Luftwaffe aircraft panel - Help with identification...!!!

[Max Wünsche]

Hello,

I recently acquired this aircraft panel/door for my collection which was described as being from an open cockpit type aircraft which I assume is due to the padding to the top curved edge.

The markings appear to be a of a palm tree over a swastika although it is a somewhat fatter palm tree than what you usually see depicted as Afrika Korps insignia.

I have am looking for anyone who might be able to assist in identifying which aircraft it could be from, even if it is not German specifically it could be Italian or some other such aircraft pressed into service with the Luftwaffe.

I will let the pictures do the talking and hopefully there are some people here who may be able to assist.

[taitbb]

I strongly suspect it is a vehicle door, not an aircraft door.

I would really try and have that painting authenticated in someway. Unfortunately forgeries abound.

[Revi16]

Most likely some type of vehicle door.

[edwest2]

It does not appear to be a vehicle door. Perhaps a panel from some type of vehicle. The painting is most unusual and forgeries do abound. My suggestion is that it may be from a schwimmwagen.




Ed

[Max Wünsche]

Thankyou for the comments thus far.

I have had quite a few responses elsewhere stating that they too believe it to be from a vehicle, so I am inclined to think the same.

I do realise that fakery of WWII aircraft parts in particular with insignia is rife as is any area of collecting where money is to be made unfortunately.

The Schwimmwagen did not have doors, so I rule that out as well as the Kubelwagen shown as the doors are completely different.

I can only think that a non-standard vehicle may have been drafted into service such as a French citroen etc... Either that or it is a ground up bogus piece intended to deceive.

Thanks again for you comments...!!!

[Snautzer]

It is a suicide door which narrows it somewhat not vw not horch or steyer

[taitbb]

My thought us either a small open topped car, or a small door panel on something like an sdkf7.

[Snautzer]

Armrest padding what material in it? A bit luxorious for arrmy car.
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[taitbb]

As surmised, possibly a civvie pressed into military service. It almost certainly is not any of the standard werhmacht military grade vehicles.

What bothers me, is the tan cammo does not appear go to the edge, and where the car door handle would go, is painted with cammo (would it not be blank, leaving the shape of the door handle...likely oval). Also, the swastika's arms are of uneven length, like the artist tried to make it fit onto the door. Just my observations.

[Max Wünsche]

The padding is horse hair which was common.

I have looked at open top civilian vehicles pressed into military service such as a squadron run-about vehicle, and yet I have found no French, Italian or other vehicle as yet that has a door that matches up with this.

A hard one to research for sure!