[Larry Hickey]

Peter,

Great photo Peter! Simply the best!!

This aircraft is listed as down on November 2nd as "Black 6," which is obviously one of the numbers that were on there. Is it possible to interpret the "Black 6" layer (or two layers of the same number as Ruy suggests) as being on top, rather than second under the "5"? I haven't studied this that carefully, but that looks like a possible interpretation. Whoever sanded down through the layers would know best what this was (and maybe is the source of your listed interpretation). I note that both the German report of the loss (Prien JFV 4/II, P. 273, lists this as Black 6), and the British crash (G) report ("markings black 6+1 all in black outlined white") indicates that the final marking should be a "Black 6" with a thin white outline. Although I have photos of two previous forced-landed "Black 6s" of 8./JG53 during 1940 in my DB, I don't have any photos of this particular a/c down "in situ," or during the transfer or at the time of its arrival in India. However, I'm sure that some were made at the time by the local press of this "gift" from Britain, or shortly thereafter if the aircraft was subsequently put on public display. Is anyone aware of the existence of any contemporary photos of this bird? That would probably immediately settle this issue.

Thanks to all for your comments and information. Most informative and helpful.

Regards,