3./JG 77 machine: or "A Little Brown Job to start 2014"!

[ouidjat]

This photo: http://www.me109.info/display.php?a=e&fid=7934 , offered in auction few days ago, has been resolved and rightly captioned after comparing the writings on back and Prien’s loss list.
Since it has been taken before the said accident (indeed) and since the man in background (just behind the right wheel) appears to be chest naked the photo has been shot most probably in September - at the beginning of – in a bright sunny day, and in Juliusburg.
Not in October – plane being lost – and not in Oedheim as it is wrongly described in Prien’s Teil 2, page 452.

Rote 5 or Yellow(Braune) 5?. Again, since the number’s colour is darker than the octane triangle background, Prien wrote it’s Red 5 adding that it doesn’t respect the “actual” rules since the number is black outlined instead of white!!! Well well well.
1- As quoted above the picture’s back writings are talking about 3. Staffel.
2- During the same bright sunny period this other plane http://www.me109.info/display.php?a=e&fid=2935 as been shot in Juliusburg and is a true Red 5, number being white outlined, wearing 2.Staffel in white on fin and wearing “civilian stencils” (address and so on …) on fuselage.
You are free to think there was TWO Red 5 at the same time in the same place if you want or, better that one was lost and they repainted another Red … but this is doubtful.
3- Last, cherry on the cake, WNr.1078 http://www.me109.info/display.php?a=e&fid=2939 – the following in the batch – was in 3./JG 77 too, at the beginning of September.

So, it’s not Red 5.

Now: Yellow or Brown?
We have very few exemple of 3./JG 77 machines during this time period. This present “5” (two pictures) The “8” displayed on same JFV Teil 2, page 452 (same story OK?? Not Rote 8) and this one: http://www.me109.info/display.php?a=e&fid=4527
Still in Juliusburg by bright sunny day?? 
Peanuts.
Ah, yes a true but later “Braune 13”: http://www.me109.info/display.php?a=e&fid=4978
I suppose the colour was indicated in RAF report, wasn’t it?

All these machines have a dark tone for the number while the octane triangle is clearer, especially for “5”.
Let’s say Dark yellow, orange, Braune … as you wish. But not Red.

It was my Little Brown Job chronicle to start 2014!!!

Cheers, Franck.