Bf 109G-2 Trop "Black Six"

Black 6 on the flight line.
Type: Single-seat fighter
Werk #: 10639
Origin: Bayerische Flegzeugwerke, renamed Messerschmitt AG 1938

Powerplant:
Type: Daimler-Benz DB 605 A-1 liquid-cooled, inverted V12
Horsepower At Take-Off: 1,475 hp
Horsepower At 18,700 Ft.: 1,355 hp
Horsepower With GM1 At 27,890 Ft.: 1,250 hp

Fuel:
Capacity: N/A
Type: N/A

Dimensions:
Wing span: 32 ft 6.5 in.
Length: 29 ft 0.5 in.
Height: 8 ft 2.5 in.
Wing Surface Area: N/A

Weights:
Empty, Equipped: 4,968 lbs.
Normal, Loaded: 6,834 lbs.
Maximum, Overloaded: 7,055 lbs.

 Performance: At 6,834 lbs.
Maximum Speed:
317 mph at sea level
331 mph at 3,280 ft.
350 mph at 6,560 ft.
365 mph at 9,840 ft.
369 mph at 16,400 ft.
398 mph at 20,670 ft.
383 mph at 26,250 ft.
406 mph at 28,540 ft. (With GM1)

Range:
Internal Fuel Only
340 mls at 322 mph

With 66 Imp Gallon (300 Liter) Drop Tank
528 mls at 322 mph

Initial climb: N/A
Time to 9,840 ft (3,000m): N/A
Time to 18,700 ft (5,700m): N/A

Service Ceiling: 39,370 Ft.

Armament:
One 20mm Mg 151/20 engine mounted cannon with 150 rounds
And
Two 7.9mm MG17 fuselage mounted machine guns with 500 rpg.

Avionics:
N/A

Additional Images:
Image 1 - Black 6 in the workshop. View 1.
Image 2 - Black 6 in the workshop. View 2.
Image 3 - Black 6 in the workshop. View 3.

Black 6's final flight - October 12, 1997 Accident:
On October 12, 1997 the last German built, Daimler-Benz engined Bf 109 crashed while trying to make an emergency landing after developing engine problems at the Duxford Autumn Air Show. The pilot, Strike Command C-in-C Sir John Allison survived unscathed but the same cannot be said for Black 6. As the pictures show, Black 6 suffered significant damage and at present it's future is undecided though restoration to at least static display is almost guaranteed.
Black 6 was completing what was to be it's last flight to be permitted by the British Ministry Of Defence, the planes owners. Black 6 was seen to emit puffs of vapor - probably coolant - while performing a roll maneuver during it's final display. ACM Allison immediately lowered the gear and came in on a fast approach and touched down briefly on the runway before Allison was forced to pull up to avoid the M11 roadway. ACM Allison then proceeded to land Black 6 in a freshly ploughed field on the other side of the roadway. Black 6's landing gear sunk into the soft earth and flipped over.
Rescue crews were on hand immediately but were not permitted to cut ACM Allison out due to the pilot's insistance that the Gustav not be damaged further. It took the crews 45 minutes of digging before ACM Allison was able to emerge, luckily unhurt.
Restoration Team Leader Russ Snadden seemed optimistic about Black 6's potential to return to the sky and everyone is now waiting to hear the results of the AAIB inquiry and the MoD's final decision.

Images of the accident
Image 4 - Black 6 immediately after touching down.
Image 5 - Black 6 digging her nose in.
Image 6 - Black 6 on her back.
Image 7 - Aerial view oif crash site.
Image 8 - Black 6 being lifted to let pilot out.
Images 4-8 from Aeroplane Monthly December 1997 Issue.

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