Guideline Publications "Combat Colours" - An illustrated guide to the colour schemes and markings of the Focke Wulf Fw190 in WWII

Guideline Publications "Combat Colours" series returns with No. 7, An illustrated guide to the colour schemes and markings of the Focke Wulf Fw190 in WWII, "compiled" by Neil Robinson and illustrated by Peter Scott. Based on articles that have appeared in 'Scale Aircraft Modelling' magazine - most notably my articles - ie the 'Aircraft in Detail' features devoted to the A-series fighter variants (Vol 24 no. 9 November 2002) and the Sturmgruppen (Vol 23 no. 1 March 2001)  - Combat Colours no. 7 is a nice 82-page A-4 format softback of Fw 190 profile artwork. This title was planned about eight years ago but shelved back then - in fact looking through I recognise much of the text; entire paragraphs have been lifted from my articles. A credit would have been nice. Still Robinson has done some work on the captions it would appear and artist Scott has exploited the latest Luftwaffe colours/image research and photo discoveries. The work has around 25 pages of sub-type variant description and operational history and features an interesting if largely unexceptional selection of photos courtesy of Barry Ketley. 'Interesting' is the best comment I can come up with for the artwork to be honest. While of decent quality and generally 'accurate' in his interpretations ('Yellow 17' usually associated with Willi Unger of IV(Sturm)./JG 3 being a rather unfortunate exception)  the profile artist favours a 'flat' style with no weathering, shadowing or highlighting that is a little too neutral for my tastes if truth be told. The images themselves are also a tad on the small size. Overall I guess around one hundred machines are illustrated, most A-variant types, although there are a few pages of F & G Jabo and Schlacht machines. No Doras though. If you have Scott's 'Battle of Britain Emils' title in the same series you will know exactly what to expect. Do modellers prefer this style or would they prefer to be inspired by Sundin's or Dekker's large scale  'life-like' images?  I guess you get what you pay for  - and that pretty much applies here. Slightly more expensive than an Osprey, artwork of similar quality to John Weal's, ie not up the standard of a Hector or Laurier, but, depending on your point of view, very good value for the amount of info presented.

While similar in concept and execution to the 'Histoire and Collections' illustrated Fw 190 profile book, this new Guidelines title is far better than that absymal effort from the French publisher (distributed by Casemate).  For a book of profile artwork, the aircraft has to look 'right' and that is certainly the case here. Like that H&C Fw 190 title this book features pages illustrating stencil placement but includes additionally a nice selection of good quality emblem illustrations and around ten machines have been selected for a four-view treatment. The 'meat' of this Guidelines title though is the detailed profile captions which must amount to many thousands of words. In fact it occurs to me that this book could usefully be read alongside Rodeike's 'Jagdflugzeug 190' bible if you have this German title and do not read German. Recommended with the odd reservation.

http://guidelinepublications.co.uk/

And some more considered comments on this work from Luftwaffe colours Experte David E. Brown;

" ..I offer a few comments on this publication, a copy of which I received a few days ago. Neil has made a number of observations on it that I concur with and I will not repeat, though I will share a few thoughts. In my opinion, there are a few discrepancies and omissions of note.

First, as a book that heavily emphasizes colours, there is no colour key to relate to all the colour profiles! Certainly this is needed as there are no colour call-outs adjacent to any of the profiles / plan views. For example, there is no observable difference between RLM 65 and RLM 76, yet both colours are discussed. Furthermore, the dark blue grey is presumably RLM 75, yet it is darker than RLM 74 which to the knowledgeable is the reverse. Other colours are given a similar treatment: RLM 02 appears as RLM 83, RLM 83 appears too light and looks more like RLM 82, etc. The RLM 24 blue looks violet in my copy of the book. Regardless of any limitations in offset printing, the colour key would facilitate the reader’s understanding and identification of the colours and convey the intent of the author. There is enough confusion with regards to identifying Luftwaffe colours, not to mention the repetition of ancient errors and misinterpretations. This publication does nothing to help the situation when it really could have been a positive contribution.


Second, with regards to the colours on early A-1s and A-2s, the authors cannot seem to make up their minds on whether they were 02/71 or 74/75. The following might help.


There is a fascinating example of a transition aircraft on page 4. This aircraft, Fw 190 A-2, “sw.8+-“ of 5./JG 2 was taken in the summer of 1942. A slightly better quality image of the bottom photo appears on page 116 of Smith and Creek’s latest book on the Fw 190 A (Classic, 2011), and this is the one I will refer to.

At first blush one would think the scheme was 74/75, but a closer inspection reveals that the aircraft received an overspray of RLM 76. The fin Hakenkreuz was obviously masked over and the underlying fuselage and underside colour RLM 65 is clearly as a darker shade. The painter appears to have started at the tail and with his painting left ‘negative mottles of the original RLM 02 and RLM 71 mottles. In some cases, the mottles are merely patches of RLM 65 left unsprayed. As he moved forward, the overspray became less dense and by the time he reached the engine power-egg the 76 appears as light-coloured thin wisps and swirls. One can actually see where he followed the top of the exhaust staining and did not bother to clean the fuselage. However, the underside appears to have been given a very solid application of RLM 76, and one of the maintenance instructions on the port wheel door was masked off such that the darker 65 is preserved (seen in the middle photo on page 4). A very quick job but one that preserves important camouflage information. (One would like to see more photos of this kite!)

My belief is that this aircraft was given the new colour at it operational base but left its original 71/02 uppersurface scheme that is visible in the Smith and Creek photograph. Indeed, A-2s were being manufactured between August 1941 and August 1942 and later concurrently with A-3s, so probably more than half of all A-2 have been in the original scheme with the remainder transitioning to the new grey colours RLM 74, 75 and 76 from March-April 1942. (Colours RLM 77, 78, 79 and 80 started to appear perhaps a month later.) The main take-away is that this aircraft might be a very important clue regarding the RLM’s L.Dv.521/1 instructions of November 1941 that have so far defied explanation about finishing fighter and Zerstörer aircraft in “Farbton 74, 75, 76, 65” that Ken Merrick and others have puzzled over for years. I’ll have more to say about that in another discussion.

Thirdly, it is certain that the late A-2s and A-3s were finished with the new grey scheme of 74/75/76, but even here there were variations. An interesting example appears on page 8 (bottom) of the book. This is an outstanding overhead view of Fw 190 A-4 “sw.12+I” of 8./JG 2. Certainly the wing scheme cannot be 74/75. Here is another example of the use of RLM 77 Hellgrau that when one looks closely is seen to appear on an increasing number of Bf 109s and Fw 109s. The grey tone of the lighter and darker colours is far too light to have been 74/75, though in this case was 77/75.

Finally, the photographs in the book lack any indication as to their source / attribution, and, there is no list of references. In many of the captions there are suggestions that the authors consulted some books but the reader is left to wonder which ones. This information could have been conveyed in the captions to allow the reader to consult the available references to study the photographs themselves and compare with / validate the authors’ interpretations..

despite these lapses, the amount of information presented in this package makes it a bargain given the purchase price ..."

Order your copy from  http://www.guidelinepublications.co.uk/

Thinning my Luftwaffe library

Up-dated with more items available on "buy-it-now", UK sales only please due postage costs. There are some heavy books here..!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/sturmgruppe/m.html?item=230725088455&viewitem=&_trksid=p4340.l2562

rare Hans Ulrich Rudel Fw 190 photo sequence - Schlachtflieger Ju 87 G BK 37

While searching for 'Schlachtflieger' on ebay.de, I came across the following two images, claimed to be originals, depicting Hans Ulrich Rudel at the controls of a Fw 190. The first shot below was new to me, the second has been seen widely on the net although this one seems to be a decent reprint. For anyone not aware of other images in this 'sequence' it is not immediately obvious that the pilot seen taxiing out in 'chevron bar' with its yellow Rumpfband is in fact Rudel himself.

A look at a couple of the other images from the same series allows a positive ID. The 'sequence' is from the ECPA-D archive in Paris and was apparently photographed in Rumania during the summer of 1944. Rudel as Kommodore of SG 2 is shown getting ready for a sortie.

I have a couple of prints from the sequence including another view of Rudel strapping into his chute (above). AFAIK only one other image from the same sequence has been published, most notably in Chris Ehrengardt's 'pilotes de Stuka' article ( which appeared in CJE's own Aerojournal, issue 4) . Note the mechanic on the wing (left, below) is the same figure lying on the wing in the first photo above.

Rudel's preferred mount was of course the Ju 87 Kanonenvogel fitted with the BK 37. Nice image from a war-time Hungarian publication.

Quoted in Tony Williams, 'Flying Guns – World War 2';

"..The BK 3.7 was not a particularly impressive gun. It was a modified version of the FlaK 18 AA gun, was big, heavy and slow-firing (in comparison with the NS-37) and the ammunition clip could only contain a maximum of twelve rounds (six and eight-round clips also being used). However, it was quite powerful and the tungsten-cored Hartkern munition could be extremely effective, penetrating 140 mm / 100 m / 90°, although this reduced sharply to 70 mm at 60°..."

Indeed the Kanonenvogel bore witness to the appalling penury and deficiencies of Luftwaffe resources on the Eastern Front. Here was a machine conceived for taking out tanks individually - one by one if you will.  The central weapon of war on the Eastern Front was the tank - the Soviets had lost the armoured battles of 1941 with 11-ton T-26 and 14-ton BT light tanks. These were replaced en masse with  a new generation of heavy tanks during 1942 and 1943. Both the T-34 and 45-ton KV heavy tanks toted 76mm guns - even two years later 76mm was the biggest American and British tank gun. Soviet factories started churning out thousands of them monthly - well out of the range of any Luftwaffe bombers - 15,700 T-34s in 1943 alone (quoted in Evan Mawdsley, 'Thunder in the East'). By the time the Germans could field a tank to match the T-34 the Soviets had a huge numerical , if not qualitative, advantage.  The up-gunned T-34-85 featured an 85mm gun and over 18,000 of these were produced during 1945. At the time of course Rudel's efforts and those of his comrades were feted in the Nazi propaganda media. Today they are still 'celebrated' in just about every account you might care to read devoted to combat flying on the Eastern Front. In reality Rudel's 'achievements' were but a drop in the ocean, a mere pinprick in the overall scheme of battle on the Eastern Front..

Gunter Gillot Picasa Web album - NARA photo collection

NARA photo collection featuring Ardennes scenes, Pearl Harbor and several Luftwaffe subjects as posted by Gunter Gillot on his Picasa web albums. Thanks to M-A Haldiman on TOCH for the pointer.

https://picasaweb.google.com/100034951622767959071/November20201103?noredirect=1#

Fw 190 D-9 W.Nr. 210 239 "Schwarze 3", Ufz. Fritz Hanusch, 6./JG 26, shot down on 7 March 1945 by the 366th FG and crash landed at Börsiker, Wesel.

Luftwaffe modelling - new Fly Henschel Hs 123 'Eastern Front' 1/72nd scale - Henschel Hs 123 photo selection

From the feedback ratings of my preferred Ebay seller the Fly Hs 123 is 'flying' off the shelves. Given the antique nature of the Airfix kit the new Fly offering looks superb with its finely moulded resin, plastic and etch parts - at least in the box. The 'Eastern Front' boxing includes four options on the decal sheet (the Legion Condor and 'China' options feature in a separate boxing). A selection of resin parts including the one-piece cowl are bagged separately, along with two sets of fuselage halves, with and without head rest fairing. From the parts break down - undercarriage legs moulded separately - an 'unspatted' or partially 'spatted' build will also be possible..

Reference images from Der Adler (issue 2-1942), Ebay, Luftfaht International (3 issues from 1974) and Jan van der Heuvel collection (see link below)

L2+AM during the Polish campaign, regular mount of Adolf Galland.

Above; three nice clear shots of a Henschel Hs 123 undergoing weapons harmonisation on the Fliegerhorst at Fürstenfeldbruck, photos from the album of a Waffenmeister (armourer) serving with Geschwader Immelmann. Note the Vorkriegstarnung, pre-war camouflage scheme.

Above; photo from Jan van der Heuvel's personal collection.


4.(Sch)/LG 2 Mickey Mouse emblem possibly L2+BM or L2+PM

new Lela Presse web site, Avions magazine no. 185, Fw 190/NC 900 book Couderchon

Lela Presse based in Outreau, Boulogne-sur-Mer have launched their new web site ahead of a major revamp and overhaul of 'Avions' magazine due in February 2012. Issue 185, the first issue of 2012, will be the last of  the current-look 'Avions' with the next and subsequent issues featuring a new page layout and design and an additional 24 pages per issue. There is invariably something of interest in each issue; No. 185 devotes 13 pages to the history of the Luftwaffe pilot training school FFS (Flugzeugführerschule) A/B 123 established for Croatian pilots in Zagreb following its transfer from Elbing during September 1941 and a further ten pages continuing the history of Polish fighter group III/3 vs. the Luftwaffe during September 1939.

Mechanics working on the BMW VI of this Dornier Do 17 E of 5./KG 77 (with kind permission of Avions editor Michel Ledet)

5. Staffel KG 77 crews go out to their Do 17s prior to a sortie

Visit the new-look Lela Presse web site now (via the magazine cover image link above) and get a free download of the new Lela Presse catalogue for 2012. The catalogue features a number of books of interest to Luftwaffe enthusiasts including the recent J-L Roba title devoted to the Me 323 which I looked at in June  - one of my books of the year 2011  - and a number of new publications for 2012 including Philippe Couderchon's history of the French-built Fw 190s (price and release date not yet known). Exclusive cover image preview below. Designated NC 900, French Fw 190s were 'constructed' from huge stocks of spares in the underground factory at Cravant. The type was flown by the Normandie Niemen although proved extremely unpopular with the pilots who disliked having to fly a type that they had spent the war flying against. Around thirty NC 900s were flown at the CEV (Centre d'essais en vol) flight test centre. (below NC 900, image via Jean-Yves Lorant)

Fw 190s Schlachtgeschwader 1 Ltn. Stollnberger Deblin-Irina

Originale Albumseite mit 4 Privatfotos featuring several Fw 190s belonging to Schlachtgeschwader 1, photos taken in Deblin-Irina. Note the very nice views of the Gruppenabzeichen in the form of Micky Maus. A photo page on this unit appears in Erik Mombeeck's Luftwaffe Gallery 1. The pilot with RK in the cockpit is Lt. Stollnberger.

via Paddy Keating on the AHF -

Hans Stollnberger’s active career began in July 1940 during the Battle of Britain with II. (Schlacht)/Lehrgeschwader 1, based at Cambrai in northern France and commanded by Hauptmann Otto Weiss. II. Gruppe was equipped with Henschel 123s. II.(S)/LG 1 was recalled to Germany in July 1940 to retrain on Me 109 Es and then posted back to France, to Calais-Marck, in time for the finale of the Battle of Britain in September 1940. II.(S)/LG 1 remained at Calais-Marck until March 1941, when the Gruppe moved to participate in the invasion of Yugoslavia, where Stollnberger won the EK2 on 09.05.1941 as Fahnrich, his award document being signed by General der Flieger Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen, Commander of VIII Fliegerkorps.

Receiving the Combat pilot clasp in Bronze on 28 June 1941, he was promoted to Leutnant on 30.06.1941. He was in 4. Staffel, commanded by Alfred Druschel, as Barbarossa was launched, flying sorties in support of Army Group South. He received the EK1 and the Combat clasp in Gold on 23 July 1941. His EK1 document was signed by Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring.
In September and October 1941, II.(S)/LG 1 was based at Kalinin, covering the unsuccessful attempt to take Moscow. On 13.01.1942, II.(S)/LG 1 became Schlachtgeschwader 1, still commanded by Otto Weiss, now an Oberstleutnant. On 07.02.1942, Stollnberger received the Ehrenpokal or honour goblet. The unit covered the advance of Army Group South towards Stalingrad and into the Crimea. On 01.05.1942, he received the Winter War Medal.

In September 1942, Stollnberger became Staffelführer of 8./Sch. G. 1 and received the DkiG on 24 September 1942, which usually preceded the award of the Ritterkreuz. He received the RK in the field on 18 October 1942 after his 460th combat mission as a Schlachtflieger with 20 confirmed victories. He received the Pendant to his Gold Fighter Clasp on 06.12.1942 and was promoted Oberleutnant on 20 February 1943.

On 24 May 1943, Stollnberger was promoted Hauptmann and flew sorties at Kursk (Zitadelle) in July 1943 as Staffelkapitän of 6./ Sch. G. 1. By now his unit had converted from its Emils to Focke-Wulf 190 Antons under Alfred Druschel. During the battle Stollnberger was shot down by Soviet anti-aircraft guns and spent four days evading capture behind enemy lines before crossing the Don river at night and reaching German lines.

Stollnberger was posted from the Eastern Front to France for a spell as an instructor with 2./SG 101, formed in February 1942 from Schlachtfliegerschule 1 and based in Reims. From 18.05.1944 to 10.11.1944, Stollnberger commanded I./SG 101, flying Ar 96s, Fw 190s and Hs 129s out of Paris-Orly and then, as Allied forces advanced through eastern France, Wischau.

He was then posted to III./SG 4 serving from 22 January 1945 with 8./SG 10 in Papa, Hungary as Staffelkapitän. SG 10 was equipped with Fw 190 Fs and Gs. As the Soviets advanced, the unit left Papa in March 1945, returning to Germany, and in the final weeks of the war, flew from Bad Vöslau, Markersdorf, Hörsching, Wels and Zeltweg.

Hauptmann Stollnberger ended WW2 with a score of 45 aerial victories plus countless ground targets destroyed during more than 600 combat missions. While he is usually listed as a Stuka ground attack pilot in correspondence (with PK) he claimed his final victories were in Me262 "Turbojäger". Given the Führerbefehl regarding the way in which the new jets were manned and deployed, especially towards the end, this is not beyond the realms of possibility..