BF109 tailwheel lock
 

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/9...0422233118.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~

" ...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/VintageNe...tt-Bf-109.aspx

So i think aswer is yes.

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/..._tailwheel.jpg

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

http://iaro.3dmax.hu/images/2012/04/..._tailwheel.jpg
http://iaro.3dmax.hu/images/2012/04/...wheel_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/...kschaltung.jpg

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

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

May I ask where you got the parts lists?

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

Hi. I bought this dvd:
Bf 109 blueprints, aircraft manuals Messerschmitt Me109

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

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?