In 1996 during the filming of the John Sullivan penned mini-series ‘Over Here’ a pair of Messerschmitt Bf-109G-2 aircraft, G-USTV and a German example, were operated from the Black Hangar airstrip on the north-eastern edge of Swanton Morley airfield in Norfolk. Dave Southwood was the pilot of G-USTV and gave what can only be described as a spellbinding display of the Messerschmitt at Swanton Morley using the unique topography of the airfield to full extent. For the three or four of us present that morning, I was on refuelling duty that day, the sight and sound of the Messerschmitts chasing low across the airfield was very impressive. Here are a few pictures I took of G-USTV parked during a break in the filming, I hope they might be of interest.
Chris
Messerschmitt Bf-109G-2 G-USTV at Swanton Morley 1996
Re: Messerschmitt Bf-109G-2 G-USTV at Swanton Morley 1996
Offt! What some of us would do to have a real 109 operated in the UK!
Re: Messerschmitt Bf-109G-2 G-USTV at Swanton Morley 1996
Superb images. As Dan says, such a menacing machine.
HTAFC
Re: Messerschmitt Bf-109G-2 G-USTV at Swanton Morley 1996
Ain't nothing wrong with a Buchon.
Though proper '109's are just peachy, particularly those of the Emil type!
Though proper '109's are just peachy, particularly those of the Emil type!
Re: Messerschmitt Bf-109G-2 G-USTV at Swanton Morley 1996
Don't know about evil, but certainly a very Germanic look. But great pictures, that's for sure!
Pte. Aubrey Gerald Harmer, R. Suss. R. (att. to the Sherwood Foresters) KIA 26/9/1917 Polygon Wood, aged 19, NKG. RIP
Re: Messerschmitt Bf-109G-2 G-USTV at Swanton Morley 1996
In my opinion one of the greatest looking warbirds ever. Fantastic pictures!
Re: Messerschmitt Bf-109G-2 G-USTV at Swanton Morley 1996
I'm currently reading Dilip Sarkar's recent book on Douglas Bader, and he describes the Me 109F (he says Me, not Bf) as looking 'not unlike a Spitfire', and having an 'almost elliptical wing'. In actual fact, the Bf 109F's wing had straight leading and trailing edges, so in no way was it elliptical.
I wouldn't really recommend this book to anyone as it doesn't add anything to our knowledge of Douglas Bader IMHO, and it contains a number of spelling errors for exampe, 'West Mailing' for West Malling etc.
I wouldn't really recommend this book to anyone as it doesn't add anything to our knowledge of Douglas Bader IMHO, and it contains a number of spelling errors for exampe, 'West Mailing' for West Malling etc.
Pte. Aubrey Gerald Harmer, R. Suss. R. (att. to the Sherwood Foresters) KIA 26/9/1917 Polygon Wood, aged 19, NKG. RIP
Re: Messerschmitt Bf-109G-2 G-USTV at Swanton Morley 1996
Great set of pictures, got to love a 109.
Regards, Ken
Re: Messerschmitt Bf-109G-2 G-USTV at Swanton Morley 1996
AlexC wrote:...the Me 109F (he says Me, not Bf)...
Designed by Willy Messerschmitt at Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in the early 1930s, a company so named until taken over in 1938 by Willy Messerschmitt who named the new company after himself.
Re: Messerschmitt Bf-109G-2 G-USTV at Swanton Morley 1996
Very nice indeed. I had no idea that G-USTV was even in these colours.
The current thinking seems to be that either "Me" or "Bf" is correct. There is evidence (I can't remember where I saw it) that the Luftwaffe themselves used both - even in the same document.
The current thinking seems to be that either "Me" or "Bf" is correct. There is evidence (I can't remember where I saw it) that the Luftwaffe themselves used both - even in the same document.
My Air History photos https://www.airhistory.net/photographer ... k-Ferguson
Re: Messerschmitt Bf-109G-2 G-USTV at Swanton Morley 1996
Rule 27 wrote:Designed by Willy Messerschmitt at Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in the early 1930s, a company so named until taken over in 1938 by Willy Messerschmitt who named the new company after himself.
I was aware of all that. but thanks all the same, although I'd think that mid-thirties was more accurate. All of my own books refer to the 109 as 'Bf' as well as the 110 of course. The one exception being the Aircraft of the Fighting Powers published during WWII which is hardly surprising.
Pte. Aubrey Gerald Harmer, R. Suss. R. (att. to the Sherwood Foresters) KIA 26/9/1917 Polygon Wood, aged 19, NKG. RIP