Bf.109z Twin

[kitnut617]

I've had an Airmodel 1/72 Bf.109Z arrive today which I thought was actually a What-If. After reading the instruction sheet it appears that there was a couple of airframes built but were destroyed in an air raid before they could fly.  Does anyone have any other gen on this type?

Robert

[NARSES2]

According to Putnam's "German Aircraft of WWII"

One prototype complete late 1942, but never flown. Two F-series airframes with a armament of 5 Mk 108 cannon. Planned were the Z-2 with 2 Mk 108's and 1,000kg bombload, Z-3 & Z-4 were Z-1/2 with Jumo 211 engines.

Progressive development of the concept eventually led to the Me 609

Doubtless others can offer more

Chris

[kitnut617]

Thanks.  5 Mk.108's, that's serious stuff B)  

[steelpillow]

AZ are bringing out a 109Z kit. 1:72 scale short-run injection, it comprises two 109G kits, plus a centre section designed in UK by RetroWing and manufactured by AZ.

http://www.modelarovo.cz/predstavujeme-messerschmitt-bf-109z-1-72-retrowing-az-model/?fbclid=IwAR24V91eC04hRWwwvupEiCop3epD0mqj4EvYdP2dPK62ssleroigdif-BpQ

This was the production version offered by Messerschmitt. As far as I can tell the rumoured 109F based prototype we read about never in fact existed - it is 100% whiff. AZ also do a 109F kit and the centre section fits it, so opportunities offer themselves.

According to Dan Sharp's research into original archive documents (Luftwaffe:Secret Designs bookazine), the relevant schnellstbomber programme began in May 1942. Messerschmitt first studied a composite Zwilling made from parts of several production types. Next came some generic 109 and 309 studies. The 109G based production design eventually emerged but was dropped early in 1943, in favour of what became the Do 335. There is no discussion of an interim 109F based prototype, which according to some very respected authors (one can add William Green's Warplanes of the Third Reich) would have been under construction during this period. It makes no sense, why would Messerschmitt be pursuing a parallel path for almost a year without it ever being mentioned in meeting after meeting? This would not be the first time I have caught Green swallowing an unsubstantiated tall story, so on balance I believe that AZ have captured the historical design.
But the undercarriage was moved a little inboard for some reason and I wonder if this is done with the kit or must we do that ourselves?

[The Wooksta!]

Amodel had a Bf 109Z in their range some years back and it wasn't that good.  RS Resins had one in resin in the mid 90s.  Both were based on an F airframe.

[PR19_Kit]

They should just sell the centre section as a conversion kit for those of us who want to Whiff it.

How about a Bf-109E based Zwilling, or a K even?

With reference to previous mentions of the subject, many of those books were written a long time ago, when more modern research methods weren't available, or maybe even access to the sources were still hidden.

[steelpillow]

Actually, I think two conversion kits and three 109s would be the way to go.

[steelpillow]

H'mm, I wonder what other planes have a root chord the same as the Bf 109?

[zenrat]

Actually, I think two conversion kits and three 109s would be the way to go.

Why stop there...

[kitnut617]

But the undercarriage was moved a little inboard for some reason and I wonder if this is done with the kit or must we do that ourselves?

Mostly to get the u/c under the weight of each fuselage **, but I think also because there wasn't enough room in the center section for two u/c legs retracting outwards if they were left in their normal position. The kit I have, which is resin, has the u/c moved closer to the fuselage.

** a lot of built twin fuselage models I've seen get the u/c wrong IMHO, they need to be placed like this kit if retaining the original u/c legs, or go like the F-82.

[PR19_Kit]

With a lot of (expensive) engineering they could have arranged the legs to fold at an angle, and lie almost alongside each other in the centre section. Like the wings on an E-2 Hawkeye.

Hardly practical in wartime, but in WhiffWorld.............?

[martinbayer]

Actually, I think two conversion kits and three 109s would be the way to go.

Why stop there...

I really like the way you guys think...

[Tophe]

Actually, I think two conversion kits and three 109s would be the way to go.

I am willing to help (dreaming of) but I need to go back to a twin-boomer...