Junkers Ju290A-7

[obdl3945]

Hi...

Attached is a photo of a Ju290A-7. It came from e-bay a long time back and allegedly shows 9V+IH, from 1.Staffel/Fernaufklärungsgruppe 5 which operated from Mont de Marsan in France.

Barry Rosch's Luftwaffe Codes, Markings & Units, 1939-1945 (Schiffer) does list this machine as an A-7 on the strength of this unit but I seem to remember reading somewhere that the A-7 was not used operationally by FAGr5, or was at best used to a limited extent. Rosch also details other A-7s: 9V+HH, also from 1.Staffel, and 9V+GK, KK and MK from 2.Staffel.

I would be obliged if anyone could confirm the identify of the machine in the photo, and/or provide confirmation/information of any of the other above-mentioned aircraft, particularly the size and dimension of the fuselage codes, whether or not they were all black or if the aircraft letter was coloured in the Staffel colour, and if any of them carried the 'sailing ship' insignia of the unit. On the last point, any indication of the background colour to the insignia would also be appreciated. I have some hunches as to some of the information I've asked for, but as this is for a model I'm building, it would be great to get any confirmation of some of the finer points from an accuracy point of view.

Thanks in advance...

Paul