Hauptmann Gustav Rodel's G-4 help please

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hi Guys

Jester
I think what you SHOULD do is to remove the Gruppe markings. None is visible on either side, as confirmed by F19. Nobody, so far, on TOCH is in favour that the aircraft is from JG 27, so I think you should take at least half a step back on that issue...

F19. Thanks for checking. What I THINK the P-40/Kittyhawk shows is the code CV, which was 3 Sq RAAF, which operated in the desert at the time.
Of course I have no unit movement for this Sq and cannot straight away state where they were based at all times in North Africa and if they continued to operate in Italy or not. Somehow it feels likely they did since I believe the Desert Air Force continued its job all the way

Anyone else who can pin-point this Oz unit's bases in WW 2?

You can always send an e-mail to me on hagel.jarlevik@bredband.net
(anyone else too if they feel like it.. )

Cheers
Stig

[Jesters-Ink]

It's ok Stig the PSD on my HD is already fixed with no unit badge and one or two others too.
I'll update the image here as soon as more details are known about the pilot, base, works number and date.

Other examples of artwork can be found here

[F19Gladiator]

Change of direction regarding the P-40 in the background.......it could be "CV" and not "CY" on the pic why it would match with No 3 RAAF Squadron, which fought both in Libya, Sicily and Italy as far as I can find out via the web.

[F19Gladiator]

Hi,

I haven’t given up on this riddle yet -The true identity of this Bf 109.

Going through old books I found this image published in “German Aircraft Markings 1939-1945” by K.A. Merrick, Ian Allan, 1977.
The three aircraft visible at the same photo might assist in where and when the photo was taken.
(In the photo caption it is mentioned that this photo was taken at Catania.)

Aircraft 1. Bf 109 <<<4+
Aircraft 2. Ju 88A-4(?) L1+EH from 1./LG1. “White E”, with partly black camouflage.
Aircraft 3. P-40 marked “CV” which indicates No 3 RAAF Squadron
"CV" would match with No 3 RAAF Squadron, which fought both in Libya, Sicily and Italy as far as I can find out.

(Not to be misled by the Ju 88 L1+EH, I noted there is a photo of another Ju 88 with this very same identity published on P. 326 in “Luftwaffe Camouflage and Markings Vol Two, K.A. Merrick, 2005, Classic Colours.
According to it’s caption this other Ju 88 A “crashed in the Libyan desert in December 1941” and shows a camouflage void of black camouflage paint. )

Seems as if Mr. Merrick is sitting on several photos of this Bf 109 since he has published different photos in his books in 1977 as well as in 2005.

[stefaan]

Hi Guys.
I think this is the left sided one you are talking about.
The chap I got it from was 12 sqdn SAAF and on the back it says a date that was late 1942.
In the back is a Ju 88.
This chap did not go across to Sicily so it places it in the WD.
Hope it helps
PS.I have 2 ammo rounds from this plane and the oil filler cap from the Ju 88.

[F19Gladiator]

Hi Steefan,
Thank you! Yes this is the same aircraft. Interesting info about location.

Is there an exact date on the back side?

Looks as if the WNr can be seen on the fin. Perhaps readable on the original?


Cheers
Goran

[stefaan]

Hi.
I am incliding a photo of the fin that I scanned at 1600 dpi to blow up and see.
As you see there is no werkno.
On the caption on the Bullets and cap mount it says ? Mersah Metruh area. No date anywhere.
Sorry.
If you can tell me near which LG was Metruh I may get it on my map and relate it to the 12 sqdn bases.

[robert]

Hi Stefaan,

I think there is a number written in black.

Regards

Robert

[stefaan]

Nope.
It is just a line.Looks like it may have been cut out.
That is when I blow my shot up 200% at 1600dpi.
Stefaan

[F19Gladiator]

Thank you for posting the photo and enlargement Stefaan!

A pity we could not find the WNr as that would have been terrific info!

Can you see from the photo to which frame segment the radio antenna is joining the fuselage? (G-2 alt. G-4 version)

Is it possible to post a larger picture? Perhaps via a URL to a photo host site like "Photo Bucket" or similar. (The thumb nail attachments does not allow larger quality photo postings due to Kb restrictions)

Your info on "near Mersah Metruh" and end of 1942 supports the earlier postings here claiming it was actually taken in N. Africa and not Sicily.

Regarding 12 Sq; It was a bomber (Martin Maryland Squadron), Right???

I did some checking earlier on bases which could be possible due to the aircraft visible as we have one Bf 109 G (JG 77??), a P-40 of 3 Sq RAAF and a LG 1 JU 88. One problem is that in the tumult during the retreat/advance, aircraft from units might well have ended up in other fields than their designated ones, as well as passing through or short time stays at dispersed fields. I did not come to a definite conclusion why I have not posted anything yet from that end. Will continue to search......

I posted the photo with the Ju 88 from LG 1, L1+EH, hoping someone had data on where it was written off, helping identifying the airfield - Now possibly in the Mersah Metruh area.
No W.Nr on that one either unfortunately.
Anyone who knows more about this Ju 88?

Cheers,
Goran