The first known photograph of this aircraft was taken some time in the summer of 1940. Visible on the photo is the small Ace of Spades emblem as well as a Gruppenkommandeurs markings and two victory bars on the tail. That victory tally does not match any of the III gruppe commanders in 1940. The best match would be that of acting Gruppenkommandeur Rolf-Peter Pingel who although having several earlier victories to his credit, scored two victories during his time with III./JG53 in June 1940.
The second known photo shows the same aircraft with some additional mottle and or dirt as well as the red ring around the engine cowling. This photo is often claimed to show the aircraf of Harro Harder which is very possible given the red ring marking that was applied in August. As Harder obviously didn't fly this aircraft the day he was shot down, it's possible, but far from certain, that it was also flown by his replacement, Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke.
A third photo shows this aircraft again in November, now having had the small triangle painted out to create the markings of a Gruppe Adjutant, who at the time was Erich Schmidt. More interesting is the yellow I.D. colors, the reapplied and enlarged Ace of Spades emblem and not least, the painted out swastika, a feature of III./JG53 aircraft at the time.
All in all, as if the paintshcemes and markings aren't interesting enough, it seems as if this aircraft was flown by at least three, if not four, of the Luftwaffe aces of the Battle of Britain!
6 comments:
Excellent work as always Anders! What would the top of the wings looked like? This would make an excellent model.
Outstanding artworks! I am so delighted to see the JG53 Bf109E profiles. I have always felt that the Bf109E camouflage colors, from 70/71 to 70/02 then to possibly 74/75 and all field applied colors by various units in between, are tough to figure, far more than the late war schemes IMO, and JG 53 among the most outlandish. Indeed the paintshcemes and markings ARE interesting. I am very curious to see your take on the top view, too!
Could you share the reference photos of this aircraft?
Thanks for all the comments! I won't be putting photos up on the blog but anyone looking for further information can drop me an email.
A Google search for "Erich Schmidt JG53" will find the best photo available of this aircraft though.
I agree that some interesting camo variations were used during this period. A colorphoto of another III./JG53 aircraft from the same period shows similar colors to the ones I used here.
Thanks for all the comments! I won't be putting photos up on the blog but anyone looking for further information can drop me an email.
A Google search for "Erich Schmidt JG53" will find the best photo available of this aircraft though.
I agree that some interesting camo variations were used during this period. A colorphoto of another III./JG53 aircraft from the same period shows similar colors to the ones I used here.
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