FS 2004
Messerschmitt Bf109G-6 Erla Haube Released
by Design Team Daedalus
Unit: Grupul 9 vanatoare, San Giovanni, Italy
Pilot: Prince Constantin Cantacuzino
This unique plane was overpainted with rough US markings and used to fly Lt.Col James A Gunn, THE ranking USAAF POW in Rumania - in the radio compartment - to Italy to arrange the repatriation of over 1,000 USA POWs held in Rumania to prevent them falling into Soviet hands. Prince Cantacuzino returned to combat, this time against the Germans. He scored 69 victories, mostly Soviet, but also Luftwaffe and even 1 USAAF B-24. In 1947 he escaped from the communist Rumanian government and settled in Spain.
In late summer of 1943 two improvements were made to improve all around pilot vision which was restricted by the standard Bf109 canopy and all metal head armor.
The Erla Haube canopy was introduced at the end of 1943 which eliminated to heavy canopy framing and improved the pilots vision in all direction. Many in-service Bf109-G's were retrofitted in the field, but the overwhelming majority were factory installed and it became the canopy for all following Messerschmitt marks.
Also, the so called Galland Panzer head armor with the upper section made of bullet proof glass improving the pilots vision to the rear became the production standard and again, was retrofitted
to many 109's already in field.
Even so, there was no "standard" Bf 109G-6, as the production included different radio equipment, oil cooler types, antenna masts, etc. which were available at different times during the production runs. So each model we have created has its own unique features.
Pstrany developed the models using Paul Rebuffat's Messerschmitt model - with permission - as a starting framework and updated the shape, and added a plethora of details, new parts, and ideas. Pstrany also developed the models for the drop tanks, weapons and racks.
Captain Kurt created paints for each, the 2D instrument panel, the individual .dp files, the air files and the aircraft.cfg files.
Mav SCASM edited each model so that they have animated wing slats, drop tanks, and other features, as well as optimizing models for the best possible frame rates. Mav also developed the idea for the 2d panel to be offset for the Revi gun sight to match the CFS2 reticle.
We have all benefited from the assistance and guidance of others in the community. Special thanks to Wolfi and Huub Vink for their kind assistance and to all who have contributed their knowledge directly and indirectly.
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