[CJE]

Sorry to unearth a very old topic.

In some mag of the late 60s or early 70s was published a photograph of a museum 262 after it was restored in its original scheme. Clearly visible were a laurel wreath with a red "43" and a red star above and five additional bars painted beside.
The caption read: Ofw Heinz Arnold's aircraft.
From the photograph, this drawing was made in the mid-70s.
Wonder what the wreath meant and why "43" since he is supposed to have only bagged 42 kills in the East?

Any comments, gentlemen?