Bf 109 G-14/AS (Italy)

This page is about the fighter Bf 109 G-14/AS (Italy). For the German variant, see Bf 109 G-14. For other versions, see Bf 109 (Family).

▄Bf 109 G-14/AS

C. 205 serie 3

G.91 pre-serie

▄Bf 109 G-14/AS

C. 205 serie 3

G.91 pre-serie

Italy

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
5.7	5.3	5.0

Class:

Fighter

Research:54 000

Purchase:185 000

Show in game

Description

During the Second World War, with the advance of the Allies into Italy in 1943, Italy requested several vehicles from Germany including aircraft such as Bf 109 fighters to try to regain air superiority in their country and also to defend it from Allied bombing. First came the Bf 109 G-6, which was used in an attempt to destroy as many bombers as possible. On 8 September 1943, Italy was divided into two parts, the northern part of which became the Repubblica Sociale Italiana (RSI). The RSI would use other variants, including Bf 109 G-10 and G-14. Some versions of the Bf 109 G-14 were also modified with an improved cooling system and were designated as Bf 109 G-14/AS. The Bf 109s would be used until the complete liberation of Italy by the Allied forces, the Bf 109s would be transferred to Germany again in an attempt to defend the territory.

Introduced with the Italian aviation tree in Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica", the aircraft immediately proves to be a strong energy fighter. At low speeds it is not very capable of manoeuvring, so it is recommended to maintain speed with boom and zoom tactics to retain manoeuvrability and be able to disengage and loop back round for another pass if necessary. Thanks to the AS modification, the engine overheats less than its German counterpart in a higher altitudes, but otherwise it's identical and very similar to the Bf 109 G-6, with the three planes differing only slightly in the engine performance. The aircraft can mount both 30 mm and 20 mm cannons, perfect for shooting down any air target. For combined battles, you can use its suspended armament consisting of bombs perfect to destroy an enemy target.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed

at 7 000 m698 km/h

Turn time20 s

Max altitude11 500 m

EngineDaimler-Benz DB-605ASM

TypeInline

Cooling systemWater

Take-off weight4 t

The plane behaves as you would expect from a late Bf 109: great climb rate, powerful armament options (being able to mount two 20 mm or 30 mm gunpods to deal with air targets as well as a similar option for the engine mounted cannon), and BnZ; of course at the cost of poor turning speeds and a sub-par roll rate.

Compared to the regular G-14, it may look like a worse version but it compensates with improved high altitude performance and manoeuvrability in vertical fighting.

With a top speed of 698 km/h at 7,000 m, it may outperform some of its peers, making it a better bomber interceptor and high-altitude fighter than the standard Bf 109 G-14. However, its rip speed remains an issue, preventing it from diving at high speeds or steep angles. Clever positioning and well-planned approaches can compensate for these limitations.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 7,000 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	666	645	11500	21.2	22.1	16.4	16.4	325
Upgraded	737	698		19.4	20.0	29.6	21.8

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
790	360	437	408	260	~13	~6

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 450	< 390	< 450	> 715

Compressor	Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
Setting 1	7,800 m	1,140 hp	1,596 hp

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural790 km/h

Gear360 km/h

• 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front and rear of cockpit.
• 4-8 mm Steel plates on pilot seat.
• 10 mm Steel plates around pilot's head.
• 21 mm Steel plate on rear of fuel tank, with 4 mm plates surrounding it on other sides.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB2 376 → 3 212

RB5 518 → 7 460

SB7 723 → 10 441

Total cost of modifications47 400

86 300

Talisman cost1 500

Crew training52 000

Experts185 000

Aces940

Research Aces480 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

90 / 210 / 440 %

166 / 166 / 166 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 500 180 Radiator Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 500 180 Compressor Research: 2 600 Cost: 4 700 250 Wings repair Research: 2 400 Cost: 4 400 230 Engine Research: 2 400 Cost: 4 400 230 Engine injection Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 600 290	Airframe Research: 2 600 Cost: 4 700 250 Cover Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 600 290	mg131_belt_pack Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 500 180 SC 250 Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 500 180 Flamm C 250 Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 500 180 mg131_new_gun Research: 2 600 Cost: 4 700 250 MK 108 cannon Research: 2 600 Cost: 4 700 250 mg15120_belt_pack Research: 2 400 Cost: 4 400 230 mk108_belt_pack Research: 2 400 Cost: 4 400 230 R6 modification Research: 2 400 Cost: 4 400 230 mg15120_new_gun Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 600 290 mk108_new_gun Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 600 290 R5 modification Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 600 290

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 120 mm MG 151 cannon

Ammunition200 rounds

Fire rate700 shots/min

Weapon 22 x 13 mm MG 131 machine gun

Ammunition600 rounds

Fire rate900 shots/min

The Bf 109 G-14/AS (Italy) is armed with:

• A choice between two presets:
  • 1 x 20 mm MG 151 cannon, nose-mounted (200 rpg) + 2 x 13 mm MG 131 machine guns, nose-mounted (300 rpg = 600 total)
  • 1 x 30 mm MK 108 cannon, nose-mounted (65 rpg) + 2 x 13 mm MG 131 machine guns, nose-mounted (300 rpg = 600 total)

Suspended armament

List of setups (4)

Setup 11 x 250 kg SC250JA bomb

Setup 21 x Flam C 250 incendiary bomb

Setup 32 x 30 mm MK 108 cannon (secondary) (ammunition: 70 rounds)

Setup 42 x 20 mm MG 151 cannon (secondary) (ammunition: 270 rounds)

The Bf 109 G-14/AS (Italy) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 1 x 250 kg SC250JA bomb (250 kg total)
• 2 x 30 mm MK 108 cannons, gunpods (wing-mounted) (35 rpg = 70 total)
• 2 x 20 mm MG 151 cannons, gunpods (wing-mounted) (135 rpg = 270 total)
• 1 x Flam C 250 incendiary bomb

Usage in battles

Just like its predecessors, the G-14 should generally be utilised as an energy fighter/Boom and Zoomer. Its ability to manoeuvre in dogfights is marginal at best, so it is best to use its excellent energy retention and climb rate to take down enemy aircraft from above. It is also very good at stall fighting, as many fighters will not be able to keep up with its climb rate, giving it the opportunity to place overconfident pilots in vulnerable situations.

When it comes to selecting armament, it is largely dependent on the role the pilot intends to fulfil. Equipping bombs should generally only be considered as a last resort or when air cover is sufficient to facilitate tactical bombing. The very potent 30 mm cannon and gun pods should generally only be done if there is a significant threat from enemy bombers and heavy fighters. Keep in mind that while the 30 mm shells pack a high explosive filling, their muzzle velocity and ballistic coefficient results in a slow and fairly inaccurate shell. If chasing after enemy fighters, with a minimal profile exposed, it is not unusual to see 30 mm shells doing minimal damage to wings due to not detonating. Ideally, the 30 mm should only be fired against large frame aircraft from angles at which they expose the most of the planes frame to ensure a detonation within the airframe. Keep also in mind that the Mk 108 only carries 65 rounds of ammo for the center-mounted cannon, and 35 per gun pod, making trigger pulls very costly (especially considering its fire rate). As for belt selections for the Mk 108, it should generally be anything but the default belt due to the higher content of Minengeschoß shells, beyond that it is personal preference since the difference is only cosmetic.

Adding the twin 20 mm MG 151 gun pods, will substantially increase the G-14's fighting potential and longevity against other enemy fighters, due to carrying a total of 250 extra rounds. Additionally, the 20 mm cannon's ballistic trajectory is very similar to the 13 mm machine guns, allowing for firing both weapons simultaneously at an enemy target. However keep in mind that the gun pods will run out of ammunition faster than the centre-mounted one, so if it happens, it is usually a good indication of when it is time to head back to reload, as not much ammo will usually remain in the center mounted one afterwards. As for belts, it should generally be stealth or air targets, since every other belt option either sacrifices explosive content and contains more tracer rounds in exchange for better ground attack capabilities which are very poor even with the armoured targets belt.

Finally, keep in mind it is possible to carry both 13 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm weaponry, however due to the 30 mm cannons' poor ballistic properties, it should be mapped to fire on a different button. Also remember that while gun pods can be swapped while on the airfield in game, the centre-mounted cannon can't and can only be changed from the hangar.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Not controllable	Controllable Auto control available	Controllable Auto control available	Controllable Auto control available	Separate	Not controllable 1 gear	Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Decent climb rate and energy retention
• Good acceleration in a dive and in straight line
• Armament of up to 3 x 20/30 mm cannons with mounted gondolas at the price of flight performance
• Nose mounted armament is easy to use, without having to worry about convergence
• Slightly better (very-)high-altitude engine performance compared to the Bf 109 G-14

Cons:

• Very slight improvement of engine performance over the Bf 109 G-6 for the price of a higher BR
• Top speed is rather mediocre, comparing to something like Ki-84 ko
• Poor manoeuvrability (compresses at high speeds and relatively high wing-loading hampers low speed manoeuvrability)
• The stock single 20 mm gun is lacking against well-protected targets
• The rip speed of 790 km/h makes power dives difficult
• Relatively low ammo count
• Outside of a single 250 kg bomb, the G-14 does not have anything to attack well armoured ground targets
• In simulator, cockpit visibility (especially backwards) is poor; has severe drifting when taking off

History

In 1943, the Bf 109 G-6 entered service. While its performance was less then stellar, its worth derived from the ability to be easily modified into a dedicated fighter bomber, high altitude interceptor or reconnaissance plane. Likewise, great care was taken to make sure the G-6 could fit heavy armament to attack bombers, which were beginning to appear in force over Germany, and the shortcoming of the Fw 190s at high altitude became increasingly apparent.

In 1944, the RLM approved the Bf 109 G-14, wishing to standardize fighter production. The G-14 was essentially a standardized version of the Bf 109, with all improvements found on late production G-6s, including an enlarged vertical tail surface, a new canopy and Flettner tabs, for better control at higher speeds. To make construction easier, it had a non-retracting tail wheel, and the distinctive bulges on the upper cowling, which housed the breech locks of the machine guns.

In addition, the new G-14 was fitted with a DB605ASM engine, a heavily modified engine also used in the early G-6. It featured Watermethanol injection (MW50), and an enlarged supercharger taken directly off a DB506, meaning the engine had a better performance at high altitude, while conversely, it had less output at lower altitudes.

Serving alongside the 109 G-10 and K-4 in the later stages of the war, it proved to be a less then stellar performer, being outperformed by the newest types the Western Allies brought into service. However, it performed admirably in its role, and with a good pilot, was more then a match for the large majority of Allied aircraft.

Italian Service

Bf 109 G-14/AS during a patrol

By February 27, 1943, the Regia Aeronautica had requested 500 aircraft, this request had specified that the 500 vehicles should be composed of 60% fighters and 40% bomber interceptors.

In fact, on 5 May 1943, Germany delivered to Italy 300 Bf 109 G (from different variants), 200 Ju 87 and Ju 88, 50 Me 210, 12 Do 217 and 60 DFS 230 gliders.

A document dated 14 April 1943 and written by Field Marshal Albert Kesselring stated that "after the training of pilots for German vehicles has been completed, the trained Italian units should be attached to the German task forces and participate with them in actions until further notice", it also stated that the Italian units should be supported by German groups in charge of armament, maintenance and training.

The delivery of Bf 109s began on 19 April 1943, before the armistice the Regia Aeronautica received 15 Bf 109 F-4, 6 G-2, 10 G-4, 91 G-6, for a total of 122 aircraft.

Bf 109 G-14/AS at the airport

After the armistice and the creation of the Italian Social Republic (RSI), where the ANR (Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana) began receiving Messerschmitts in mid-1944, nine months after the armistice. The ANR received a total of 200 Bf 109s of the G-6, G-10, G-12, G-14 and G-14/AS versions.

The I Gruppo was formed in December 1943 and included 3 squadrons and became operational in January 1944, initially equipped with the C.205, then with some G.55. Finally, the I Gruppo deployed to Lonate Pozzolo and Malpensa where 51 Bf 109 of the G-10, G-14 and G-14/AS variants were assigned. On 27 April 1945 the aircraft of the I Gruppo were set on fire while those of the II Gruppo were handed back to the Germans on the field of Orio al Serio.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Bf 109 G-14/AS (Italy) from live.warthunder.com.

Images

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See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Focke-Wulf Fw 190
• Macchi C.205N2
• Fiat G.55S

External links

• Official data sheet - more details about the performance