Late February 1941 saw the appointment and arrival of the new Kommodore of JG 2. Wick's successor, Hptm. Wilhelm Balthasar, was another ace who enjoyed a considerable reputation. Born in 1914, he had been orphaned following the death of his father on the Western Front. Following his enlistment in 1933 and service in an artillery regiment, Wilhelm Balthasar had subsequently transferred into the Luftwaffe and gone on to serve in Spain. Appointed to lead the recce detachment of the bomber arm of the Legion Condor (claiming a single aerial victory), he had moved to the fighter arm and added a further six Luftsiege to his score. Kapitän of 1./JG 1 in Poland and during the offensive in the West, Balthasar had been awarded the Ritterkreuz on 14 June 1940 having achieved twenty three victories. In August 1940, the young officer headed up III./JG 3 during the air battles over England. He had added to his tally during the Battle of Britain but sustained injuries on two occasions. It was only following his return to flying duties that this experienced veteran was appointed to command the "Richthofen". Hptm. Karl-Heinz Greisert stood down from his temporary role in charge of the Geschwader and resumed command of his II./JG 2.
Balthasar's presumably 'brand-new' yellow-nosed Bf 109 F-2, most probably only just received at the unit. Rudder scoreboard shows 31 victories (May 19, 1941).
my ICM Friedrich is finished in the markings of Kommodore Balthasar as seen in late May 1941 in the three greys, but being an early F-2, there’s a chance it could have been finished in BoB Emil colours - 71/02/65. Decals assembled from various remnants, including the rudder ‘kill’ markings. Balthasar was one of the leading Luftwaffe aces during the campaign in the West and the Battle of Britain. He was killed in his new Friedrich during July 1941.
Overall the ICM Bf 109 Fs are a little tricky in parts -especially the cowl - but the detail is reasonably good..
More on Balthasar's Battle of Britain Emil
https://falkeeins.blogspot.com/2016/03/more-on-balthasars-battle-of-britain.html
Starboard view Kommodore machine, May 1941
my ICM Friedrich is finished in the markings of Kommodore Balthasar as seen in late May 1941 in the three greys, but being an early F-2, there’s a chance it could have been finished in BoB Emil colours - 71/02/65. Decals assembled from various remnants, including the rudder ‘kill’ markings. Balthasar was one of the leading Luftwaffe aces during the campaign in the West and the Battle of Britain. He was killed in his new Friedrich during July 1941.
Overall the ICM Bf 109 Fs are a little tricky in parts -especially the cowl - but the detail is reasonably good..
https://falkeeins.blogspot.com/2016/03/more-on-balthasars-battle-of-britain.html
Starboard view Kommodore machine, May 1941
