Rudels Ju 87 G-2 W.Nr. 494193 markings

[Kari Lumppio]

Hello!

My working theory about the number "17" on the Ju 87 G spat is following:

Cirkus Rudel was commanded to Baltic Front in July 1944 and returned back to Hungary in August 1944. Finnish liaison officer in Luftflotte 1 mentions about the unit and IIRC it consisted of 32 Ju 87s of which only three were "Kanonenvogels".

From the data at http://www.ww2.dk/air/attack/sg2.htm (Michael Holm's site) I have interepreted that the Rudel Commando was in essence III/SG 2. Interesting is that after returning to Hungary III/SG 2 tranfers the remaining Ju 87Gs (all two) to another unit. This another unit most likely is 10.(Pz)/SG 2.

My guess is that the two new planes got running numbers from 10.(Pz)/SG 2. Allocation perhaps taking place already during July - 10th Staffel starts the month with 9 Ju 87D and 6 Ju 87 G so next running numbers would have been 16 and 17. The codes may have been (and remained) as those of III Gruppe Stab ( T6+_D) as they are in the photo.

IIRC on the background on the other photo is flying T6+FD (16?) as pair. Personally I would be much more interested in this pilot&plane (as it is "non-Rudel"). Especially the Stammkennzeichen. Thank You CJE for the photos.


Just my two (Euro)cents,

Kari

[yogybär]

I think there was not only one Kanonenvogel used by Rudel, but several, as these A/C were very much subject to ground fire.

The "Yellow V" below the wing was used starting in Autumn '44 over Hungary, also by units like JG52.

During August '44 (maybe also July), Rudel&parts of SG2 were in Estonia and northern Latvia (?, german Lettland) , but definitely never in Finland. The Stuka-unit which fought in Finland summer 6-8'44 was I/SG 3 within "Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey".

[Kari Lumppio]

Hi!

Yogybär, how do you comprehend term "liaison officer in Luftflotte 1"?

I am fully aware of all you write. The liaision officer mentioned about Cirkus Rudel's activity within Lfl1 (= Estonia, Latvia). If you read carefully I have not written about any operations in Finland. Please do not jump in conclusions too fast.

Regards,

Kari

[piero]

hi all,

following the photographic sources, the documented Rudel's G-2 in the last months of war are the following (in chronological order):

1 - 'T6+AD', with white nr. 17 on the spats

2 - '< - + -', WNr 494193, with yellow fuselage band, underside yellow 'V' and apparently no yellow areas underwing

2 - '< - + -', WNr unknown to me, with the chevron slightly larger, without yellow fuselage band and apparently without yellow underwing areas, but with two small parallele oblique white stripes on the rudder.
With this Kanonenvogel Rudel surrendered at Kitzingen on May 1945.

hope this helps

Piero

[G.R.Morrison]

Originally Posted by piero

2 - '< - + -', WNr unknown to me, with the chevron slightly larger, without yellow fuselage band and apparently without yellow underwing areas, but with two small parallel oblique white stripes on the rudder.
With this Kanonenvogel Rudel surrendered at Kitzingen on May 1945.

Piero, this intentionally 'pranged' Ju 87G-2 was WNr.494110. The WNr. was painted in black rather than white, but is visible in some photos in Jim Crow's collection

Cheers, GRM

[piero]

Many thanks for the precious information,GRM!

Piero

[Mark Proulx]

Photos of the final Rudel Stuka are also published in Wings of the Black Cross Number 3 with associated profile work by Tom Tullis.

HTH

Mark Proulx

[yogybär]

Originally Posted by Kari Lumppio

Hi!

Yogybär, how do you comprehend term "liaison officer in Luftflotte 1"?

I am fully aware of all you write. The liaision officer mentioned about Cirkus Rudel's activity within Lfl1 (= Estonia, Latvia). If you read carefully I have not written about any operations in Finland. Please do not jump in conclusions too fast.

Regards,

Kari

Yes, Kari... I just read "finnish" and off I went to "correct" ...