Lower cowling color on Bretschneider's Fw190A-8/R-8

[Wiggy]

Greetings.

OK, Here we go. Another new guy with a question thats been asked 1000 times.

That being said, I have a question concerning Lt. Klaus Bretschneider's Fw190A-8/R-8 when he flew as Staffelkapitan of 5./JG300. What color was the undercowling on Red 1 "Rauhbautz IV"?

I built one with a Red undercowling. Now, I feel it should be RLM-76.
Interested in your thoughts. :?
Blue skies, Wiggy

[David Brown]

Wiggy:

Checked a number of references concerning your question. Here's the facts:

1. Weal, John "Focke-Wulf FW190 Aces of the Western Front" p.67
RLM 23 (Red) undercowling.

2. Barbas, Bernd "Aircraft of the Luftwaffe Fighter Aces II" p.173
RLM 23 (Red) undercowling

3. Sundin, Claes & Bergstroem, Christer "Luftwaffe Figher Aircraft in
Profile" pp.90-91
RLM 04 (Yellow) undercowling

Where did you get the notion that the undercowling should be RLM 76? Based on these three references, it seems that Bretschneider's FW190A-8
(Werk Number 682204) definitely had a red or yellow undercowling.

Best regards,

[FalkeEins]

David..some evidence the other way..Ernst Schröder 5./JG300 in SAM Feb 2002..
"..I flew Red 19 for four months..it did not have a yellow under cowling..Erhardt's Red 8 did not have a yellow cowling panel..4./JG 300 White 12 did not have a yellow lower cowling ..some II./JG 300 a/c had yellow cowling panels but these were re-manufactured 190s assigned to the Geschwader.."

[David Brown]

I checked out the JG 300 website. I found a color profile plate of Bretschneider's FW 190A-7 "Red 1", March, 1944 5./JG300. The undercowling is RLM 76.
In the autumn, 1944, Bretschneider is flying a FW190A-8 (Werke Number 682204) "Red 1" - the aircraft that is the focus of Wiggy's inquiry. I believe there are 4 b&w photos of 682204.
Three of the photos are taken from aft of the main wing - port side. The underside of the cowling cannot be seen in these the pictures.
With regard to the fourth photo, it was taken forward of the main wing - port side. The underside of the cowling is in the picture, and from a layman's point of view, it does seem to be the same color as the underside - RLM 76. However, I'm not sure if this aircraft is 682204 - the mottling pattern on the front cowling seems to be the same as the others, but I cannot make out any portion of the "Rauhbautz" inscription. Also, the propeller hub seems to differ in white/black proportion -albeit, I'm comparing a prop in motion with one that is static. Anyway, maybe it's just my poor eyesight or the quality of the photos.
At this point in time, I would still go with the experts regarding the yellow or red undercowling.....but, it does make for interesting research.

[Erich]

The March 44 shot is of an A-7/N I believe mit FuG 217 Neptun

Several different Raubautz a/c, one of them with yellow under-engine cowling. Maybe the new JG 300 volumes this year will shed the appropriate light on the topic question..........

E ~

[Artist]

Anyone else have an opinion on this. I am working on a painting with Bretschneider's red 1 Rauhbautz IV in it. I would hate to find out after it's finished that it wasn't red. Bob