BF109 tailwheel lock

[Varrattu]

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/9481/shot20120422233118.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/542/shot20120422233118.jpg/)



The picture shows the tailwheel lock immediatly under the canopy sill.

Question:
Were the BF109E-1, BF109E-3 or BF109E-4 equipped with a tailwheel lock?

~S~

[DB605]

" ...I scowled at the tailwheel locking mechanism mounted beneath the canopy rail directly under my left elbow. I had already knocked that lever several times, but I mustn’t do it again. Performing a take-off or landing with the tailwheel unlocked was guaranteed to have an unpleasant outcome."

Quote from article "Bouncing Clouds - Flying the Messerschmitt Bf-109e", you can found it here: http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/124/language/en-CA/Bouncing-Clouds--Flying-the-Messerschmitt-Bf-109.aspx

So i think aswer is yes.

[VO101_Tom]

Question:
Were the BF109E-1, BF109E-3 or BF109E-4 equipped with a tailwheel lock?
~S~

Hi Varrattu. No, the E has no tailwheel lock mechanism. I copy a drawing, from the Bf 109 E ersatzteilliste (parts list):

http://iaro.3dmax.hu/images/2012/04/24/bf109e_tailwheel.jpg

Compare with the G tailwheel, you can easily notice the differences:

http://iaro.3dmax.hu/images/2012/04/24/bf109g_tailwheel.jpg
http://iaro.3dmax.hu/images/2012/04/24/bf109g_tailwheel_lock.jpg

Edit.
In the 109 handbook (Betriebs und Rustalneitung), this lever is called: Tankdruckschaltung. I think, before refuel, you open the Tank-cap with this lever.http://iaro.3dmax.hu/images/2012/04/24/tankdruckschaltung.jpg

[VO101_Tom]

" ...I scowled at the tailwheel locking mechanism mounted beneath the canopy rail directly under my left elbow. I had already knocked that lever several times, but I mustn’t do it again. Performing a take-off or landing with the tailwheel unlocked was guaranteed to have an unpleasant outcome."

Quote from article "Bouncing Clouds - Flying the Messerschmitt Bf-109e", you can found it here: http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/124/language/en-CA/Bouncing-Clouds--Flying-the-Messerschmitt-Bf-109.aspx

So i think aswer is yes.

Hmm... maybe the later E models is equipped with this...?

[Robo.]

Hmm... maybe the later E models is equipped with this...?

That is restored aircraft, might be just for safety reasons on this particluar example.

[seaeye]

Hi Varrattu. No, the E has no tailwheel lock mechanism. I copy a drawing, from the Bf 109 E ersatzteilliste (parts list):

http://iaro.3dmax.hu/images/2012/04/24/bf109e_tailwheel.jpg

Compare with the G tailwheel, you can easily notice the differences:

http://iaro.3dmax.hu/images/2012/04/24/bf109g_tailwheel.jpg
http://iaro.3dmax.hu/images/2012/04/24/bf109g_tailwheel_lock.jpg

Edit.
In the 109 handbook (Betriebs und Rustalneitung), this lever is called: Tankdruckschaltung. I think, before refuel, you open the Tank-cap with this lever.http://iaro.3dmax.hu/images/2012/04/24/tankdruckschaltung.jpg

May I ask where you got the parts lists?

[DB605]

That is restored aircraft, might be just for safety reasons on this particluar example.

Of course this is possible, it just looks like the one that later versions had.
http://pic16.picturetrail.com/VOL699/3993360/15831902/173404297.jpg

[VO101_Tom]

May I ask where you got the parts lists?

Hi. I bought this dvd:
Bf 109 blueprints, aircraft manuals Messerschmitt Me109 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bf-109-blueprints-aircraft-manuals-Messerschmitt-Me109-/290693146862?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3D UA%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D220941415238%26ps%3D63%26clk id%3D7952335528262163526)

[Varrattu]

Of course this is possible, it just looks like the one that later versions had.
http://pic16.picturetrail.com/VOL699/3993360/15831902/173404297.jpg

Looks like the WNr 3579 in ...

The Messerschmitt Bf 109
Part 1: Prototype to 'E' Variants
by Lynn Ritger


http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4228/unbenanntaus.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/19/unbenanntaus.jpg/)

[DB605]

Yep it is same plane. I have that book also. I tried to find more info about tailwheel lock but no luck so far. Maybe it was equipped from E-7 onwards?

[seaeye]

Hi. I bought this dvd:
Bf 109 blueprints, aircraft manuals Messerschmitt Me109 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bf-109-blueprints-aircraft-manuals-Messerschmitt-Me109-/290693146862?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3D UA%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D220941415238%26ps%3D63%26clk id%3D7952335528262163526)

Thank you.