[maccullagh]

Thank you Robert and Andeas.

I think it is about time that I post the photo (but I do not know how to).

The photo has my father standing near the BF 109 and he obscures the area from the country symbol, white theatre band and the group bar, all of which are only partly visible.

From what I can deduce is that the theatre band is touching the country symbol at the rear and the gruppe bar travels from or through the theatre band towards the rudder or rear of the fuselage.

I have not seen another plane with these markings until I saw BF 109G-2 of 11/JG 51 which was based in Sardinia, summer 1943. this plane has a Yellow 7 and the gruppe bar is yellow (Axis Aircraft Of World War II, David Mondey, Page 171).

Most other planes of II/ JG 27 that I have seen have the theatre band further towards the rudder with the Gruppe bar travelling through the band towards the country symbol, that is forward.

What makes me sure that it is Yellow 9 is the pale colour of the 9 which is bound by a black outline. Although I agree with Robert that the Gruppe bar is red , I have not seen any illustration that shows the Gruppe bar outlined in black as it is in my photo, which has been taken from the starboard side.

What I should do is tell my old man to move a couple of metres to the left so we could see all of the details, but I think I might be 64 years to late for that one.....

Again I thank you for the information and help that you have given.

I will post photo as soon as I can.

Rick