Ju 52 with unusual tail

[edwest]

I don't know if these photos have been offered before.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=390105441416

Supposedly made from original negatives.



Usual disclaimer,
Ed

[Sergio Luis dos Santos]

I see nothing unusual in the tail. Are you talking about the markings? Usual for transport groups.

[RT]

At least for the tail markings they are totaly unusual.

Remi

[edwest]

I have seen other transport group markings. This one is unique in my experience.



Regards,
Ed

[Larry deZeng]

I'm with Sergio Luis. That's a theater tactical marking and these are all decoded in:

Kössler, Karl. Transporter – wer kennt sie schon! Die Kennzeichen der Transportfliegerverbände der Luftwaffe von 1937-1945. Düsseldorf: Alba Buchverlag, 1976. ISBN: 3-87094-410-2. Pb (card cover). 89p. Illus. Charts. Tables.

Herr Dipl.Ing. Kössler spent 20 years researching the subject and I think his book is the only one with comprehensive coverage of these special markings that were most common to the Mediterranean theater, but also employed in Russia.

L.

[RT]

Even if discussion could reveal a bit specious, but first what is the marking
O 3, 6 3, anything other above these 2 figures , or under as usual??? theater Mediterranean one ?
Usually codes used are 1 letter+1figure+1 letter...

Remi

[Peter D Evans]

I agree with Remi... the use if two numerals for a rudder tactical code is rare. Most are two letter & one number or Roman numeral, number & letter combinations. On flicking through the Kossler booklet, the only examples of two numbers being used include the following Ju52s coded in this manner:

Ju52 coded Big 5 small 4 of II./KG.z.b.V.1
Ju52 coded Big 8 small 9 of 8 Staffel II./KG.z.b.V.1
Ju52 coded Big 5 small 1 of 5 Staffel KG.z.b.V.1

So perhaps the example being discussed here belonged to 6 Staffel II./KG.z.b.V.1?

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

[obdl3945]

Hi...

Interesting one, this photo. Personally, I've never seen a two-digit rudder code before, so that's a first for me, but not sure about it being KGzbV1, whose code was '1Z'. To my eye, unit code looks more akin to 'G6', thus opening out the options to the several units known to have used that code.

Regards...

Paul

[Peter D Evans]

I may be wrong Paul, but I'm sure there are examples of rudder tactical codes that don't tie up with the Vktz. This is especially the case when the rudder code system was used as the primary identification and control/assignment method for temporary formations until mid-1943. Having said that, although the image of Big 6 small 3 is not the best, and the fuselage corrugation not aiding positive identification, I agree that its looks like G6+?? one minute... and then SG+?? the next!

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

[RT]

Good points to Peter, SG seems the better contender, didn't found any SG with Ju52 except a SG+BM 5590 nd SG+BL in Sicily
But could be G6 we hv a 7444 with KGr.zbv.Wittstock at trapani in dec. 42, 7644 was lost flying transport to or from Stalingrad, other Wn possible ??

Remi