WIX Archives
What you see is the original 70/71/65 camoflauge...
Posted by Lynn on Thu Sep 05, 2002 09:10:50 AM
In reply top ME109E Pics in Aeroplane monthly... posted by Tony on Thu Sep 05, 2002 02:39:57 AM
from when the aircraft was originally built in 1939. If you look on the fin, the remnants of the field-applied 65 can be seen there, and other pics show it further down the fuselage as well... it's just worn off after 61 years of exposure to the elements. Interestingly, you can see that the fuselage was overall 71 and the 70 was applied over this.
Also, contrary to suggestions below, the stencil on the aft fuselage has nothing to do with a Fliegerschule or Diepholz... more to follow...
And I've yet to see any evidence DISPROVING the supposition that this aircraft is 4034- it is a theory at this point, but there's nothing to suggest otherwise in these or other photos. One interesting tidbit is that the capped spinner still shows traces of red paint; exactly as noted on the Crashed Enemy Aircraft Report made on 4034.
Lastly, do not forget that aircraft transitioned in and out of Luftwaffe fighter units with some regularity due to transfers, damage and reissue, etc...
they would not always wear the same number (hence the "5" beneath the 6, and the shape of an "8" beneath that)
I've got a number of different things going on this project, and will keep folks appraised of findings as they become available.
Lynn
Webmaster, The 109 Lair
www.109lair.com
PS: Not a speck of desert camo to be seen anywhere- is anyone else not surprised by this?