KITS 11/2020

Cammo schemes are identical for the kit variants in 1/48 and 1/72 scale

Bf 110C flown by Hptm. Horst Liensberger, CO of Stab V.(Z)/LG 1, France, summer 1940

One of three known aircraft flown by Hptm. Liensberger. Camouflage consist of RLM 70, 71 and 65. Originally dark green fuselage sides are overpainted with RLM 65. Individual letter „X“ is in green color assigned to Stab aircraft. Wolf´s head was emblem of heavy fighter element of LG 1. Horst

Liensberger was born in 1909 in Innsbruck, Austria. In 1932 he graduated as Leutnant from Militärakademie in Wiener Neustadt. In first months of war

he commanded 2./ZG 52 (2./JGr 152). In mid April 1940 he took over command of V.(Z)/LG 1 and led his men through Battle of France and most of Battle

of Britain. It is assumed he scored four victories including one French aircraft. He was killed together with his gunner Uffz. Albert Köpge on September

27th over Simmons Field near Hamlins Mill. After forty miles pursuit, often at treetop height, their aircraft was rammed by Hurricane piloted by F/O

Burton of No. 249 Squadron who was also killed.

Bf 110C-1, 3./ZG 1, Grieslinen, Germany, September 1939

Example of Bf 110 from beginning of World War 2 with early style of fuselage cross. Camouflage consist of RLM 70, 71 and 65. Lion´s head is emblem

of I./ZG 1. First commander of the unit was Great War veteran Major Joachim-Friedrich Huth. In February 1940 this position was taken over by legendary Hptm. Wolfgang Falck who led his unit successfully through campaign in Denmark, Norway and France. Falck based on his own initiative started

to work on night fighter tactics. In June 1940 the I./ZG 1 was converted to night fighter unit I./NJG 1. Wolfgang Falck became first Kommodore of

NJG 1. From September 1939 to October 1940 commander of 3./ZG 1 was Legion Condor veteran Oblt. Walter Ehle. He was born in 1912 in Windhoek

(today capital of Namibia) and later became commander of II./NJG 1 awarded with Knight Cross and 39 victories on his tally.

Bf 110D-0, 1./ZG 2, Amines-Glissy, summer 1940

Camouflage of this Messerschmitt consist of RLM 71, 02 and 65. I./ZG 2 used in first months of war Bf 109C and D and under the command of Hptm.

Hannes Gentzen who scored 7 victories during invasion to Poland. From mid 1939 the red hand was symbol of 1. Staffel. Bernburg Hunter (Bernburger

Jäger) was symbol of whole I. Gruppe, linking it to Bernburg base where the unit was established in mid 1939. One of founding members of the unit

was Erich Groth who became Kommodore of ZG 76 in 1941. In February 1940 when I./ZG 2 was getting first Bf 110s, commander of 1./ZG 2 was Legion

Condor veteran Hptm. Armin Ettling. But in May he came back to 109s and took over command of 7./JG 2 „Richthofen“. During Battle of Britain one of

1./ZG 2 commanders Oblt. Gerhard Götz became POW. During bomber escort mission on August 25th his Bf 110C-4 „3M+AH“ was shot down by Spitfires

of Sergeant A.N. Feary of No. 609 Squadron and Flying Officer P.C. Webb of No. 602 Squadron. Aircraft crashed at Creech Barrow near Wareham. Götz

and his gunner Uffz. K. Haupt bailed out. I./ZG 2 was disbanded at the end of September 1940 and 1./ZG 2 was transferred to night fighter duty as 4./

NJG 2.

INFO Eduard - November 2020

eduard

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