[Keizer Cali]

Dear Philippe,

Thank you for pointing out this anomaly, which is a typographic error. Indeed, as far as we know, no W.Nr. 211251 has existed. I will ensure that an erratum is posted on the JaPo web site, and also included in the overall list of errata in Vol. III.

While I do not have all my references at hand, the photographs on page 467 of Part II that you refer to are in all likelihood of W.Nr. 210185 as tested at the Soviet Air Forces Scientific Research Institute - please compare them with the second picture of W.Nr. 210251 on page 71 of the "Modeler's Eye 4". The differences between the paint scheme on the engine section and the application of the date on the starboard side of the radiator cowling of both aircraft are minimal, but sufficiently different to conclude that we are looking at two different aircraft.

You mention that W.Nr. 210251 may have been a JG 6 aircraft, but that is highly doubtful. As far as can be verified, JG 6 received its first D-9 on 20 January 1945 at FW Sorau, the majority stemming from the W.Nr. 2111xx batch, plus deliveries from the series W.Nr. 2119xx and 212xxx. Only a limited number of the Geschwader's D-9s came from WFG, MME and GFW, and in most cases these were repaired aircraft. In addition, W.Nr. 210251 does not show any traces of previous ownership, such as a spiral on the spinner or a II. Gruppe bar.

Exactly why W.Nr. 210185 and 210251 were captured at Marienburg remains controversial, since their production date would presuppose a delivery to a frontline unit some time in January 1945 - we have always felt that they were actually repaired aircraft, which would also explain e.g., their bulged canopies.

That said, you will undoubtedly want to hear about the next volumes of the Fw 190D-9 camouflage & markings books.
The passing of Eric has come as a complete and terrible shock to me, in the first place because Eric and I were very close friends, but also because we had made good progress in the preparation of Volume III. The only “positive” thing that I can say is that I will definitely continue the work that we started, utilising all the material that we have gathered. I will be travelling to his home town in Normandy in December, and assist his wife Pascale in clearing and organising his entire archive – that is what Eric wished to happen to his material and I will respect that unconditionally, so that the research can go on, and hopefully his memory and spirit will allow me to bring our project to a good end. I know that Eric would have done exactly the same thing for me, and continuing the work will be a way of paying tribute to him, both as a friend and a dedicated researcher.

I regret that I cannot be more precise at this moment. It will only be near the end of this year – when having had the time to analyse Eric’s archive – that I will be able to realistically re-schedule the edition of Volume III. Once that is done, I can again look into the very initial plan that we had for a possible Volume IV and a similar project on the He 162.

I hope this clarifies your questions, but do not hesitate to refer back to me for further information.

Marc