[David E. Brown]

Hi Richard,

I answered your question in my first paragraph: I compared photos of it taken immediately after its surrender when still in German markings against those taken after its arrival in the USA (January 1946 under USN charge I believe). In the latter, traces of the German markings and camouflage pattern are visible bleeding through the US paint and precisely match those in the former. There is no US documentation of its werknummer as it was overpainted, and would have been removed when it was stripped during its 'restoration' in the mid-1950s.

Jim, I am in no doubt that the fellow next to Watson is Haeffner. I do have access to Haeffner's Luftwaffe documents and will look to confirm his rank. It is quite possible I have made an error here.

Stig, beats me why no one bothered to dig into this. I'd like to think it was the passage of time and later ability to access data and documents, and especially fellow enthusiasts that made it possible and greatly assisted by the internet. I also believe that Phil Butler's outstanding research and book profoundly advanced our ability to identify many aircraft over the subsequent years. Indeed, his is the most-thumbed and consulted book in my library.

Cheers,

David