Description
You are bidding on an AMAZING and VERY RARE example of a KG13A Control Grip, as used ONLY in the Me109G Fighter aircraft! This SPECIFIC Control Stick was brought back from Viterbo Airport (Italy) by Col Ejner J. Fulsang on June 11, 1944. At that time he was an Army Aviator, and acted as an artillery spotter in Italy.
The KG13 was mounted directly between the pilots legs, and gave him control of the aircraft, weapons (MG, Cannon, Bombs), and Radio). Most aircraft control grips after WW2 were based on this German design. This came directly from the veteran’s estate.
Made of steel, aluminum, and bakelite, this grip would have been manufactured between 1943 and 1944. From my personal collection, it is in SUPERB used condition, and EASILY one of the best examples I have seen of this type! All buttons are complete and functional, and some of the original wiring is intact! All hand-painted electrical codes are intact (though some have faded), and Fulsang inscribed on the terminal box cover:
ME 109
VITERBO
AIRPORT
11 JUNE 1944
This specific grip was pulled from an Me109 G by Fulsang on that date, and based on the aircraft that were at Viterbo, it can only be narrowed down to a small handful of aircraft belonging to either JG53 or 3./NAG 11…with those being:
Me109 G-8, W.Nr. 710062, Yellow 11
Me 109 G-6, W.Nr. 161744
Me109 G-6, W.Nr. 162202
Me 109G-8 trop. (JaBo Rei), W.Nr. 710100, Yellow 15
5Me 109 G-6, W.Nr. 160747
Me109 G-6, W.Nr. 162060 White 8
Me109 G-6, W.Nr. 162158, “1 + 3 (yellow)”, RW+DC
Me109 G-6, W.Nr. 161118, Ace of Spades on cowling
Please see the last photo in this auction (report dated June 25, 1944) for further details.
The data plate is the later 5-line version, and clearly indicates:
KG13 A
102-288A
14753
Fl. 47915
The hand-painted electrical ID’s indicate:
V23
P128
A-Kn
FT-Kn.
B1-Kn.
B2-Kn.
There are some marks from normal wear and age, but no damage, breaks or bends! EASILY one of the NICEST ones I have ever seen with DOCUMENTED history! Would make a SUPERB addition to any collection, display, or restoration project!
