Hi guys
I just noticed that Claes Sundin has posted a color profile of Fw 190 A-8 "White 15" (W.Nr. 739 136) of 5./JG 4 flown by Oberleutnant Anatol Rebane who defected to Bullfofta in Sweden with this machine on 30 April 1945 at
http://luftwaffeinprofile.se/Anatol%20Rebane.html. What is interesting is that it appears that this aircraft was fitted with the auxiliary fuel tank in the rear fuselage yet was not fitted with the ETC 501 rank. I have read that when the auxiliary tank was fitted it was necessary to equip the fighter with the ETC 501 rank as well in order to maintain the center of gravity. However, due to the fact that the BMW 801 TU was heavier than the standard set up with the BMW 801 D-2 when this particular power plant was fitted it did away with the need to include the ETC 501 rack. Therefore, it may well be that this particular fighter was powered by the BMW 801 TU. I should point out that it is possible that my information may be in error and/or this aircraft was fitted with an ETC 501 rack but that it had been removed prior to the photographs being taken.
Any comments or corrections will be appreciated.
Horrido!
Leo