Hello!
http://cgi.ebay.de/WW2-German-Fw190-...item563ead607a
I wonder if the Fw 190 white 7 in the colour photo above could from be the elusive 7./JG 26 instead of JG 54? Clearly the markings are that of 7 Staffel and III Gruppe. The camo (and vegetation) points strongly to Summer 1943.
According the Aviation History Society Norway database in 1943 there is only two Fw 190 losses from III Gruppe JG 54 plus three Fw 190 losses for 7./54 and all were 100%. The Gruppe did receive 12 Fw 190 - one Staffel worth - in March, 1943 but gave them to another unit in the end of the month. Could this have been the 7./JG 26?
I have speculated earlier that 7./JG 26 came to East with three-tone camouflaged Fw 190 planes and gave them to JG 54 (4./JG 54) after they left Eastern Front (see:
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=8108 ). Perhaps the camo was after all JG 54 originated and 7./26 indeed got the planes from JG 54? For I/JG 26 in Eastern Front there are couple of pictures which do show different camo than that on the colour photo above, though.
Among the 7./JG 26 losses (at AHS) there is at least one (WNr. ) which might fit to the colour picture scene:
04.04.19437./J.G.26FFocke-Wulf FW 190 A-5 WNr. 5882
?? + ??
Fl.Pl.Krasnogwardeisk
Bauchlandung infolge Flakbeschuß
(Luftflotte 1) 20 %
Although I have to admit that the hay or other vegetation in the photo is quite high to be in April in Leningrad area. Another possiblity then might be a 4./JG 54 plane later in 1943 still with 7./JG 26 markings. Or some unrecorded mishap.
BTW is the swastika really painted over or is it just the photo?
What do the experts think? Is this speculation only my wishful thinking?
Cheers,
Kari