Description
The Bf-109E-4 was introduced in time to see service during the Battle of Britain. It took care of some of the shortcomings of the earlier version, such as the addition of a flat paneled windscreen and canopy, and additional pilot armor plating. What was not changed was the short range of the type. During the Battle, the 109s were left with insufficient fuel to properly do battle with the Hurricanes and Spitfires of the RAF. Often times the cover of Bf-109s would have to return to base in France and leave the bombers at the mercy of the defending fighters.
It was with the E-7 that this discrepancy was somewhat alleviated. This was done by attaching an auxiliary fuel tank of 300 liters to the bomb rack that was part of the E-4 upgrade. This modification was also added to many of the remaining E-4 subtypes. However it was too late to really do any good in the Battle of Britain as bomber losses had been so high as to have had the attack called off as Hitler planned his assault against the Soviet Union. Part of the E-4 update was also a version designed to operate in the hot, dry, desert locale of Northern Africa. This 'trop' or tropical modification was most easily seen from the outside by the addition of a sand filter covering the supercharger intake. Other improvements included a survival kit in the tail section in case the aircraft was forced to land in the desert.
