Bf 109 Malta

[Chris Goss]

Sorting out some recently bequeathed photos, I came across this. I have seen it before but to save me time, can anyone give me details?

[kaki3152]

Hptm Gunther Hannak, Bf109G-6, 18046, GP+12, lost on May 5,1943 due to engine failure-Obermaier

[Chris Goss]

What was his unit?

[Pegasus123]

Staffelkapitän of 7./JG 27, force landed at Luqa/Malta due to engine failure on a reconnaissance flight, POW, survived the war. 47 air victories, see J. Prien.

[Jim P.]

'GP+12' - no, rather a full SKZ 'GP+IZ'.

[RolandF]

The StKz is applied with washable paint in the works. The white tailband was painted much later when the theatre of destination was clear. Thus only the placeholder of the StKz can be recognized. The opposite fuselage side would show GP+.
Obviously there was no time to apply a tactical number - thus a factory-fresh Bf109G-6.

Regards
RolandF

[sirbob]

Very interesting point for modellers, Roland. So the StKz on the theatre band would be in the underlying cammouflage colours and not black.

[RolandF]

Originally Posted by sirbob

So the StKz on the theatre band would be in the underlying cammouflage colours and not black.

Yes. The ground crews used aviation fuel as solvent to remove the StKz. In case too little solvent was used the letters appeared as smudged areas, too much fuel caused the camo colours, especially the mottling, partially to dissolve. In any case the camo colours beneath the StKz did not undergo bleaching and weathering.. That´s the reason because StKz may be visible even after removal.

Regards
RolandF

[rfl51]

Another picture of same aircraft:

[cproyston]

There's another example of this "ghost" Stkz. on Schwarze 8+E?, also (from the hills in the background) at the same location (although Marc's images have it as at Comiso, not Luqa):

https://www.flickr.com/photos/280920...7631642891437/

Perhaps also same unit, same time frame?

Cheers,
Chris