Lufttransportstaffel 290
 

Hello...

Can anyone provide information on this aircraft, please? I would like to know its sub-type and confirmation of its unit. Apparently this photo was taken at Sidi Ahmed in May, 1943.

Thanks in advance...

Paul

Re: Lufttransportstaffel 290
 

Paul,

According to the table in "Die Grossen Dessauer" this was an A-1 - Wk Nr 290110154 of LTS290

Re: Lufttransportstaffel 290
 

Here Paul,

And Andy, almost correct, Mr. Ott and Mr. Kössler did not know that an additonal 0 (null) was missing from their list of Ju 290 numbers. This came to light when an main dataplate from sister aircraft (W.Nr. 2900110157 owed by Stephen F. Polyak) came to light last year. Otherwise book is excellent reading; aircraft thus Ju 290 A-1 W.Nr. 2900110154 SB+QD J4+AH of 1./LTS 290 : Non-OPS (H) struck ground (50% Er) {landing at night at the edge of Sidi Achmed Airfield} at Bizerta [Tunisia] 01.05.1943 (Hptm. Vogel and crew uninjured)

cheers
ed

Re: Lufttransportstaffel 290
 

Andy/Ed...

Thanks for that information. Ed, could you just clarify 'non-OPS (H)' for me please?

Paul

Re: Lufttransportstaffel 290
 

Non-combat - non-operational.

Re: Lufttransportstaffel 290
 

Jim...

Thanks... sorry to keep at this :o, but what does the (H) stand for in relation to this ?

Regards...

Paul

Re: Lufttransportstaffel 290
 

In Ge.Qu. 6.Abt. loss records this stands for ´Heimat´ (i.e. Home front) vs F ´Feindflug´ or Front-Flug (War-Flight).

For translation purposes in my research I have ´classified´ these similar to what the RAF did in their records when describing how many Operational Flights vs Non-Operational flights. Similar I have sometimes used (S) for Schulen Training flights.

The German meaning (I understand) is either ´in-combat-loss´ or ´not-in-combat´. Your questions are quite valid to ask.

Re: Lufttransportstaffel 290
 

Of course, even with 50% damage, this aircraft was a total loss for the Luftwaffe, as it was not possible to repair it before the end of the Tunisia campain, or to ferry it on the other side of the Mediterranean.

And the "non-ops" coding make me wonder how the Lufwaffe was classifying its transport flights in dangerous area (like runs to Tunisia in 1943). I doubt that a Ju 290 was doing a training sortie in this area at this date, but it could have been a test flight after repairs on the field.

Re: Lufttransportstaffel 290
 

Laurent. The Luftwaffe used both H and F in that area. Just dependent on what happened. (I am trying uploading an example from 29.05.43)

Here:

Re: Lufttransportstaffel 290
 

Hi, Ed...

Thanks again for the explanation. Never too late to find out something I never knew before... :D.

Regards...

Paul

Re: Lufttransportstaffel 290
 

Very interesting news! I´ve seen the F for Feindflug on some Logbooks, but let´s me ask another question: Does the F for Combat mission request the crossing over the Front Line? What was the difference between the two?
Should the H = for non operational flights be considered like the RAF´s Test Flights or Cross Country Flights?
Should the pilots mention this kind of flight on their logbooks with H or just let the non-operational flights without marking them?
Very interesting debate and news. Thanks a lot for enhancing my knowledge as well.
Yours
Adriano

Re: Lufttransportstaffel 290
 

I'm sure there is a previous thread about this somewhere. My understanding is ...

Feindflug = a flight against the enemy, either crossing the line (or the coast?) or to intercept hostile air forces over your own territory.

Heimatflug = a flight within your own lines that is not against hostile aircraft. This could be a test of transfer flight or even one against a ground target (I have seen a logbook where anti-partisan missions in Russia are not classed as a Feindflug).

"Frontflug" also occurs sometimes. I ahve seen it with reconnaissance aircraft and it seems to be flight to the front lines but not across them.

Other people will no doubt add to this.

Re: Lufttransportstaffel 290
 

Werkstattflug = Testflight (Airtest) f.e. after repair
Messflug = Measuring flight (calibration of instruments or research-flight etc.)
Úberland = Cross-country flight (from A to B)
Úberfuhrung(s)-flug = Delivery flight
Teknik-flug = Flight training (Tactical training, Procedures etc.)
Bombenflug = Bombing training

All of abowe known from logbooks; most or all likely classified ´H´
but if enemy was involved then ´F´!

I may have drifted off course (tread) ... but, ok?
More comments/questions are welcome.