Bf109 G2 WNr 14977, Oberleutnant Gunther Rall 8./JG52, Soldatskaya, September 1942.

[SR603-Flowbee]

Thanks go to BlackHellHound for his template and Claes Sundin for another brilliant profile.

 

On the evening of November 28, 1941, Rall was airborne over Rostov, providing fighter cover for German ground troops who were faced with the first onslaught of the Soviet winter offensive. Rall had just managed to down his 36th enemy aircraft and was occupied watching the burning  enemy aircraft, when suddenly he was bounced by a second Soviet fighter. A few minutes later, Rall lay on the ground, his Messerschmitt 109 crashed, and his spinal column broken in three places. For quite a time he was totally paralyzed. "You won't be able to fly again", was his doctor's verdict.

Nine months later, Rall was back in the cockpit of a Messerschmitt 109! In the Bf109 G-2 pictured here, he flew over the Caucasus and shot down 60 Soviet aircraft in three months. He survived the war, with 275 confirmed victories to his credit, the third most successful fighter pilot of all time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://mega.nz/file/80VnjKAS#bncGS5klKBiYK5mRi9l06vgjToXg_dnKYhsdKgOI-uw

Edited May 21, 2021 by SR603-Flowbee

[Luger1969]

One of my all time favourites, really well done and the white outline of the numbering is special...beautifull screenshots.

[Madcop]

56 minutes ago, Luger1969 said:

One of my all time favourites, really well done and the white outline of the numbering is special...beautifull screenshots.

 

Could it be that Flowbee was a little tired ?...or just his eyesight...? Looked at # pics of this well known aircraft and Sundin is O.K.

Good job anyway.

Thanks

[JG_deserteagle540]

Very very nice!

 

The most successful pilot is Erich Hartmann with 352 victories confirmed. In reality it will be a bit more than 352 victories...............

[itsbillyfrazier]

Looks like I'm all out of reactions today thanks to some funny posts on Jason's latest guessing game!

 

The skin looks great as usual Flowbee!

 

Many thanks!

[SARFlytitus]

@SR603-Flowbee DAMN !!! Me too,  I'm out of reactions ?. Nonetheless, thanx M8 for another gorgeous skin !

[SR603-Flowbee]

No worries, I’m always running out of likes as well. We need more allocation actually as encouragement for people’s freely given time is what keeps the taps flowing and makes the forums a good place to visit. I hate running out and don’t always come back to the same places. It is good of those that do leave feedback and it can also be a good direction pointer. A positive reply is above and beyond. So thanks for those and hopefully I will improve and earn them. ?

5 hours ago, JG_deserteagle540 said:

Very very nice!

 

The most successful pilot is Erich Hartmann with 352 victories confirmed. In reality it will be a bit more than 352 victories...............

Yeah, I actually had to look up who came in second place. Gerhard Barkhorn with 301. I think he was killed with his wife in a car crash in 1983. Incredible on both counts. Another JG52 pilot. And, (after looking into that cockpit glass thing for you), I might do a skin for his aircraft. Photos and profiles always welcome.

[SR603-Flowbee]

I think his ability at deciphering old B/W period photos and then turning them into amazing looking profile paintings is unrivalled. I try and follow in his footsteps so that I can bring his artwork into the game where I can see the models in 3D and even get to fly them. However, even with his pictures as a guide I don’t find it easy and learning how is a long slow process. I only have a few of his profile books but I can vouch for their quality. The paper, inks and presentation are all top notch.

[JG_deserteagle540]

I read the book of Erich Hartmann. Very interesting. One third the book is about his years in prison in Siberia.

 

Gerhard Barkhorn, yes another interesting candidate for a nice skin. I have to go through 60Gb of WW2 books, but for sure there must be some information about him. It will take some time however.

 

 

 

[Luger1969]

This was my profile pic for a longtime. Gerd Barkhorn. As a young boy this photo captivated me...something abt the look on the pilots face. I knew he could be only 1 of 5 but I could not id him...long before internet. He crashed one of the prototype harriers...apparently when he got out from the crash he said...302. A great leader of men also.

 

My current pic is Brian Lane. Something also of this photo. Previously Hub Zemke. Also something abt the photo and lastly Robin Olds. The photos capture something that I value. Btw all great leaders when their countries needed them. Btw my biggest hero is my son. Type 1 diabetic from age 13...dreams of being a pilot dashed...but is so inspirational, living with challenges... and a great simulation pilot especially FSX?

Edited May 22, 2021 by Luger1969

[SR603-Flowbee]

2 hours ago, Luger1969 said:

He crashed one of the prototype harriers...apparently when he got out from the crash he said...302.

Hard to top that...   ?

[Cybermat47]

Interesting article about how Rall ended up being invited to a Jewish get-together in 1948: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2004/dec/30/1

[JG_deserteagle540]

Some pictures of Gerhard Barkhorn in his FW190D9

[esk_pedja]

Leader "<" and rest of marks, is much thicker on original photo than on published plane profile...

It's very "slippery" ground, chasing realism in marking and cammo...

 

[JG_deserteagle540]

Some pictures of Gerhard Barkhorn while in JG52.

 

 

[SR603-Flowbee]

Excellent photos and profiles. Good find!