Fw190A "03+11"

[ChristianK]

Gentlemen,

I found this pic and another one of the same bird in Edward Shacklady's "Butcher Bird" (Cerberus, 2003). Unfortunately the Werknummer isn't readable, but this one is without a doubt an A-2 or A-3 variant. Is there anything to say about the service life of this Fw 190? If I recall correctly, the "03" fuselage code belonged to some particular research and test department of E-Stelle Rechlin. Any thoughts?

Cheers,
Christian

[Dennis Peschier]

Christian

In Crashed Enemy Aircraft Report 260 it is mentioned that Fw190A-8/R6 170 342 was captured at Fl.Pl.Cravant on 18-10-1944. It is recorder with fuselage code 03+42.

03+11 could then be 0120311. This A-2 arrived at Auxerre repair facility on 12-4-1943, left 6-11-1943 and returned on 26-1-1944. I have no trace of it afterwards.

Your photograph seems to have been made while it was at the repair facility.

Hope this helps,

Dennis

[ChristianK]

Thank you Dennis,

this helps very much indeed. It seems I just learned a new variant of Werknummer application. Maybe this even was a special habit of exactly this repair facility in Auxerre you mentioned. The scenery on the photos of this plane didn't look like Rechlin anyway. On the other photo you can see an armed guard right in front of the hangars. Looks like an airfield in an occupied country to me.

Thanks again,
Christian

[Milos Gazdic]

The photos mentioned by Christian in "Butcher Bird" (Cerberus, 2003) on pages 78 & 142 are quite clear & sharp. Author states it's an A-4 although it's clear that it belongs to earlier types (probably A-3 with deleted outerwing armament).
As I can see on the page 78 - there is really an armed guard on the edge of the photo. Person in civilian clothes is next to him though that leather coat looks a bit intimidating.
On page 142 tail is not in the frame & on page 78 it's partially hidden behind the hat of the "civil" though last two digits look like ...00 (or some other round digits). A magnifying glass would help especially on the original photo.