Photos + 7-3-05

[Larry Hickey]

Responding to Robert's comments about the III./JG 3 aircraft with the nickname "Peterle" on the cowling, I think based on the spacing for the plane number it is much more likely to be "White 1," rather than "White 5." Moreover, there is a photo of a "White 5" in on of Prien's Volumes for the FC that clearly isn't this a/c. Neuerburg was the 7./JG 3 St Kap during the entire time this photo was probably current for its markings, and he very likely flew a "White 1." There is also the possibility that this could be an a/c of 8./JG 3, although, to my knowledge, none have been published for the spring/summer 1940 period showing girl's nicknames on the cowlings, as was obviously done in 7./JG 3. We do know that this was also done on one a/c of 9./JG 3, "Erika" (Yellow 5), which was crash-landed by Oblt. Troha in England during the Battle of Britain, although the absense of the 9 Staffel's seahorse emblem would probably indicate that this was not a 9 Staffel a/c.

Cheers,

Larry Hickey