Fw 200 Condor Questions for 1939-40 Profile Layouts

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

I'm trying to lay out the Profile spreadsheets for the EoE Project on the Fw 200 Condor, and I have several questions relating to the set up for this part of the project:

1) I believe that before the end of 1940, these Fw200 subtypes had all operated in a combat role:

Fw 200C-0
Fw 200C-1
Fw 200C-2
Fw 200C-3

From what I read, a few Fw200C-0s operated with I./KG40 during the Scandinavian Campaign beginning in April, 1940. Then the latter re-equipped with the C-1 subtype in late June to early July, 1940. This must have meant that the missions in the Scandinavian theater prior to that date were in the Fw 200C-0, including flying in the operational combat role prior to the end of June. Is that correct?

2) I believe that the Fw200C-3 subtype was in operational use flying combat missions with I./KG40 before the end of 1940. Is that correct?

3) Up to the end of 1940, did the Fw200 ever fly on combat missions with any unit other than than I./KG40?

4) It appears that for the seven primary periods covered by the EoE book series, we will need a profile of a Fw 200C-0 for only 1./KG40 for the Phoney War period (Vol 2) up to 9 May 1940. From then forward, I will need 1 Staffel a/c represented in each volume through the end of 1940. This probably means a total of six profiles.

5) According to deZeng/Stankey, Stab and 2 Staffel were not "formed" until 1 May, but it is unclear to me when these two entities began actually flying combat (recon) missions before the end of May. Once they began ops I presume that they would need to be represented with a/c profiles for each succeeding period to the end of the year. Is this correct? Each of these units would thus have to have either four or five profiles created for the EoE book series.

6) According to the same source, 3 Staffel was "formed" on 1 June, and actually sank a ship on 9 June, so it presumably would need to have profiles for June, 1940 (Vol 4); July-Aug, 1940 (Vol 5); Sept,1940 (Vol 6); and Oct-Dec., 1940 (Vol 7). This would mean four profiles for this unit, if this is correct?

7) Based upon the above we probably need either 16 or 20 Profiles to cover the Fw200 in the book series. I have no idea if there is in fact, sufficient photography to cover creation of profiles of so many different a/c and their stories. I know that we're talking very low numbers of a/c involved in operations during the period, and it may even be absurd to think that it is possible, with available photos and info, to accurately document so many aircraft. That could even be close to the total number of Condors operating during that period, or at least a very significant percentage of those that were.

8) The really big Fw 200 story for 1940 was inflicting serious damage on the passenger transport "Empress of Britain" on October 26, 1940 by the crew of Oblt Bernard Jope, for which he was awarded the Knight's Cross. Not having yet researched this myself, does anyone know if his Condor on that mission is sufficiently documented that an accurate color profile could be created of it?

9) Are there any other noteworthy missions during 1940 (the 9 June first ship sinking?) for which we should specifically attempt to research profiles for the a/c involved? The same question applies to the most important crews or leaders whose aircraft should be focused upon.

10) If anyone out there is an expert on this a/c type and would like to help me confirm the accuracy of our profile template artwork, and identify photos and information to support the color profiles (and history) of the Fw200 and KG40 for the EoE book series, I'd appreciate hearing from you. I have several reference books on the type, probably most that are out there, but I've not yet spent serious research time on the subject.

As always, thanks for your help.

Regards,