Quote:
Originally Posted by Karoband
Hi Nick and Dan,
You may be correct. Me 262s of III./EJG 2 at Lechfeld were distinguished not only by the yellow band but, in many photos, by white or bare metal forward engine nacelle cowls. In particular, photos of Erich Hohagen in Me 262 A-1a W.Nr. 170071 White 2 on 15 November 1944 show such bare metal cowls. A close look at "white 3" in my #261 shows that the cowls are replacements.
Jim
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It seems at least possible that this was one of the first three airframes made available for conversion to the reconnaissance role, hence the non-standard nose panels.
From Bundesarchiv RL 2-I/79, Lageorientierungen und Einsatzplanungen.- Tagesverlauf, Besprechungsnotizen, Bd. 1 (März-Juni 1944), frame _0208.
Der Chef des Lutwaffenführungsstabes Den 22.6.1944
Ia Nr. 4532/44 g.Kdos.17.Ang.
Tagesverlauf am 22.6.44
6.) … Chef Genst. ist mit der Forderung 3 Zellen Me 262 für Aufklärer, wie schon bereits mehrmals gefordert freizugeben, einverstanden. Die 3 Zellen sind für Einbau der 3 vorhandenen Bildkanzeln freizugeben.
Roughly translated:
Day's events, 22 June 1944
6.) … The Chief of the General Staff is in agreement with the requisition, as already submitted several times, to make available 3 Me 262 airframes for reconnaissance [versions]. The 3 airframes are to be made available for the installation of the 3 existing camera nose-sections.