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The markings on this plane are that of Erich Hartmann with
the black and white 'tulip' on the front of the plane and
the little red heart beneath the cockpit bearing the name of
his wife "Usch". The other markings are typical for a Me 109
such as the German cross on the fuselage and wings, the
swastika on the tail, and a yellow band painted near the
end of the fuselage indicating service on the eastern front.
In front of the cross on the fuselage are the black double
chevrons, the symbol indicating that he was the Group
Commander (Gruppenkommandeur) of the I./JG 52
(Jagdgeschwader 52).
The Me 109, also known as the Bf 109, was the most produced
fighter of World War II. Designed by Willy Messerschmitt in
the early 1930s, the Me 109 became the main German fighter
of the war. Over 30,000, of all variations, were built
during the war. Approximately 5500 G-14s were built between
July 1944 to February 1945. This version was basically an
improvement of the previous G-6. It was powered by the
Daimler-Benz DB605A liquid-cooled 12-cylinder in-line
engine. It had a MW 50 methanol/water injection system that
increased engine hp to 1800. The G-14 also had a lengthened
tail wheel, as well as being able to accommodate a small or
big tail fin. The wheels were bigger and had a rectangular
square upper wing surface blisters. This plane also had the
MK 108 30 mm engine cannon.
Erich Hartmann used this version near the end of the war.
Hartmann was known for sneaking up on enemy pilots and and
firing at very close range (20m/65.6 ft. or less). Most
pilots never knew what hit them until it was too late! His
many awards included the Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe
(September 13, 1943), German Cross in Gold (October 17,
1943), Iron Cross (2nd and 1st class), Knight's Cross
(October 29, 1943), with Oak Leaves (March 2, 1944), Swords
(July 2, 1944), and Diamonds (August 25, 1944). After the
war Hartmann spent 10 years in a Soviet POW camp. Upon his
release in 1955, he returned to West Germany and became an
officer in the West German Air Force. He was also the first
officer to command a unit (Jagdgeschwader 71, JG 71) composed
entirely of jets. In 1970, Hartmann retired from the West
German Air Force. For a few years after that he was a flight
instructor. Hartmann died in 1993, at the age of 71, after
having been the highest scoring ace in history.
Specifications for the Me 109 G-14
Dimensions:
Wingspan: 9.92 m (32.5 ft.)
Length: 8.94 m (29.3 ft.)
Height: 3.40 m (11.15 ft.)
Wing area: 16.05m2
Weight (empty): 2700 kg (5952.48 lbs.)
Weight (loaded): 3150 kg (6944.56 lbs.)
Motor:
Daimler-Benz DB605A
12-cylinder in-line engine with 1800 hp
Performance:
Max. speed: 623 kph at 7000 m; 544 kph at sea-level
Rate of climb to 6000 m (19,685 ft.): 6 minutes
Ceiling: 11750 m (38,549.87 ft.)
Max. Ceiling: 12200 m (40,026 ft.)
Armament:
2 X 13 mm machine guns above the engine
1 X 30 mm MK 108 canon firing through the spinner
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