Colour of Wekusta code (individual letter)

[Bf 110]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for the colour of the individual letter in code from Wekusta 1 (B7+?A) and Wekusta 76 (5Z+?A)?

thanking you in anticipation

Regards,
Bf 110

[John Vasco]

In a normal unit code, if the fourth character is 'A', that indicates Geschwaderstab, and so the third character would normally be blue. However, I cannot say whether Wekusta units followed this exactly.

[Nick Beale]

In a stand-alone Staffel I'd guess black, at least in Westas that used a three-character code (e.g. Westa 26 used 5M+A etc.)

[Bf 110]

Hello,

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

at least in Westas that used a three-character code (e.g. Westa 26 used 5M+A etc.)

How they distinguished single aircraft with only three characters? I'm asking, because M. Emmerling states in his book Luftwaffe nad Polska, part 2, pages 42 and 58 the code of a He111J of Wekusta 1 with B7+BA.

Bf 110

[Peter D Evans]

"Luftwaffe Codes, Markings and Units 1939-45" by B.Rosch [Schiffer, 1995] has a photo of a Ju88D serving with Wekusta1/Luftflotte 1 finished in standard 70-71-65 scheme and coded B7+GA (White G) whilst all the codes listed with Wekusta 26 are, as described by Nick, all three letter all black codes.

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

[Peter D Evans]

To elaborate further (and confirm Nick's comments above) "Wekusta, Luftwaffe Meteorological Reconnaissance Units & Operations 1938-45" by J.A.Kington & F.Selinger [Flight Recorder Publications, 2006] has a colour profile of a Ju88D-1 coded 5M+B of Wekusta 26 who's caption says:

"Additionally, as there was only one Staffel in the unit, there was no need for a fourth aircraft code letter."

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

[John Vasco]

Originally Posted by Bf 110

Hello,



How they distinguished single aircraft with only three characters? I'm asking, because M. Emmerling states in his book Luftwaffe nad Polska, part 2, pages 42 and 58 the code of a He111J of Wekusta 1 with B7+BA.

Bf 110

To clarify for you, confirming what Peter has posted above, here's a photo of a Wekusta 26 Bf 110 coded 5M+R

[obdl3945]

Hi...

A quick look through Rosch's Luftwaffe Codes, Markings & Units... shows that Wekusta 26, at least, frequently appears to have used machines with only three code letters.

This is only my opinion, but given that the unit designation informs us that it was considered as simply a Staffel, it almost seems as though the Staffel in this case was uncharacteristically comprised of a possible maximum of twenty-six machines, all of which could be easily identified by using the majority of the letters in the alphabet, without any particular need to have them bundled into the 'standard' batches, as this would likely have resulted in the creation of several Gruppen and presumably, the redesignation to Weku.Gr, or something similar. Any replacement for lost or damaged machines could have been re-allocated the I/D letter of the lost/damaged aircraft. Several Ju88Ds were coded 5M+B, C, D etc through to H, and beyond.

Only a theory, though... perhaps someone may have an idea as to how many aircraft were generally on the strength of this unit. That might be a starting point to prove or disprove the theory.

Paul

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by obdl3945

Hi...

A quick look through Rosch's Luftwaffe Codes, Markings & Units... shows that Wekusta 26, at least, frequently appears to have used machines with only three code letters.
Paul

We gave several examples in "Air War Italy 1944–45": including Ju 88 T-1, W.Nr.430910, 5M+D and Ju 88 A-4, W.Nr. 550435, 5M+G.

As to how they managed with three characters — I guess the same way that RAF and USAAF squadrons did.

[obdl3945]

Peter,

Sorry, I read your first posting, and seem to have missed the second one for some reason... 'trigger-happy' with the old mouse, I dare say!

You mentioned this...

"Additionally, as there was only one Staffel in the unit, there was no need for a fourth aircraft code letter."

... from one of your sources. I think, effectively, that was the point I too was trying to make. At least I was heading in the right direction... .

Paul