[S Sheflin]

I just got back to this thread and it seems as if I’ve missed a good one. With a few small exceptions, I agree with everything Jerry says regarding the reversed RV bands of I./JG 301. As result of my lazy research, I have documented the following I./JG 301 Fw 190 As with reversed Red/Yellow RV bands:

A-8, 737939, 9+ Bk o/l W, “Die Starke Mann” logo
A-8, <4+ Bk o/l W
A-8, 5+ W, Color photographs
A-8?, 6+ Bk o/l W
A-8?, 9+ Bk o/l W, Not the same aircraft as 737939 above
A-8?, UNK, In a lineup of at least 15 Fw 190 Fs at Ansbach.

First, regarding the existence of two I./JG 301 Fw 190s marked 9+, Jerry is correct; these are definitely two separate aircraft. However, Jerry says they are marked “Blue 9.” Until now, I thought they also carried white outlined black markings, and eagerly await any evidence Jerry may have refuting my belief. Interestingly, the only plane in my list without black outlined plane numbers is 5+ W.

So far, the only photos of JG 301 aircraft with the reversed Red/Yellow RV bands all come from I./JG 301. We have examples of II./JG 301 Fw 190 As and D-9s with 2. Gruppe bars and regulation Yellow/Red RV bands, but none with the reversed bands. Perhaps Jerry or someone else has discovered reversed examples from other JG 301 Gruppen, but I have yet to see any. Again, I look forward to further evidence.

Jerry’s stunning statement that he has spoken to JG 301 veterans who clearly recall repainting ex. JG 11 aircraft by adding a red band forward on an existing yellow band, is strong evidence indeed. However, it also raises an interesting question. Why didn’t the unit just paint the red band over the rear of the existing yellow band? One possibility might be that the JG 11 planes carried non-standard (less that 900 mm) narrow RV bands. Another possibility is that they did it on purpose.

R. Bueschel’s beautiful photo set of JG 11’s A-8 10+ Bk, WNr. 380352, also carries the “Starke Mann“ crest. While not absolute proof of the thesis, it is yet another piece of evidence for the idea that aircraft so marked originally came from JG 11 and were expeditiously remarked by I./JG 301; adding a red band over the existing yellow band.

Finally, I do have color photos of an Fw 190 A-8 that clearly carries a two part RV band with red forward and yellow aft. If this is not a JG 301 marking, then what is it? I am not dogmatic on these questions and eagerly welcome other explanations.

Regards,

Steve Sheflin