Seeking Photos of White Stab markings on Bf109Ds and Es during 1939-40
 

Hello,

Recently I requested any information on Bf109D-1s of Stab III./ZG26 during 1939 for tEoE profile artwork packages. This unit was renamed Stab I./JGr126 during Sept, 1939. I got no responses, and my network of contacts has drawn a blank. However, a photo of a 1938 photo of an Ar68 of this unit provided recently by Franck shows a white Stab marking (Adj chevron) with a thin white outline. This makes me think that the photos I'm looking for show Bf-109D-1s with white Stab markings, and which are probably in people's unidentified or misc. files. The key to identifying these besides white Stab markings is that these should have a white III Gr vertical bar, thinly outlined in black, on the fuselage behind the fuselage cross. Can anyone either provide scans or point me to a source for such photos?

Further, I'm still looking for photos of I./JG21 Stab a/c during the first six months of 1940, using Bf109Es in early 1940-camouflage and carrying white Stab markings. This unit became III./JG54 from July, 1940, and I'm still searching for additional photo references from this period. In addition to white Stab markings, these a/c would all carry anywhere from a light to a heavy mottle over the fuselage sides, and usually yellow cowlings or tails.

I know that some other units used white Stab markings during 1940, but this is what I'm looking for right now.

Can anyone help?

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

Re: Seeking Photos of White Stab markings on Bf109Ds and Es during 1939-40
 

Larry,

a low-resolution scan of the only photo that I have ever come across of the I./JG21 Stab a/c during the first six months of 1940, using Bf109Es in early 1940-camouflage is attached for your ready reference. Unfortunately, the Stab markings are not visible. The photo was taken from a Raumbild-Verlag Otto Schönstein book Fliegen und Siegen, which can apparently be procured here http://www.usmbooks.com/raumbild_luftwaffe.html . I happen to have this photo in original if you need a good quality scan.

As for the Stab III./JG54 aircraft a nice example can be found on David Weiss' excellent website here http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/ . Should be able to send you a direct link via e-mail.

Regards,
Sinisa

Re: Seeking Photos of White Stab markings on Bf109Ds and Es during 1939-40
 

Sinisa,

Thanx for going to the trouble to post these. I have a high res photo of the first one, which we presently think was taken in early 1941, not 1940. The second photo shows a shot down a/c from the Gruppenstab of III./JG54 that was shot down in England on 12.08.40 with Oblt. Albrecht Dress piloting. I also have a high res copy of this one from the original source, and we've already turned this into an EoE color profile.

Still looking for additional photos of Stab a/c from this unit. Our profile specs require seven from this unit from 09.39 through 12.40, so it takes a number of reference a/c to accomplish this.

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

Re: Seeking Photos of White Stab markings on Bf109Ds and Es during 1939-40
 

Larry,

I was so convinced that the photo can be dated to the spring 1940 that I did not pay attention to the apparent fact that the propeller hub is capped, which would indicate the Bf109E-7 model, and early 1941, as suggested.

Soon thereafter, during the campaign in the Balkans, the emblem could be seen in more or less usual 300 x 250 mm size and positioned beneath the aircraft windscreen.

Sorry about that.

Regards,
Sinisa

Re: Seeking Photos of White Stab markings on Bf109Ds and Es during 1939-40
 

Larry

Not sure if this fuzzy small and far away shot, from my 'unknown file' finds the target.

Cheers

Chris