(38) Fw 190s over Europe, part II.

Page 3 of 3

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8/R6; probable W.Nr. 171172, “Black 8” of 3./JGr 10, Redlin near Parchim, Germany, January 1945. The plane carried almost standard RLM 74/75/76 scheme. Only the tail area was quite unusually painted, indicating a repair or replacement of the rudder, or perhaps even the whole tail unit being replaced. The latter assumption is supported by the appearance of swastikas, which are sligthly narrower than was normal. Such swastikas were distinctive rather for Aslau-built Fw 190 A-8s from the 350xxx block, as well as some Arado-built Fw 190 A-8s from the 380xxx block than for machines which were built in the Focke-Wulf factory in Cottbus. The spinner was black with a white spiral. The engine under-cowling was most likely yellow. The markings of 3./JGr 10 comprised large black numbers with thin red outlines before the fuselage crosses and small black “I1” codes aft the crosses. Like a few other aircraft of the unit, this one was also adorned with large yellow and red snakes. Note also the small yellow marking of the Erhöhte Notleistung boost system on the port gun cowl, and a strange bright trace on the port fuselage behind the exhausts, whose shape resembles the number “3”. This “Black 8” is probably the Fw 190 A-8, W.Nr.171172 which was crashed by Uffz. Walter Gerlach near Leisnig on the 14th February 1945.

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8/R2; “Red 10”, flown by Ofw. Karl Rusack of 5./JG 300, Löbnitz, Germany, January 1945. This is an interesting ground concealment scheme using one of the greens, probably RLM 71, over the factory scheme consisting of RLM 74 and 75 on the uppersurfaces, and RLM 76 on the undersurfaces. Even the main landing gear covers have been oversprayed with green. “Red 10” had most features of a Sturmbock including lateral fuselage steel plates, armored glass quarter and frontal panels of the windscreen, and MK 108 cannons in the wings. Upper MG 131s were deleted, and their gun troughs faired over. The aircraft was also fitted with a propeller with external weights. Its spinner was black with a white spiral. Ofw. Karl Rusack survived the war.

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8; W.Nr. 737435, “White 20” of 9./JG 5, Herdla, Norway, 8th March 1945. This machine received a temporary white finish over the factory scheme of RLM 75/76/83* or 74/75/76. Even the national markings on the fuselage and fin (and probably also the serial numbers on the top of the fin) were partially obscured. White front engine cowl ring and spiral on the black spinner were the markings of 9. Staffel. The individual number of the plane was most likely repeated in black on the main landing gear covers, as in case of other aircraft of this Staffel. The discs aft the fuselage crosses were the marking of the Gruppe. The port side of the plane is not visible on the photos, but it is unlikely that the emblem of III. Gruppe was applied at this time. However, it is included in the decal sheet as a bonus marking, and the decision belongs to the modeller. Due to an engine failure, “White 20” was crash landed on a beach south west of the Herdla airfield on the 8th March 1945.

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-9/R11; W.Nr. 206000, “White 2” of III./KG(J) 27, Wels, Austria, spring 1945. “White 2” was built in November 1944 and most likely received similar camouflage as Fw 190 D-9s assembled by the same factory in that period, consisting of RLM 82 and 83* greens over RLM 76 light blue. Unusually, III./KG(J) 27 used tactical markings shadowed with dark areas applied around them, instead of painting normal outlines. A green and white checker identification band of the Geschwader was painted around the rear fuselage. The layout of the checker on the starboard side is unconfirmed because no photos showing the starboard side of the unit’s aircraft with such bands, have surfaced so far. The plane was fitted with a broad-bladed wooden propeller. Its spinner was either RLM 70 or black. The aircraft was damaged in a taxiing accident at Wels on the 20th February 1945.

 

 

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(38) Fw 190s over Europe, part II.
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