Gustav 'gunboats' - archive photo scan #33

 

..this Gustav has apparently just been ferried in to JG 301, location unknown - other views in the series show a background of pine trees and note the Fw 190 nose left. Note 'TS +..' Stkz and the mid-fuselage (yellow) band (recalling the 'infamous' 'TS+MB' machines). The 'tall tail' with typical late-war finish, looks to be a replacement item. 

The inscription adjacent to the fuel filler triangle reads " W=12 ", also repeated on the front face of the prop blades.. click on the image to view large.

and from Dr. Jochen Prien;

" ..This is Bf 109 G-6, WerkNr. 163 048, which was issued to 7./JG 301 at Gross Sachsenheim in April 1944, becoming „white 7“. Its further career at III./JG 301 is not known (to me), before it was assigned to I./JG 104, where it was badly damaged ( 65 % ) in a crash landing owing to engine failure on 13 August 1944, the pilot getting away unscathed. The marking at this time was still „white 7“. It was probably not repaired owing to the extent of the damage. There is a very similar Bf 109 G-6 – „black 6“ of 8./JG 301 published in JFV 13/I p 492.. "

I./JG 27 gunboats at  Fels am Wagram defending the southern borders