Bf 109 G-6/U4 163824 NF + FY in the Australian War Memorial.

[Bob Lyons]

Also on display in the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, is this Bf 109G-6/U4, with an interesting post-war history...

Bob


Bf 109 G-6/U4 163824 NF + FY; Luftwaffe unit unknown. Held by the Australian War Memorial (AWM), Canberra. The last Bf-109 in the world still displaying its original camouflage and markings: a 1944 day-fighter scheme, with variations resulting from service repairs and replacements (e.g. one wing was replaced). Ex-post-war UK registration of G-SMIT, 163824 has twice been owned by the AWM: according to historian Michael Nelmes, the AWM disposed of it for £100 in 1963, to a member of the Illawarra Flying Club at Bankstown Airport in Sydney. It was later acquired by collector Sid Marshall, who had the aircraft suspended from the ceiling of his personal hangar. In 1979, an Australian owner of 163824 attempted to export it, for a reputed price of $10,000, to a British collector. However, any such export would have been illegal under Australian law and the aircraft was confiscated by Australian Customs and subsequently re-acquired by the AWM. It has been claimed that the seller temporarily covered the Bf-109 in a silver plastic protective film, supposedly in attempt to pass it off as a Mustang

[Bob Lyons]

Here are some archived photos of the '109 postwar when it was at Bankstown in Sydney.....


Bob

[reneblacky]

Great shots again Bob I hope you don't mind me adding pics here? Here's couple of different angles of the said aeroplane I've uploaded them in hi res so the WRF resizer will take the rest.

[wizardman]

Ill add one to it

[Bob Lyons]

Always nice to see extra shots of this very rare aircraft....


Bob

[Danmark]

I can add a photo from Sid Marshall's hanger in the late 1960's ( I think.... or early 70's )

We lived near the airport and I can remember staring up in wonder .... as I just had plastic models hanging from my ceiling!!!!


Cheers, Dan

edit: I should clarify by saying this particular photo was taken by another person - but it is a view I remember quite clearly from my youth!

[klot]

Great presentation of the aircraft on the pole. I've never seen before - a great idea. And beautiful airplane too, of course, mainly original color.

[HARRY THE MOLE]

A lovely aircraft, and it beggars belief that the AWM would see fit to dispose of it in 1963! Lets hope that now they have it back - they intend to keep it!

[Michael Ryan]

No Rene, you can't have it!!!!! It won't fit in your garage and wifie would definitly flip her lid if that thing turns up on a low loader truck. I am not going to sign this so you won't know who posted it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Signed XxXx

[Nathan362]

The best part about this plane is that it wears its original paint! I would rather see this than a polished new paint job (although those are nice too). I hope they never plan on repainting this. It would be like taking a slightly rough original helmet, and repainting it to make it look good. Thanks for sharing this.