Originally posted by Bruno
It wasn't nuetered, it should never had gondolas to begin with. Gondolas were only available on the F-4/R1 which had different wings then the other F-4 versions. Only 240 /R1 F-4s were produced (out of 1841 total F-4s production) and not all of them had the gondolas mounted.
That quote provided is in error. Galland's flew F-2/U and F-6/U (Galland Special) which was a field conversion for his own personal aircraft. These had 2 MGFF/M mounted in the wings not slung underneath. Galland's issues with the firepower on the F series was with the F-2 which had a single MG151/15mm. Galland's final reply to Mölders' "One in the nose is better than two in the wings" was "I'd rather have all three". Galland got what he wanted for his own use...
FYI:
Bf 109F-4/R6
Engine: DB 601E
Armament: 2 MG 17 in cowl,
1 MG 151/20 firing through spinner,
ETC 250 rack with 300l drop tank,
1 SC 250 bomb or (with ER 4 adapter) 4 SC 50 bombs
Radio: FuG 7a
Gunsight: Revi C/12D reflector
Point being is no gondolas for the 109F-4...
Guess the drop tank goes next?
I don't recall saying he flew a 109F-4.
"The armament Bf of 109F-4 caused the most contradictory opinions of the most experimental pilot- destroyers of Germany. If Werner [Melders] was completely satisfied by easy armament from 20- mm of gun and two machine guns, then Adolf [Galland] examined the reduction of the composition of the armament of aircraft with step back. The as a result very first “collection of the armament of field installation”, developed for Bf 109F, was to vapor 20- mm of guns MG 151 in the wing pods with 120 projectiles in the stem. Destroyer with them obtained the designation Bf of 109F-4/R1. "
"Although the new guns made a destroyer dangerous enemy for the bombers, aircraft handling deteriorated, and chances in combat “destroyer against the destroyer” were lowered. Destroyer in this case acquired tendency toward the swaying. Swaying it was sultry by rudder, but in this case was required thorough balancing by trim tabs, in order not to lose “the aircraft feel”. H[a] Bf of 109F-4 tested still several of “the collections” of armaments, but for the change of a series F a series G already went, so that a few entered into service. True, on several aircraft was used the holder under the fuselage, capable of bearing 250- kgf bomb, 300- l tank or through the adapter ER 4- four 50- kgf of bomb. These destroyers were called Bf 109F-4/R6."
Translated
How Many Plain 109F-4 were made?
