A Reference Tool for Skinners: Luftwaffe Defense Bands

[JG7_X-Man]

Just figured I post this for those that would like to update/create new work since we have tactical codes now:

 

 

I can't think you all enough for your hard work - thank you for sharing your art with us!

[jollyjack]

And here you can find some ideas for captured ones:

https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-109G/Captured.html

[LukeFF]

On 1/18/2023 at 7:57 AM, JG7_X-Man said:

Just figured I post this for those that would like to update/create new work since we have tactical codes now:

 

 

I can't think you all enough for your hard work - thank you for sharing your art with us!

 

It's a good reference, but those bands were not used uniformly. For instance, JG 51 and JG 52 never used such bands, and last I checked, JG 6 didn't either (see, for instance, the debate around Barkhorn's Dora-9). Additionally, in JG 54, those bands weren't used after converting to the Dora-9.

[JG7_X-Man]

@LukeFF That is a true statement! The idea was to post it if there were a doubt on what band was used or using them in non historic manner.

to add to your list, III./JG 26's 109s were said not to have used them where the Stab/I/II groups flying 190As and 190Ds almost all did.

 

That said,  I am from the school of thought that just because we have not seen any pictures of III./JG 26's 109s not using them doesn't mean that they didn't use them. The fact the Josef "Pips" Priller the Gruppenkommandeur of JG 26 was tapped as the Inspector of Day Fighters (West), tells me he did things by the book and ran a tight ship. So if most Stab/I/II groups flying 190As and 190Ds sported the Reich Defense Band, I am willing to bet the some of the 109s had them at some point be it a few of them.