The performance of the Bf 109 F-4

Identification of the Bf 109 F-4 variant

Viewing the performance curves of the Bf 109 F-4 yielded by test flights people are continually making the assumption, that the used test plane was a variant equipped with GM-1. This can be definitely contradicted by the specified flight weight. For this purpose we will have a view on the corresponding valid loading plans.

Fig. 2: Loading plan of the Bf 109 F-4, 14th May 1941 - Source: P.R.O.		Fig. 3: Loading plan of the Bf 109 F-4, 1st September 1941 - Source: P.R.O.

The comparison of the loading plans for a standard F-4 (2890 kg) and a F-4/Z equipped with GM-1 (3000 kg) shows by the weight, that the test plane was clearly a standard fighter type.

The loading plans provide also a base for a better temporal ranging in of the performance curves of the fig. 1. In May 1941 the Bf 109 F-4 was listed with 2870 kg, in November 1941 with 2890 kg. The loading plan from Mai 1941 has additionally a date stamp from Juli 1941. This could be a hint, that the first performance comparison was not flown before August 1941.