Anyone know the fate of Yellow 7 BF-109 E-3

[tatradog13]

Where is Yellow 7, Bf-109 E-3 today? Did it survive?

On Sept. 5, 1940, Uffz. Heinz Grabow was shot down in Kent England during the Battle of Britain. He was flying Yellow 7, a BF109 E-3. Grabow was with 3/JG3. He belly landed the aircraft and it was captured relatively intact. The plane was sent to Australia and used in propaganda displays to aid in recuitment for the RAAF.

Is this plane still around? Is it in a collection or museum?

[beaupower32]

The Bf-109E-3 'Yellow 7' of Uffz. Heinz Grabow of 3./JG3. On 5 September, the pilot of this aircraft took off from an airfield near Boulogne and, while acting as escort for ten Do 17s, had just made an orbit above the bombers when he was attacked by a British fighter. The engine was hit and Grabow, who had only been with his Geschwader for three weeks, made a forced landing. Having been captured in reasonable condition, his aircraft was sent to Australia where it was displayed to aid recruiting for the Royal Australian Air Force. Although this aircraft had temporary white paint applied to the wing tips and rudder when it was shot down, as these photographs show, this had either worn off by the time the machine was exhibited in Australia or, as with many other aircraft used for display purposes, a replacement rudder from another aircraft has been fitted

[Wurger]

Nice stuff here.

[beaupower32]

I am still trying to figure out what has happened to the plane. Havent found nothing yet, but as soon as I do I will post.

[pbfoot]

I don't believe it would have strayed far from Australia during the war maybe New Zealand but I would assume it would be low on shipping priority

[Airframes]

I read, a couple of years ago, that it is thought that this aircraft is in storage somewhere in Australia. However, the writer was unsure, and there seems to be some confusion over this '109 and one sent to/ exchanged with South Africa.
if I find anything further, I'll post it.
Terry.

[Thorlifter]

Good post Beau. That's the way to jump in and contribute!!! Thanks.

[beaupower32]

Trying to help the best i can. Sorry for the large size of the pictures. In future post I will downsize them a little bit.

[tatradog13]

Thanks everyone for trying to find this aircraft. I hope it still exists and that it is or will be restored. I would like to contact the owner.

My interest in this aircraft stems from my purchase of a named Luftwaffe Pilot Badge a few years ago. As it turned out, the name on the back of the badge was Heinz Grabow. The badge included the presentation case.

[VERSUCH]

This aircraft was almost certainly melted down at Laverton Airfield
in Victoria,at the end of the war.The exact date is unknown but it
was part of the massive post war "clean up",it is pictured amoung other
allied aircraft as fuselage only and in poor shape.
The aircraft was left on the Melbourne docks for some weeks,and not
suprisingly, was vandalized,part of one prop blade sawed off and the
rudder and fuselage damaged, a newspaper of the day shows the
rudder being rebuilt(it is the wrong shape if you look closely!) and
the aircraft camouflage was touched up(incorrectly) painting over
the white wingtips and rudder.
It was an ERLA 1938 built BF109E-3 WN.750 .ENGINE DB601 A/1 NO 30674
made by HENSCHEL .
Possibly shot down by FltLt John Webster of 41 SQN (SPITFIRE)
on Thursday 5 Sep 1940 (late morning?) crash landing at Wychling
in Kent.
The largest remaing piece known is the port main wheel in my collection.

[Airframes]

Good stuff Versuch. Darn shame about that, but then, at the time, I guess everyone had had enough of war, and wouldn't be thinking of preservation for the future. Thanks for the update.

[beaupower32]

Originally Posted by VERSUCH

This aircraft was almost certainly melted down at Laverton Airfield
in Victoria,at the end of the war.The exact date is unknown but it
was part of the massive post war "clean up",it is pictured amoung other
allied aircraft as fuselage only and in poor shape.
The aircraft was left on the Melbourne docks for some weeks,and not
suprisingly, was vandalized,part of one prop blade sawed off and the
rudder and fuselage damaged, a newspaper of the day shows the
rudder being rebuilt(it is the wrong shape if you look closely!) and
the aircraft camouflage was touched up(incorrectly) painting over
the white wingtips and rudder.
It was an ERLA 1938 built BF109E-3 WN.750 .ENGINE DB601 A/1 NO 30674
made by HENSCHEL .
Possibly shot down by FltLt John Webster of 41 SQN (SPITFIRE)
on Thursday 5 Sep 1940 (late morning?) crash landing at Wychling
in Kent.
The largest remaing piece known is the port main wheel in my collection.

Its a shame they melted it down. Do you think you can post a picture of the wheel well. That would be neat to see what it looks like today.

[109ROAMING]

Dam shame

[VERSUCH]

Here are the photos of the port mainwheel of yellow 7
Rgds Mike

PS anycvhance of seeing a picture of the pilots badge?