bf 109 yellow spinner orange/yellow checkerboard nose

[harrison987]

Hi Graham!

Whether or not they had them in August 1944, I am not 100% sure. They had them until at least June-July 1944 before they were removed.

Mike

[blythsco]

Well the mission was flown on the 24th not the 22nd. I have his pilots log and the mission lasted 6 hours. Targets that day were "Freital, Ruhland, Brux, Plauen, Kothen A/Fs; Lonnewitz, Preytzch". Thanks for all the help. I hope it wasn't a P-51 trying to shoot him down! He tells me it was definitely a 109 and not a 190. He had very good eye sight but he is colorblind.

[harrison987]

If he is 100% it was not Fw190, then it for sure was not 109. no 109 had a checkerboard nose

ould have been a yellow cowl...but for sure not checkered.

mike

[Graham Boak]

Not yet identified, at least. I don't think we should be too definite, as there probably are surprises yet to be found, or indeed goodies lost forever.

[harrison987]

I cannot remember the reason the Fw190's removed the checkerboard...could have been to new regulations so the 190 was not mis-ID'd as a P-51.

When it came to markings, the Germans were fairly strict strict on what markings went where. Certain provisions were given to having a coloured (yellow) nose, nose band, oil cooler, etc. Some bands were wide...some thin...some noses not completely painted at all...slightly different placement, etc.

Colouring on the nose was for tactical reasons, and no Jagbgeschwader I know of had a checkerboard tactical markings on the nose of a 109.

The Me109 did have a very basic checkerboard on the tail...red/back (I./KG (J) 1), Blue/White, etc., but never...ever on the nose.

Of course, we do not have photos of all planes ever flown, but having a checkerboard is a fairly good impossibility.

Evading something chasing you, when you are unarmed suggests the Spitfire pilot was making a run for it fairly quickly. Mis-ID would could have for sure taken place...you don't really have time to examine who is chasing you.

My bet is still P-51 or Fw190...based on what I know of the 109, it could be ruled out entirely.

[O.Menu]

Originally Posted by harrison987

Hi Graham,

Cherboards were used in 1944, not early-war .

JG1 was famous for having the checkerboard nose in 1944. Mike

Hm, as far as i know JG1 use checkerboard nose in 1943 only...

[harrison987]

Hi O.Menu,


Ah yes!!!


The checkboard on the cowl began in 1943...but it did last until early 1944 (I think only January)...they then changed back to the striped cowl, as Flak Units could not tell between the P-47 and the Fw190...then the stripes were removed in mid-late 1944 .


So if this aircraft 100% had a checkered cowl...it was for sure a P-51, P-47, or similar. Striped cowl, then maybe Fw190...but no way a Fw190 or Me109 would have had the checkrboard!


Sounds like a mis-ID of a P-51...


mike

[O.Menu]

Find here a resume done mostly from Erik Mombeeck sources:

[RolandF]

Love those overviews, Olivier - very comprehensive and informative (hope they will be available for the common crowd some day )

Having read Merrick´s compendium I remember the reason for discarding the checkerboards was the danger of the 190s being mistaken for USAAF fighters. I think Merrick even mentions "certain events"

Regards

Roland