Bf109 (geek) question

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

Was watching some video of restored Bf109s recently and also some historical footage. Historical footage shows Bf109E and G models startup where two ground crew on a hand crank spin up a flywheel. Seems pretty crude compared to allied planes. The restored models (E and G) have an electric starter aboard. Is that starter a latter day addition, or did Germany have them available before war's end?

[Subdeacon Joe]

Starters of the era were pretty bulky and heavy.  The -109 was a lean, mean fighting machine.   Leaving out a starter saved weight.  Also reduced the need for starter carts and other such things that added to the headache of supply and logistics.

[Marshal Dan Troop 70448]

6 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

Starters of the era were pretty bulky and heavy.  The -109 was a lean, mean fighting machine.   Leaving out a starter saved weight.  Also reduced the need for starter carts and other such things that added to the headache of supply and logistics.

Subdeacon  has it right. On the Russian Front during the harsh winters, dad said they started up easy hand cranked. Besides, if they had starters, each plane would need to be covered and heated because of batteries freezing during either night or day times.  I believe I already wrote a time back, adding kerosene to the oil, helped in keeping oil flow free and thinner for easier starting. Cockpit heat was almost non-existent. MT

[Subdeacon Joe]

1 hour ago, Marshal Dan Troop 70448 said:

Subdeacon  has it right. On the Russian Front during the harsh winters, dad said they started up easy hand cranked. Besides, if they had starters, each plane would need to be covered and heated because of batteries freezing during either night or day times.  I believe I already wrote a time back, adding kerosene to the oil, helped in keeping oil flow free and thinner for easier starting. Cockpit heat was almost non-existent. MT

 

Thanks, MT.  I hoped you would comment on this.  I had read, back in my teens, an interview with one of the Experten who made the comment about saving weight.  Good to have it confirmed by you.  

[Grampaw Willie, SASS No.26996]

From _Messerschmitt Aces_ (Walter A Musciano), p.160 & ff:    "What was it like to fly the BF-109G6?"

 

"When you are ready, a member of the ground crew closes and locks the canopy,   a task that the pilot would find very difficult to accomplish.  With the switch and magnetos on,   propeller pitch at full increase, and the fuel/air mixture set at full rich, you signal the ground crew to stand clear and push the starter.   The Diamler-Benz engines fire promptly  (in the bitter cold of the Russian front pre-heating the engine and adding kerosene to the oil were necessary).    After a jerk or two the propellor spins to life and black smoke puffs from the stubby exhaust stacks.    should the battery fail to start the engine the ground crew will crank the inertial starter from the right, or starboard side, of the cowl.   When the inertial wheel is up to speed and the ground crew has removed the crank , you can again push the starter.

 

(continues, if you want me to type in some more)

 

 

[Marshal Dan Troop 70448]

All BF109 from designated G to K   only with the Daimler Benz engines which had electric starters. Those before did not because of the size, unreliability, and weight. Also G to K some did not have the Daimler Benz engines.  MT

Just to add, fuel was at a premium on the front. Actually a Anlasswagen, (portable generator) was dragged around from plane to plane to give enough juice to starters. It was a slow process since ground crews had to go from plane to plane, and the fuel could be used better to heat the barracks. It was easier and faster to get planes in the air by using the hand crank. All you had to do was crank enough to get the flywheel spinning, and then the starter switch was pulled which engaged the solenoid which engaged the engine and spin it over for starting. A very simple design that worked and was proven over and over in the harsh winters of Russia.