KG 53 Heinkel 111 coded A1+IN - info about it?

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Probably one of the most beautiful Heinkels I ever saw in life or in picture..
https://www.ebay.de/itm/384216229558

Any information about this A1+IN ?
Seems to be an H-6?

Is it possible to track down a loss or a pilot. Frame time may be winter of 1942-43 or 1943-44.

A.

[Matti Salonen]

1941-12-30, 4./KG 53, He 111 H-6, 4366, A1+IN, 6 km westlich Pokrow
Flugzeugführer Gefr Aussenegg, Erich, +
Bombenschütze Uffz Schuml, Johann, +
Bordfunker Uffz Mergner, Herbert, verletzt
Bordschütze Uffz Paruschke, Paul, +
Notlandung infolge Motorstörung. Bruch 100 %.
1943-02-25, 5./KG 53, He 111 H-11, 8023, A1+IN, Snamenka
Flugzeugführer Uffz Laun, Herbert, +
Beobachter Obgfr Kappeller, Ernst, +
Bordfunker Uffz Kraus, Rudolf, +
Bordmechaniker Gefr Tille, Rudolf, +
Bordschütze Gefr Jursch, Werner, +
Eigener Flakbeschuß. Bruch 100 %.
1943-09-10, II/KG 53, He 111 H-16, 160693, A1+IN, Fl.Pl. Olsufjewo
Bandenüberfall. Flugzeug bei Flugplatzräumung zurückgelassen. Bruch 100 %.

Matti

[Chris Goss]

...and of course it might have been one of a number of A1+INs. Without a positive Wk Nr we can never be sure

[Adriano Baumgartner]

MATTI: Thanks for the information about those A1+IN known...

CHRIS: Sure! Nevertheless a wonderful picture and winter camouflage, isn't it? Different pattern like those utilized on a well known photographed Hs 129 "coded K" that appears on several books.

Particularly for me, I do rank this shot as one of the most beautiful Heinkels 111 I ever saw in photos or books...

Cheerio

A.

[Thomas H]

Hi Adriano,

This is the He111 H-6 with WkNr. 4366 from 4. Staffel that got lost on the 30.12.1941.

Regards, Thomas

PS. If you look closely at the photo you can see the Staffelabzeichen (diving Condor) behind the cockpit.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hello Thomas,

I saw the diving eagle emblem on the right side of the cockpit, yes...I was trying to find the werknummer on the rudder, but guess it was blurred by white paint.

My "personal bet" was with the second machine listed by Matti...I thought it was winter of 1942 to 43....BUT NOW, thanks to you, it was positively identified and we do have, thanks to MATTI what happened to the crew...

For me, it STILL IS one of the most beautiful Heinkels 111 I ever saw in pictures...shall acquire in the future a 1/72 kit to just try to built it as it is shown on this photo...Wonderful camouflage and shot....

Congratulations for the winner....

A.

[David E. Brown]

Gents,

I believe that aircraft is He 111 H-6, A1+IN, WNr.4366 of 4./KG 53. Note that the dorsal B-Stand has the collapsible clam-shell windscreen behind the standing figure in that position. The H-11 was fitted with the fully armoured windscreen. The antenna mast is in the same position for both variants.

As an aside, A1+IN points to a 5. Staffel aircraft, though the machine was probably assigned to 4. Staffel at the time of its loss.

Also, II./KG 53 operating out of Schatalowka-Ost, USSR from Oct. 10 1941 to Oct. 6 1942. The photo could have been taken at that location.

Best,

David

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks David

Surely you mean 1 Oct 1941 (as per Holm's site).
Otherwise the unit was based in Russia long before Barbarossa began....

I suppose you are used to the American way of dates, hence the mistake.

Otherwise your logic is certainly good enough for me!

Cheers
Stig

[David E. Brown]

Ouch - my bad! I have made the correction.

Yes, Of course Stig. I did consult Michael's website but poor transcription on my part (it was late...).

BTW, I am Canadian, but typically those in my country use both continental and American formats.

Cheers,

David

[Thomas H]

Found another photo of this he111 from the same seller. I upload both as the link will stop working one day.

Regards, Thomas