort to increase the speed of the Bf 109, especially as the Allies deployed better and faster fighters like the P-51D and the later Spitfires. However, the added weight of the new engines and heavier armaments badly affected the handling characteristics of the Bf 109, especially since it already had a very high wing loading.

The G-6 model, the most produced Bf 109 version, had very heavy armament. The G-6/U4 variant with Rüstsatz R6 was armed with two 13 mm MG 131 above the engine, a 30 mm MK 108 cannon shooting through the propeller hub and one 20 mm MG 151/20 below each wing. The G-6 was very often fitted with assembly sets, used to carry bombs or a drop tank, for use as nightfighter, or to increase fire power by adding rockets or extra guns.

Many subsequent Bf 109 G versions were modified older Bf 109Gs. So the G-10 was not a uniform type, but consisted of all kinds of Bf 109 Gs being transformed partially to Bf 109 G-10 specifications as well as completely new built aircraft. The most recognizable change was the optional use of the "ERLA-Haube" canopy, sometimes referred to (incorrectly) as the 'Galland' hood. This canopy improved the pilot's view by reducing the number of support struts, which was often criticized before. The Bf 109 G-10, also nicknamed "Super-Bulge" (German: "Super-Beule"), saw a refinement of the bulges covering the breeches of the cowl mounted MG 131, these taking on a more elongated and streamlined form. A similar varying product was the Bf 109G -12. This was a two-seat trainer version of the Bf 109 and was rarely armed. The G-14 was basically a late-war Bf 109 G-6 with some parts (e.g. the tailfin) made of wood because of the shortage of strategic materials, especially aluminium.

Bf 109G variants and sub-variants

The Bf 109 had three different states of modifications but only the first two affected the planes's model number designation:

1. Rüststand: A factory modification of a standard aircraft to fulfil a special task like recon, fighter-bomber or all-weather flying, usualy requiring extensive modifications, identified by the /Rx designation
2. Umbausatz: Done at the factory or in repair workshops, permanent installation of extra equipment like boost agents or special engines, identified by the /Ux designation
3. Rüstsatz: small modifications done in the field, add-on equipment like drop tanks or additional guns/rockets, does not affect the model number

Common Rüststand numbers R2: Rb 50/30 camera; R5: two 12.5/7x9 or 32/7x9; both with MG 151/20 + two MG 131

• R1 Fighter-bomber modification, more armor protection against ground fire especially at the engine, underwing hardpoints for bombs or drop tanks
• R2 Reconaissance modification, camara equipment, usually less or no armament, sometimes even armor removed to save weight and gain speed, additional underwing drop tanks possible
• R3
• R4
• R5
• R6 All-weather capable fighter, additional navigation equipment
• AS DB 605A engine replaced by DB 605AS engine, modified tail fin, many of them with ERLA-canopy

Common Umbausatz numbers

• U1 Messerschmitt P6 reversible pitch propellor to be used as air brake, only prototypes
• U2 GM-1 boost
• U3 MW 50 boost
• U4 30 mm MK 108 engine-mounted cannon

Common Rüstsatz numbers

• RI (R1) belly bomb rack for 250 or 500 kg bomb
• RII (R2) wing bomb racks for 4x 50 kg bombs or 2x WGr21 rockets (or, for the G-1 to G-4 series, recon equipment)
• RIII (R3) belly drop tank (300 l)
• RIV (R4) two 30 mm MK 108 underwing gunpods
• RVI (R6) two 20 mm MG 151/20 underwing gunpods

Known Variants

• G-1 (Pressurized fighter)
  • G-1/U2 (High altitude fighter with GM1)
• G-2 (Light fighter)
  • G-2/R1 (Fighter-bomber- 2 underwing drop tanks, extra tail wheel)
  • G-2/R2 (Reconnaissance fighter)
  • G-2 Trop (Tropicalized fighter)
• G-3 (Pressurized fighter based on G-1 with new radio equipment, only 50 built)
• G-4 (Reconnaissance fighter)
  • G-4/R2 (Reconnaissance fighter)
  • G-4/R3 (Reconnaissance fighter)
  • G-4 Trop (Tropicalized Reconnaissance fighter)
  • G-4/U3 (Reconnaissance fighter with MW50)
• G-5 (Pressurized fighter)
  • G-5/U2 (High altitude fighter with GM1 boost)
  • G-5/U3 (Fitted with MW-50)
  • G-5/AS (High altitude fighter with DB605AS)
• G-6 (Light fighter)
  • G-6/R3 (Reconnaissance fighter)
  • G-6 Trop (Tropicalized fighter)
  • G-6/U2 (Fitted with GM-1)
  • G-6/U3 (Fitted with MW-50)
  • G-6/U4 (MK108 30 mm engine cannon)
  • G-6/AS (High altitude fighter with DB605AS)
  • G-6N (Night fighter, usually with R6 and FuG 350Z Naxos)
  • G-6/U4 N (as G-6N but with 30 mm MK 108 engine cannon)
• G-8 (dedicated reconnaissance fighter, based on G-6 with camera installation behind cockpit, reduced armament in some planes)
• G-10 (Light fighter with DB605D/DM/DBM engine)
  • G-10/R5 (Reconnaissance fighter)
  • G-10/AS (High altitude fighter with DB605ASM)
  • G-10/U4 (Fitted with MK 108 30 mm engine cannon)
• G-12 (Two-seat trainer, built from older G-1/G-5)
• G-14 (Light fighter, evolution of G-6)
  • G-14/AS (High altitude fighter with DB605ASM);
  • G-14/U4 (Fitted with MK 108 30 mm engine cannon)
• G-16 (Fighter Bomber); based on G-14 with additional armor - production started but soon after war was over

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