....The Messerschmitt Bf 109G series of fighters had a number of variants: fighters, bomber interceptors with a variety of armament options, two-seat trainers, fighter-bombers, and - the subject of this article - reconnaissance-fighters. Like other Bf 109s, the reconnaissance version also had variants within variants. Some of the research material tends to be a bit confusing.
...The Germans apparently assigned the Rüsatz (R) numbers two through five for aircraft with a number of different types of cameras and mounting combinations. These 'R' numbers could be applied to nearly all models of the BF 109G series. Some of these 'R' numbers were also used to denote other optional equipment, such as drop tanks, guns, bomb racks, etc.
....The most common camera carried by reconnaisance aircraft was the Rb 50/30 - a large camera mounted behind the pilot and pointing straight down. Access to the camera was via the small baggage hatch behind the pilot, or by removal of the camera fairing on the belly of the aircraft. This camera had been mounted on Bf 109E and F series as well.
.Another camera used by the Bf 109 was the Rb12.5/7x9 or the Rb32/7x9 carried in the aft fuselage and pointing down and slightly out to the side. These cameras were normally mounted in pairs behind the fuselage access hatch on the port side of the aircraft. Some references indicate these two cameras could be carried in concert with the Rb50/30 camera, while other references leave you with the distinct feeling of an 'either/or' situation. Some Bf 109Gs also carried a small camera, known as a Robot 2, in the port wing leading edge.
....Camera controls were mounted in the cockpit. There is a single, small panel centered beneath the main instrument panel, while two additional switch boxes were mounted on the right side wall.
....Bf 109 reconnaissance fighters routinely carried a single centerline 300 liter drop tank. The R-4 variant in particular is discussed as carrying two such tanks - one under each wing. A drawing of this.....
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