Bf.109V-23 (Bf.109F-0), W.Nr.5603 CE+BP, Bayerische Flugzeugwerke Messerschmitt, 1940

Development of the new Bf 109F airframe had begun in 1939 an improved engine, the Daimler-Benz DB 601E, was developed for use with the Bf 109 becoming available in February 1940. The engineers at the Messerschmitt modified two Bf 109 E-1 airframes by installing the new powerplant and making aerodynamic refinements to the cowling. The first two prototypes, V21 (W.Nr 5602) and V22 (W.Nr 1800) kept the trapeziform wing shape from the E-1, but the span was reduced by 61 cm (2 ft) by "clipping" the tips. It was found that the smaller wings had a negative effect effect on the handling so V23, (W.Nr 5603) was fitted with new, semi-elliptical wingtips, which would become the standard wing shape for all future versions Bf.109. The fourth prototype, V24 (W.Nr 5604) flew with the clipped wings but also featured an "elbow"-shaped supercharger air-intake and a deeper oil cooler bath beneath the cowling, which were adopted for production.

Prototype V-23 was converted to Bf.109F-0 standards, but was retained by the factory and reverted back to V-23, with the removal of combat equipment. It was utilized by Messerschmitt as a test bed for other improvements and changes, culminating in it's use as a test bed for the tri-cycle landing gear for the Me.309 project.

You can download it from Hawkeye's Hangar