How to climb in a Fw 190 A-8 and Bf 109 G-2

[HenryLuebberstedt]

Due to a photo project with the Aviation Museum Hannover Laatzen I had the honour to climb into the cockpits of a Focke Wulf Fw 190 A-8 and a Bf 109 G-2. Oh boy, I hardly fit in the 109 workspace... Once more I realized how freaking awsome the cockpits of CloD are!

[ATAG_Snapper]

Great video! Thanks for sharing this, Henry!

You are far braver than me. I would need a bucket of axle grease to squeeze in, then a floor crane to hoist me out! LOL

[ATAG_Colander]

Very cool! I wish I had the opportunity to do that!

[HenryLuebberstedt]

Great video! Thanks for sharing this, Henry!

You are far braver than me. I would need a bucket of axle grease to squeeze in, then a floor crane to hoist me out! LOL

Harrharrrharr, what a picture I'm 1,83m tall and around 83 kg "heavy". The Focke Wulf was perfect. The cockpit felt almost modern. In the 109 its like you become a part of the plane, the "juicy filling" so to say. Well, I didn't try to adjust the pedals. With streched legs I'm sure I would fit better in that thing. After the 109 I was in the coickpit of their Spitfire MK XVIII (airworthy). A beauty from outside! Inside its surprisingly empty - no floor, visible cables and rods.

[HenryLuebberstedt]

Very cool! I wish I had the opportunity to do that!

Come over here!

[major_setback]

Lucky you!

It looks cramped. I wouldn't be able to get in. Or rather - I wouldn't be able to get out!

[IIJG27Rich]

Great video Henry

I think there were a couple of good tall 109 pilots well over 6 feet I don't know how they handled themselves in there without having a mental break down. I love 109s they are my favorite but when I was younger I was 6' 5" I can just imagine the sweat poring down from everywhere with my knees up at my ears trying to shake the Spitfire behind me.

Hannes Trautloft about 6' 3"

[TWC_Birdtail]

Watching this it got me thinking about the young men who flew bombers and fighters in WW2...how did they get out......300mph, on fire, injured, damaged, G forces.........sadly many did not. "Lest We Forget"

[HenryLuebberstedt]

Watching this it got me thinking about the young men who flew bombers and fighters in WW2...how did they get out......300mph, on fire, injured, damaged, G forces.........sadly many did not. "Lest We Forget"

That were my thoughts as well. In the 190 you have a fair chance getting out. In the tiny 109 with all your gear and the really heavy canopy... difficult.

[ATAG_Colander]

That were my thoughts as well. In the 190 you have a fair chance getting out. In the tiny 109 with all your gear and the really heavy canopy... difficult.

Didn't the 109 have explosives in the hinges just because of that?

[HenryLuebberstedt]

Didn't the 109 have explosives in the hinges just because of that?

Not sure but I don't think so. In the Fw 190 you have this big red notice sign (Achtung) on the armor plate with instructions how to arm/disarm the explosives. I didn't see such signs in the 109. I guess the 109 had some kind of mechanical emergency system to get rid of the roof plus the rear part of the canopy. In febuary I'm in the museum again and will have a closer look. cu!

[IIJG27Rich]

Didn't the 109 have explosives in the hinges just because of that?

Heavy springs when you pulled the jettison lever ..Pretty sure

[HenryLuebberstedt]

Great video Henry

I think there were a couple of good tall 109 pilots well over 6 feet I don't know how they handled themselves in there without having a mental break down. I love 109s they are my favorite but when I was younger I was 6' 5" I can just imagine the sweat poring down from everywhere with my knees up at my ears trying to shake the Spitfire behind me.

Hannes Trautloft about 6' 3"

6'3 is 1.90 meters - I' had no idea Trautloft was that tall! Maybe he flew without canopy
One of the members of the aviation museum was in the squadron of Erich Hartmann after the war. They flew F-86 at that time. Hartmann, he said, fits perfectly in the 109. He was 1,73 meters tall and skinny. He was an friendly opend minded guy and spoke frankly about his sorties, tactics and so on. But If you asked him about his time as POW in Russia he immediately got silent, his comrade recalls.

[IIJG27Rich]

Very interesting Henry

[9./JG52_Meyer]

Great little vid mate, i reckon i would fit in both nicely but... only if i was wearing my LW issued thong

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