Stab/JG3 emblem

[Miguel]

I have been examining the published photos and I feel confused.
Perhaps some of you have more information and can clarify my doubts:

I only know two planes's photos: the F-2 belonging to G.Lützow in Summer 1941 and WN 8665 at the beginning of 1942. In the first one,the marking is the well known red surrounded shield,divided in eighth black and white parts, superimposed on a black, white surrounded axe.
There are three Tatzelwurm inside the shield, supposedly representing the three Geschwader Gruppen. Accordingly, in all publications that I have seen, they are white, red and yellow.
However, in the photographs, they are the same grey tone. And no one seems to be red or yellow.
Green, the Stab colour, perhaps?

About the F-4/Trop WN 8665, the same about the Tatzelwums, but the rest of the emblem seems to be inverted. I mean, the inside of the shield seems to be red and white, and the border black. The axe seems to be red,white bordered.

First question: Does anybody of you have some additional photos that can clarify what the tatzelwurms color is in this emblem?
Is WN 8665 an exception inverting the shieds colours?

Second question:
The photos of WN 8665 flown by Karl-Heinz Krahl (same plane with the inverted shield commented before) wears what looks as an inverted shield too (Black bordered shield, red and white parts inside). They are the only photos I know whith this particular aspect and does not seems due to the type of film (the other black parts are perfectly black).
Is it a peculiarity of this plane, or of II/JG3 Stab?.

It is probably a minor subject, but I would really appreciate your comments on this.

Thank you very much for reading.

[sidney]

Hi Miguel,

I would try to answer.

First question: Does anybody of you have some additional photos that can clarify what the tatzelwurms color is in this emblem?

I agree with your observation that the uppermost Tatzelwurm was not applied in white. It is quite possible that the Tatzelwurms' colours were green (Stab's colour), red and yellow. It is unlikely that all Tatzelwurms were applied in the same colour.

Is WN 8665 an exception inverting the shieds colours?

I believe that the colours were not inverted. The phenomenon you are referring to might have been due to the type of film then used. If I remember correctly, there was a long discussion about the type of films used in WW2 either in this forum or LEMB.

Furthermore, there should be a colour photo of the II./JG 3 emblem (showing similar phenomenon) in one of Prien's books. Will try and look for it.

Hope that the above helps.

Regards,
Sidney

[Miguel]

Thank you very much Sidney

About the tatzelwurms, in Prien's et al Vol 6/I, pag 48, the three look as being of the same medium colour. That is why I was supposing them to be green.

In the Vol 8/I, pag 60 and 61, there are slight variations in tone, but different in the two photos, so I supposed the three to be same colour as well.

About your comment on the type of film, probably you are right.

Thanks again.

Saludos

[sidney]

You are most welcome, Miguel. I am glad that I could help.

About the Tatzelwurms' colours; it is really hard for me to distinguish between different shades of grey from the available photographic evidence.

I just cannot see the point in applying the same green Tatzelwurm three times.

Regards,

Sidney

[Miguel]

Hi Sidney

With the few published information on hand, I think that to insist in one or other option would be especulative.

What it is clear for me is that, in the few publications in which this emblem is represented, the tatzelwurms are white, red and yellow, and you and I suspect that this, probably, is not correct.

Let's wait for new photos that could help to clarify the answer.

It has been pleasant to share opinions, even on a minor subject, as this one.

Best regards

Saludos