Me 262 A-2a photo revisited

[Karoband]

Good Morning,

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....&pictureid=624

This picture has the highest resolution I have found for it so far.

If you enlarge it,

1. Is the camouflage pattern on the fuselage the early RLM 74/75/76 colours?

2. Is there a black werknummer on the rear fuselage below the horizontal stabilizer partially obscured by the wing?

3. Is it fitted with an early style bomb rack?

4. Is there a discernable white ring behind a yellow nose cap?

5. Is there a yellow letter "I" with white surround immediately behind the balkenkreuz?

Does anyone have a better copy of this photograph? I am quite prepared to be dissuaded on any or all of these questions.

Below is possibly another photo of this aircraft.

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....&pictureid=625

best regards,

Jim

[Snautzer]

Only 2 cannons.

[JonOlsen88]

Nice photo Jim! This is an interesting-looking Me 262 A2-a. My guess is that the camo is in the mid-war greys. The bomb racks do look like the early style ETC 503 type. Interesting question about the WNr. I'd love to know too! Like Snautzer mentioned, it has 2 cannons and the upper cannon ports have been faired over. I think you're right about the yellow nose cap with white ring.

A few more interpretations: canopy looks like it might have a thin diagonal line painted on it (presumably red). Some other early Me 262A2a's had this line, notably "9k+YH." Also, the entire rudder is painted in a single light color (RLM 76?). Another Me 262's tail can be seen on the left hand-side and its rudder is painted in the same way and with the same black no-outline hakenkreuz.

Best regards,
Jon

[Karoband]

Hi Jon,

Thanks for confirming the yellow nose cap. That would make it 3.Staffel. I suspect that this is WNr. 170004 9K+IL on delivery in July 1944 but until a better copy of this picture is found that is open to question.

best regards,

Jim