[Milos Gazdic]

Hello all,

During my recent visit to Serbia I received a book: "Focke Wulf Fw 190 & Ta 152" by Eduardo Soler & Aurelio Giemeno from Accion Press from a friend & I was nicely surprised to notice that Fw 190 A-3 "10+I" has triggered some interest with artists / authors since it's one of the few rare mounts that is proposed in various options because of the non-standard camouflage. Famous Fw 190 A-6/R11 Neptun from 2./JG 300 "Schwartze 8 +" is another of few machines discussed in similar manner by authors.

Unfortunately, "Spanglish" in which the book is written is not really easy to follow (similar probably to my Serbglish) and I wish I had original Spanish edition.

Authors are calling for the same photo source. They are calling also for a large contrast of the fuselage sides compared to RLM 76 area of the cowling/hood, and mention the remains of the codes still being visible on the sides.

They offer three options / variation on the story of the painting of this, for me, amazing looking mount:

i) Suggestion that standardly painted RLM 76 with 74/75 machine had it's wing-roots, tail & fuselage sides Sanded down to bare metal;

ii) Suggestion that this area in fact was a repainted in RLM77 with the remaining of the fuselage/wings undersurfaces staying in RLM 76;

iii) Suggestion that the aircraft was originally painted in RLM 65 and 71/02. Such "old-style" camo was later repainted with RLM76 on the fuselage. Which still leaves the question of clearly NMF wing roots? Also being a mount built by Arado - authors believe that the mount was not painted in old but new colors.

Reading the text over & over options ii & iii are less probable by authors & they believe in option i the most. I add to that option iv and believe that the airframe was never painted in RLM 76 in these areas at all, judging by few other test airframes from A-2 and A-3 period that remained NMF for various tests. It is important to notice that this was kind of a period in which Luftwaffe had advantage in the skies & the only time where NMF would be an option that would not be a problem and would help add to the speed of the aircraft & save on the production cost (in short).

Best,
Milos

PS Just to add that the authors of the book are showing the machines in all options as coded "Gelbe 10+ l"