Re: Fw 190 A-8, I./JG 301
 

Unfortunately, Nick, Kevin seems to have directed his remarks to David, not Harold.

Regardless, it's a very interesting thread!

Re: Fw 190 A-8, I./JG 301
 

Thank you all for your answers.
They helped me a lot.

Best regards

Michael

Re: Fw 190 A-8, I./JG 301
 

Greetings!

I have followed the debate regarding JG 301:s late-war markings with some interest, and I have been impressed by the research.

Being no expert myself, I would never the less like to ask a question: on the previous home-page for JG 301, there was displayed a photo of a Fw 190A-8 (red 11) late-1944 wearing a white-green-white RV band. This has also been illustrated by Mr Christer Bergström.

The question is as follows: was this a short-lived RV variation, or was this aircraft a “hand-over” from another unit?

Being on the subjekt, I can still recall the medieveal times of aviation research (the sixties)
When Profile Publication was the state of the art. Especially the number covering the Fw 190 D-9 with its illustration of an aircraft claimed to have been operated by III/ JG 54 wearing a most colourful RV band of red-yellow-red, and I still encounter this on the net from time to time.

Best wishes to all!

Re: Fw 190 A-8, I./JG 301
 

Just for the record, has anyone ever considered the possibility JG 11 changed their assigned aircraft tail band color?

Consider this: during this period, with countless German aircraft already operating with yellow tail bands, wouldn't you think JG 11's commanders would have quickly realized they had a serious recognition problem?

To correct this, I'll wager the officers of JG 11 authorized the addition of a red band forward of the existing yellow band.

I respectfully submit this explanition as a plausible alternative to the so-called "transposed JG 301" tail band colors theory.

Re: Fw 190 A-8, I./JG 301
 

Hello!

If I am understanding you correctly, you are reffering to the fact that eastern front units falling back in 1945 were also wearing the same colours as JG 11:s assigned yellow, and thus the need for a separate identifier.

Interesting thought, but there was obviously a policy in the Luftwaffe not to duplicate colours, the most known being JG 300:s change from rust-red to blue-white-blue, in order not to be cunfused with JG 1:s clear-red RV band.

Bearing that in mind, the second colour would have been something else
blue? green?

Unfortunately, no such aircraft has thus far been reported, at least to my knowledge.

As the saying goes, that does´nt mean that it have´nt existed, but so far there is nothing supporting that assumption, but who knows what may turn up next week......?

Sincerely yours

Angantyr

Re: Fw 190 A-8, I./JG 301
 

A very good bit of info on the reversed color bands can be found in the interview of Generalmajor a.D. Roderich Cescotti, starting on page 142 in Jerry Crandall's new Dora book that was just released.
Cescotti was Technical Officer for JG301 and later was Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG301. He covers this oddity well with answers for these questions in the very interesting interview in the book. there are also pages included on the JG301 tactical markings elswhere in the book you will find of interest.
Kevin