BF109 tailwheel lock

[Varrattu]

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

So i think aswer is yes.

[VO101_Tom]

Originally Posted by Varrattu

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):



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




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.

[VO101_Tom]

Originally Posted by 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/VintageNe...tt-Bf-109.aspx

So i think aswer is yes.

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

[Robo.]

Originally Posted by VO101_Tom

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]

Originally Posted by VO101_Tom

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



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




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.

May I ask where you got the parts lists?

[DB605]

Originally Posted by Robo.

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.

[VO101_Tom]

Originally Posted by seaeye

May I ask where you got the parts lists?

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

[Varrattu]

Originally Posted by DB605

Of course this is possible, it just looks like the one that later versions had.

Looks like the WNr 3579 in ...

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

[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?