Addendum CE Vol. I: Photo 32 – Bf 109 K-4
In 2011, we published a photo of a captured Bf 109 K-4 at Gardelegen. The aircraft’s serial number was not visible on our photo, but based on the camouflage scheme we expected that the aircraft was built in the 332xxx to 335xxx production batch.[a]
Meanwhile, additional photos of this Bf 109 K-4 at Gardelegen have been discovered that show that the last 3 digits of the serial number were 148.[b] It was most likely either W.Nr. 334148 or 335148. Bf 109 K-4 serial numbers starting with either 330xxx, 331xxx, 332xxx, 333xxx, 334xxx and 335xxx. 330xxx can be excluded as aircraft of this W.Nr. block typically had a different camouflage scheme. 331xxx, 332xxx and 333xxx can be excluded as there were most likely (based on known W.Nr.) no Bf 109 K-4s within these blocks with the last 3 digits 148.[c] W.Nr. 334148 and 335148 did most likely both exist.
Thank you Marc-André Haldimann for pointing out to me the additional photos of this aircraft!
[a]: Gaemperle, R. (2011) ‘Captured Eagles Vol. I’, Vintage Eagle Publishing, Zurich, Switzerland, ISBN 978-3-033-03007-7, p. 26
[b]: Haldimann, M.-A. (2015, 2017), Flickr Photo Album, online available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/28092068@N03/albums/72157631642553615 [accessed on 8 January 2018]
[b]: Poruba, T., Mol, K. (2000), ‘Messerschmitt Bf 109K – Camouflage & Marking‘, Japo, Hradec Ralove, Czech Republic, p. 12ff