[G.R.Morrison]

No luck with 8577. As to your other requests:

Bf 109F-4/trop WNr.10096 (Stammkennzeichen: VE+TP) was serving with the III./JG 5 when it suffered engine damage (reported as 10%) 14.March 1943 southwest of Petsamo. It was reported lost 15.June 1944 while serving with the E-St./JG 101.

WNr.10098 (VE+TR) got around: While with the Stab/JG 3 on 23.May 1942 Geschwaderkommodore Günther Lützow experienced a technical failure and ‘Aussenlandung’ near Tschugujew, where it was damaged 10%.

While serving now with the Stab/JG 52 it was damaged (15%) 4.July 1942 by enemy fire at Jasenki.

Finally, Ltn. Wilhelm Vetter, Staffelführer 1./Schl.G. 2 went MIA 22.March 1943 (cause and location unknown). At this point it was coded “weiße 3”

As to Espenlaub’s rudder, examining the photo in the 1969 edition of Fighters Over the Desert, I’m not entirely convinced we’re looking (at an acute 1 o’clock angle) at two rows of Abschußbalken. Just beneath these is ‘daylight’ showing through the rudder frame, which makes me wonder if it is damage, or the fabric cut away (but then, Why leave the slight space between rows?).

GRM