2 small questions about Stammkenzeichen

[vinnie]

Hello to all,

I would like to know more about the system of the Kennung or Stammkenzeichen on German warbirds during WWII.
My question might sounds stupid, but: is there a logical system in giving digit codes to aircraft?
For example: in May 1943 about 8 brand new Bf-109's were delivered to 8./JG 1 (the Staffel was just reorganized and started with new planes). Were they numbered from 1 to 8 or was there another system used?

Second question: when an aircraft was lost, did they instantly repaint another aircraft with that digit? For example, Me-109 G6 Werknr. 15645 black 2 was lost on 12 August 1943. How quick (in general) was another aircraft repainted with Kennung black 2 after the loss of G-6 15645?

Thank you very much!

[Khorat]

Hi Vinnie,

a Stammkennzeichen was given at the manufactures side (for example: WZ+IK),
so if had a serial no ended with 1 had WZ+IA - 2 had WZ+IB and so on,
the marking like black 2 was given at the unit side and it could happen that a black 2 lost in the morning and in the afternoon another black 2 was ready to fly.

khorat

[vinnie]

Hi Khorat, thanks for the explanation! It seems that I mixed a few things up
The Stammkenzeichen is factory issued and the kennung could be anything, based on the needs of a unit.

Is there a database where you can find the specific Stammkenzeichen for a certain Messerschmitt Bf-109 Werknummer?

[ianatheling]

Hi Vinne

I am sure that several experts have databases that attempt to give full details on just about every Bf109 to have appeared. Hopefully one of these will reply here. There are several databases available to the public. None of these are without error or uncertainty. The best is probably http://www.stammkennzeichen.de/. But you should be aware that information on aircraft with stkz is most accurate with non-frontline aircraft, which carried the stkz on the fuselage. Bf109's rarely carried stkz on the fuselge. Instead they would have tactical/unit codes.

Ian

[vinnie]

Thanks, Ian! I did receive help from forum members, so I now have to check these databases to find the information I need.