Bf109G-14 Blaue 62

While updating the link to the larger version of the profile I finally adjusted the information that have become available since I posted the original.

 

This Mtt Regensburg built Bf109G-14 belonged to JG110 at Finow, spring 1945. The tall tailwheel were installed on all 109's serving with training units as it improved forward vision and made the aircraft easier to handle 0n the take-off run. Judging from the darker look of the color it seems likely althought not certain, that the aircraft wore a late war colorscheme. The spinner is not visible in the photo but is based on another picture from Finow showing other aircraft seemingly from the same unit. 

Bf109G-10 of Heinz Ewald

EDIT - The link was broken so I updated this profile to my latest standards. 

This WNF-built Bf109G-10 was flown by Heinz Ewald of II./JG52 in February 1945. Pictures, decals and a profile are provided by Kagero for this aircraft and Hasegawa has boxings of this aircraft as well. Both Kagero and Hasegawa depicts this aircraft in late-war colors and a camoflage that looks close to the pattern used on late Bf109K-4's.

The internet is full of pictures of models depicting this scheme that is unfortunately incorrect. I was sceptical of that scheme from the start and when I started learning about Wrk.Nr ranges and how camoflage patterns could be used to understand from which factory a Bf109 came from I just knew something was wrong. WNF never used the kind of pattern that Kagero and Hasegawa suggests.

Finally when I found pictures of this aircraft, nothing in them contradicted a standard WNF camo as depicted in my profile. Sure, the fuselageside might have had some extra mottling but nothing like the solid, low demarcation scheme shown in the instructions from Hasegawa and Kagero.

A big shame since it's quite an attractive idea, I believe that my version is far closer to the truth - which still might be a bit off!

The numerals provided by Hasegawa and Kagero are too large, they should be in the same size as all other II./JG52 aircraft wore in the spring of 1945 and seen for example on the aircraft found at Neubiberg at the wars end.

One final thing to notice is that the landinggear doors had been removed to prevent snow and mud from getting caught up between the doors and the leg.

Bf109G-6 from 5./JG302

 

This aircraft served with 5./JG302 and was used in the Wilde Sau nightfighter roll, evident from the fact that the starboard wing under surface was black. Another interesting feature is the missing head armour which wasn't uncommon on Wilde Sau aircraft.

Bf109G-6 of Heinz Hunig, 5./JG2

 

Schwarze 12, W.Nr 27 083, of Heinz Hunig, 5./JG2 at Juvincourt, autumn 1943. Hunig was lost in this aicraft on October 20:th 1943. It's a striking aircraft with the yellow trim on the numerals and an interesting wingroot decoration. I created the profile for a decal sheet that never happened so now I'm posting it on my blog with the goal of posting more than once every other year! 

The pattern of the wing camouflage is interesting as it doesn't match the regular saw toothed pattern of Erla built aircraft. The 27.xxx W.Nr batch seems to be an anomaly in that regard. 

Wilhelm Schilling's Gelbe 3 - subtly evolving over time.

Wilhelm Schillings Gelbe 3 has been a popular subject for profiles and models as a colour photo has been around for ages. The photo doesn't show the whole aircraft though so profiles have been speculative. Black and white photos have appeared and show that there's more to this scheme than previously thought. 

It cleary has at least three colours on the fuselage. A light colour has been used for meandering lines on some of the darkest segments of camo. It can be seen on the starboard wing as well. On other aircraft in similar schemes the lightest colour is also used for a segment or two in the camouflage pattern. Other JG54 aircraft shows various browns and possibly RLM 02 so the actual colour is impossible to know. Also, despite the new photos, the camo from fuselage fram 7 and backwards is still speculation based on other contemporary JG 54 aircraft.

Profile 1: The first photos of this aircraft shows it when Schilling celebrated returning from his 500th combat mission. Almost the entire engine cowling is painted in the medium colour that we know from the colorphoto to be quite a bright green colour.

Profile 2: Two pictures taken during what appears to be some light repairs shows that new segments of colour has been added on the enginecowling. (The aicraft was damaged twice in September according to the loss lists)

Profile 3: The broad yellow fuselage band has been added and the rear part of the canopy has been replaced by one in original grey that appears to be RLM 75.
 

Bf109G-10 from JG301

 

Finally I've found my self between projects and with some spare time to do a profile for my own enjoyment! The subject is based on recently discovered photos of this Erla built Bf109G-10 serving with 14./JG301 at Gahro. The camouflage appears to be the standard RLM 74/75 but with an additional darker colour on the spine above the balkenkruez and the rear of the aircraft. 

The blog is not dead! It's only resting...

Bf109E-4 of Herbert Kijewski

Bf109E-4 flown by the staffelkapitän of 5./JG3, Herbert Kijewski, as it looked on September 2, 1940. As was common on 5./JG3 aircraft, this one too had a nickname on the engine cowling. "Erika", the name of Kijewskis wife.