Ferdinando D'Amico
My theory about the G-14/AS...
Tue Feb 18 18:08:58 2003
151.27.11.237

I 'd like to take a little bit of your time to illustrate my "theory" about the Bf 109 G-14/AS.

There were two versions of it, a G-14/AS "early", with a DB 605 AS and the ensuing "refined" cowl bulges, but with normal lower cowl (the same of the G-6/G-14), lower oil access hatch (36 lt. oil "horseshoe" tank) and, on the starboard side, lower access hatch for the "cold weather starting device".

(g14ASearly)

This was soon replaced in Regensburg factory, by a G-14/AS "late", whose only difference was the lower cowl, of the "double chin bulged" type, seized directly from the production lines of the K-4. This modification wasn't due to any other technical factor than the fact that such cowls were available in quantities, as I will prove in a few moments...

(g14ASlate)

The only immediate differences between the nose of a Regensburg's "late" G-14/AS and a WNF's G-10 or a K-4 were the two access hatches already mentioned, that on the G-10/K-4 were in a higher position due to the larger annular (50 lt.) oil tank and the higher "cold weather starting device".

(g10k4)

Another big difference between the G-14/AS and a G-10 was however hidden under the "chin bulges" of the lower cowl: in fact, once open, it was clearly visible that on a "late" G-14/AS the oil return tubing was running inside the forward lower panel outline, while on the DB 605 D-equipped versions, the same tubing had a deeper route, necessitating a "slit" cut out in the same lower panel and thus requesting the bulge.

(table)

Examples of the smooth forward panel (i.e., no "slit") notwithstanding the "chin-bulged" lower cowl can be seen on two different G-14/AS published in "Broken Eagles", Vol.2 pag.15 (middle) and Vol.3 pag.9 (top and middle).

Examples of the "slit" can instead be seen both in the "Walkaround" section of this site 

(610937.1)

as well as both in Janda-Poruba book on the Bf 109 K-4 at page 24 and in Poruba-Mol book on the Bf 109 K-4 Cam.&Mark. on page 19 & 22 (top).

Mine is only a theory, but I hope to have supplied enough facts to prove it. It may well be that some DB 605 AS engines received the enlarged cylinder covers of the "D" version (as M. Mermet stated), but what is visible proves, IMHO, that the "chin-bulged" lower cowls were mounted on the G-14/AS not because they were needed, but because they were available in quantities.

Hope this reading was not too boring.

All the best.

Ferdinando D'Amico

P.S. the technical drawings are not 100% accurate, but were the result of some "cut and paste", only to show the details I quoted in the text. They are no guideline to anything... :o)