Photos 4-26-13 +

[Clint Mitchell]

Mark, I'm concerned with the tonal difference between the inner part of the numeral 6 and the RLM22 black areas of the Balkenkreuz. The 6 appears to be lighter could quite possibly be red?

[markjsheppard]

Hi Clint,

Now I get the question. Assuming it is JG53, I don't think JG53 used red numbers in 1940, just the standard white, black, yellow though an happy to be corrected.

Old style cross and unusual camouflage which I think I have seen elsewhere.

Mark

[Clint Mitchell]

Hi Mark, the guy in the cockpit is Rolf Pingel who was in JG53 during this period. Also the camouflage is almost certainly one of the experimental/non standard JG53 schemes of the period. I think this photo shows to good effect that perhaps during this period JG53 did use red numerals to some extent?

[ouidjat]

Originally Posted by markjsheppard

Hi Clint,

Now I get the question. Assuming it is JG53, I don't think JG53 used red numbers in 1940, just the standard white, black, yellow though an happy to be corrected.

Old style cross and unusual camouflage which I think I have seen elsewhere.

Mark

Hi Mark

Don't say this to Prien ... JFV Teil 2, "Der Sitzkrieg" from 1/9/1939 to 9/5/1940 Starting with Page 372 ....
Seller didn't write it was taken in 1940. And yes, it's a red 6. Pingel used to fly a red 1 too.

Regards, Franck.

[ChrisS]

Mark

I can see what Clint is hinting at, it looks more red than black to me, I have some other images of 8./JG53 aircraft that also seem to have red numbers. I know that 4034 had a black number with no hint of red so perhaps this is a different machine?

Cheers

Chris

[Clint Mitchell]

Chris, Pingel was Staffelkapitän of 2./JG53 during this period so the chances are that the 'Red 6' is from that staffel. Do you have any from 2./JG53.

[ChrisS]

Morning Clint!

Yes, Red 3 another Red 6 but in the pre-war scheme, Red 1 and Red 15. I've got some others somewhere but can't find 'em at the moment.

Cheers

Chris

[Clint Mitchell]

Afternoon! Thanks.

[Modeldad]

Thanks Ed, for many things.

[markjsheppard]

Hi Clint/Chris,

Was happy to be corrected. Could find reference to red numbers for I/JG53 but nothing for III/JG53. Pringle had two claims with III/JG53 in June 1940.

Agreed, we don't know if it is I/JG53 or III/JG53. When did they use the experimental camouflage. Think 4034 was recorded as grey/mottled on the crashed aircraft report.

Agreed, no evidence of red number for 4043 with III/JG53 though it did have a red number and circle whilst with JG77 in 1939.

Interesting photo all the same.

regards

Mark