Q: Wing markings on this Bf 110

[Modeldad]

Don't recall ever seeing them before. I also note that they appear to angle from the leading edge to the trailing wing tip.

This is from an Ed West find. What would we do without him.

[F19Gladiator]

Luftwaffe aircraft were marked with white wing bands during the invasion of Vichy France, 'Case Anton', in November 1942.
This might be the case also with this Bf 110?
Br
Goran

[John Beaman]

I would agree, Goran, as the Fw 190s of II./JG 2 were also marked that way on their eventual way to Tunisia.

[robert]

Hi,

according to photo`s caption it was taken on 12.03.41 in Krommovo in Bulgaria (high likely Bulgaria I didn`t check it) and it was personal plane of Lt.Oldenburg.

Regards

Robert

[Modeldad]

Thank you, but one observation, the wing and fuselage bands appear darker than the white on the cross. Possibly yellow, as perhaps on the nose.

The aircraft appears to be from 5. /ZG26. 3U+JN

Here is the original link:
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=290241049186

http://cgi.ebay.de/Flugzeug-Me-110-m...QQcmdZViewItem

[obdl3945]

Hi...

I think they may be from Operation Marita, Yugoslavia/Greece, 1941. I don't think they're similar to the bands used on Do217s during the takeover of Vichy France, which in any case were white. I do think the bands on this Bf110 are more likely to be yellow.

With regards to Bulgaria, I have certainly seen a colour plate of a Bf109E from Stab, I.Gruppe (J)/LG1 in More Luftwaffe Fighter Aircraft in Profile by Sundin & Bergstom (Schiffer) (and also, I think, in a separate publication, a very good photograph showing good detail - just can't remember the book... !)) shown wearing normal yellow theatre markings, but also including a narrow yellow, forward fuselage band, and narrow, full trailing edge yellow strips - top and bottom surfaces, I believe - as well. It wouldn't surprise me, therefore, that this Bf110 was perhaps from the same time period, April 1941, in Bulgaria, perhaps sporting a slight variation of the painting instruction, which was certainly not an unheard-of practice in the Luftwaffe.

Regards...

[F19Gladiator]

In order to make it easier to follow the discussion I post the two photos here, including the backsides with hand writing:




Br
Goran

[John Vasco]

So it is obviously a variation on the full yellow wingtips seen on a lot of II./ZG 26 Bf 110s during the Balkans campaign of 1941. Note the lack of nicety with applying the yellow fuselage band - straight over part of the fuselage code. Two nice photos, probably go for a lot of dosh.

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi

Here is the loss record:

http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=113611

Regards,
Andreas Brekken

[John Vasco]

W. Nr. 4279 identifies it as a 'D-3' variant.