Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6

A KG 13A control stick in a Bf 109 G

This is my first post. The intention of this blog is to give readers more information about aircraft control sticks of the German Luftwaffe in WWII. There will be information both about the different control stick models in use as well as the specific application to certain aircraft models.

I start with the most common fighter plane of the German Luftwaffe, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6. 

CONTROL STICK:
The Bf 109 G-6 used a KG 13A (Knüppelgriff 13A). It had the Fl-number Fl 47915 (Gerät-Nr. 102-288A). 

ARMAMENT:
The Bf 109 G-6was equipped with two fuselage mounted MG 131 13mm machine guns and one engine mounted MG 151 20mm cannon. Rüstsatz R6 offered the possibility to add one MG 151 20mm cannon underneath each wing.

ELECTRICAL WIRING DIAGRAM:

Each device that was connected to the electrical circuit received a code consisting of a letter, that designated the type of equipment, and a number. The control stick in the Bf 109 G-6 received the code ‘V23’. This code was usually either applied by hand or by decal onto the control stick and it was unique to the Bf 109 G. Hence, a control stick that has a ‘V23’ designation came from a Bf 109 G. The top left button had the code ‘R25’.

Electrical wiring diagram of the Bf 109 G-6 KG13A.

The Bf 109 G-6 was equipped with an engine mounted MG 151 20mm cannon and two fuselage mounted MG 131 13mm machine guns. All weapons were automatically charged when the safety switch in the round counter and control box SZKK3 (Schuss-, Zähl- und Kontrol-Kasten 3) in the upper instrument panel was turned on. 

BUTTONS:

A factory delivered KG 13A had three buttons used for weapons and one radio button. The top trigger was called A-Knopf (Knopf = button), the top center button was called B-Knopf (or also B1-Knopf) and the top left button was called B2-Knopf. Depending on the equipment the aircraft carried, additional buttons could be attached to the KG 13A control stick or the wiring was adjusted. The buttons in the Bf 109 G-6 were used as follows:

A snapshot from the manual of the Bf 109 G-6 showing the top of the KG 13A

Bf 109 G-6 without Rüstsatz R6 (two wing-mounted MG 151 cannons):

A-Knopf: 2x MG 131 (fuselage mounted)

B1-Knopf: 1x MG 151 (engine mounted)
B2-Knopf: drop ordnance

Bf 109 G-6 with Rüstsatz R6 (two wing-mounted MG 151 cannons):

A-Knopf: 2x MG 131 (fuselage mounted) and 1x MG 151 (engine mounted)

B1-Knopf: 2x MG 151 (in wing pods)
B2-Knopf: drop ordnance

SOURCES:
L. Dv. T. 2109 G-5 und G-6/Wa "Bf 109 G-5 und G-6. Schusswaffenanlage. Bedienungsvorschrift/Wa. (Stand März 1943) Ausgabe April 1943."

The cockpit of a Swiss Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6