Seeking info on 1./JGr126 W12+I, & unit penguin insignia on Bf109D-1s circa 11.39

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

"We're just finishing a color profile for the EoE Project of Bf109D-1, White 12+I, of 1./JGr126 that collided with a 2./ZG76 Bf110C-2 at Bönninghardt AF, Germany, on 06.11.39. Does anyone have the name of the pilot of this a/c? He was apparently not injured, but his plane was demolished. We're also seeking the W.Nr. of this Bf109D-1, which does not appear in the LW QM loss reports.

Although not visible in any of the photos that we have of this a/c, we now believe that this a/c carried the unit's "penguin with an umbrella insignia," as photos of other Bf109D-1s from that period did carry them. This is somewhat different in style than the version carried on the unit's Ar68s in 1938, or the 7./ZG26 insignia (successor to 1./JGr126) carried later on the units Bf110s. Does anyone have a good, close-up photo of this insignia on one of the unit's Bf109D-1s from the fall of 1939?

Who can help?

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

[sidney]

Larry,

I have a photo of a Bf109D-1 with the penguin with umbrella emblem. Since the aircraft is photographed in a hangar, it is likely that the photo was taken in the winter time. However, whether that was the winter 1938-39 or 1939-40, is unfortunately not possible to tell. Although the aforementioned photo is not exactly a close up of the emblem, it looks to me that the emblem does not look much different, if different at all, from the version sported on Arado Ar68 aircraft. Based on the limited photographic evidence, it is possible that the emblem design change occurred at the time of the Gruppe's transition to the Bf110 aircraft.

Regards,
Sinisa

[Larry Hickey]

Sidney,

Thanx for responding. Would you be willing to send me a copy of the photo to which you refer? We've since confirmed that the 109D-1s of 7./ZG26 - 1./JGr126 did carry the penguin/umbrella emblem, probaby on both sides of the forward fuselage. Still seeking more photos of additional Bf-109Ds from this unit, and especially the identity of the regular pilot on the 06.11.39 runway collision, and W.Nr. of W12+I written off that day. We've finished our profile of that a/c with the emblem on both sides of the aircraft. The example that we know about is very similar to the one used on the Bf110s of 7./ZG26. We are also doing "White 9+I" for 7./ZG26.

I'm sending you a PM, in hopes that you are willing to provide a copy of your photo.

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

[sidney]

Larry,

Unfortunately my replacement scanner is KO. I have sent you all the low-resolution images of various Bf109D-1 aircraft sporting this insignia that I have in my database.

The high-resolution scan of the original image that I procured on eBay I can send you sometime later if you are still interested upon inspecting the low-resolution scan.

Regards,
Sinisa

[Larry Hickey]

Sinisa,

Thanx. Will follow up by direct email.

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

[ouidjat]

Hi Larry,

That one I guess? I thought it was just for ZG 142 (including these Ar 68 photos Sidney is speaking about). There is a clear D-1 photo, let me check out ...

Regards, Franck.

... Got it!

[F19Gladiator]

Perhaps this photo from eBay taken in a hangar is what Sinisa refers to?

[ChrisS]

Larry,

I have a very poor quality image with a part of an STKZ under the wing ??+Z and another from an eBay auction also without identity or location details.

Best Regards

Chris

[sidney]

Goran, your post No.7 refers - yes, that is the photo in question. It is in a funny miniature format of the period, measuring some 3.3 x 2.3 cm.

[F19Gladiator]

Thanks Sinisa I guessed that was the one. Looks likely the emblem was carried on both sides as we can see photos with emblems on port and starboard sides.