Me 410 B-2/U4, +VP, 6./ZG 26

[George Hopp]

In Action # 147 (Squadron/Signal), p. 38, are a photo of a Me 410 B-2/U4, +VP, of 6./ZG 26.

Checking the profile of p. 26 (left side view: +VP) I found that two of the code letters (i guess are 3U) were overpainted. I'd like to know how code letters should be displayed on the right side of the aircraft: +VP or VP+?

In the case you mentioned above, the 3U+VP would also be in that sequence on the right side of the a/c. See page 45 for what I mean. And, I do believe that the 3U+ was on the left side of the a/c on p. 26, you just cannot see it on this print.

I have been considering why the last 2 letters normally to the right of the Balkan cross would appear ahead of the Balkan cross on both sides of the a/c on a/c that also had the unit code in odd places. I think that these a/c got caught in the changeover back from fighter-type numbers to the normal ZG 3rd and 4th letters. But, since the unit codes were already present, and to save time, they simply substituted the 2 letters for the numbers, and so they ended up ahead of the Balkan cross on both sides of the fuselage. See the lower left photo on page 35 for an example. Also, the painting on the cover is completely inaccurate in its display of the unit markings.

Hope that helps,
George