KG51 markings on the engins of Ju88

[Simon Schatz]

Hello folks!

Maybe the one or other knows the article about the KG51 markings in Luftwaffe im Focus 16/2010? There is a nice description how the engine rings and the spinners were painted.

I. Gruppe white ring
1. Staffel white spinner
2. Staffel red spinner
3. Staffel yellow spinner

II. Gruppe red ring (or sometimes no ring)
4. Staffel white spinner
5. Staffel red spinner
6. Staffel yellow spinner

III. Gruppe yellow ring
7. Staffel white spinner
8. Staffel red spinner
9. Staffel yellow spinner

Interesting is that it wasn't common to use red Staffel letters on the fuselage. Instead of red they were painted black with white outline. (I know the one or other plane were the letter defenitely was red, but most were black.)

These markings were first seen at the beginning of the Russian campign. Does anybody knows when they stopped these markings?

In spring 1943 7./KG51 used some Ju88C-6. Did these planes also have these rings on the engines? I have never seen a photographic evidence.

Best regards, Simon