In Action 1002
Luftwaffe in Action 2 (2)
The same aircraft, P2+LL, in winter camouflage. The aircraft in the background is a Focke Wulf FW 189, designed to replace the Hs 126, but both types operated side-by-side until the breakdown of the Luftwaffe's supply system.
An Hs 126 tied down to the runway and covered with canvas for protection against the wind. A Ju87D-3 roars overhead and a He 111 bomber can be seen behind the landing gear of the Henschel.
Henschel Hs 126B-1 3./(H)/21 3. Staffel Heeres Nah-Aufklarer (Army Reconnaissance)
A pair of Hs 126B-1's wait at a repair depot before being returned to the front for more action. The thin white diagonal lines seen on the fuselage sides of these and most other Hs 126s were painted there to aid the observer in lining up his camera with the subjects to be photographed.
The Eastern border of Germany, August, 1939, on the eve of the invasion of Poland; a Staffel of Hs 126 reconnaissance planes lie hidden under the tree line adjacent to a grassy field that will be used for a runway.
The large size of this single engined aircraft is apparent in this photo. The Luftwaffe mechanic stands upright under the belly, flanked on either side by the landing gear struts.
Henschel Hs 126 at work. This splendid photo shows the observer half way out of his cockpit with his camera. The peaceful countryside below is East Prussia, as this photo was shot on a training mission over Germany.
A winter camouflaged Hs 126 heads for its home base after a mission over Soviet positions. The small device under the tail behind the tail wheel is a glider towing attachment. The Hs 126 was powerful enough to tow a fully laden DFS 230 glider or an empty Gotha Go 242 glider.
All set to go! The observer climbs up into the rear cockpit with his parachute straps dangling behind him. This small, compact parachute pack was only two-thirds the size of the type used by paratroopers.
With the forward canopy closed and the engine roaring, the big plane turns into the wind for its takeoff.
Mechanics swarm over the engine of this Hs 126B-1 of 3 Staffel, Army Co operation Group 21, Eastern Front, fall, 1941.
Another view of the same Staffel of Hs 126s. Interesting to note is the rearing white horse Staffel insignia on the aircraft, directly beneath the cabane struts.
As one of the ground crew warms up the engine of this Hs 126, the pilot and observer are helped into their parachutes prior to takeoff.
Winter operations. An Hs 126B-1 of 3/Army Co-operation Group 21 taxis on the icy runway with its flaps down after returning from a mission over Soviet positions.
The observer checks the tools of his trade - maps, charts, camera, lenses, extra film, and extra ammunition for the rear-firing MG15 machine gun.
Holding the camera, the observer poses for the photographer while the pilot cranes his neck around to see what is delaying the takeoff.
Battle damage. The tail of this Hs 126 was struck by large fragments when a 76mm Soviet anti-aircraft shell detonated under the horizontal stabilizer.
An aircraft that did not participate in the Polish campaign or any other Training accident in Germany, 1938.
A downed Hs 126 in the Libyan desert. The aircraft is a member of 2 Staffel, Army Co-operation Group 14 and has been camouflaged by adding tan paint to the original green upper surfaces.
A very interesting photo of a Ju 52 transport towing a Go 242 across the snow-covered Russian steppes during airlift operations on the Southern Russian Front in 1942.
A very interesting photo of a Ju 52 transport towing a Go 242 across the snow-covered Russian steppes during airlift operations on the Southern Russian Front in 1942.
"White Ten", a Go 242A-1 awaiting takeoff from an airfield in Southern Russia. The Ju 87D aircraft in the background were used as glider tugs for both Go 242 and DFS 230 gliders.
Another photo of the new C3/U1. The large size of the FW 200 is worth noting by comparision with the ground crew. The Ju 88's in the background are part of KG40's medium bomber Gruppe.
The nose of an Me 210A-2 showing the forward firing 20mm MG151 's (outboard) and the two MG17 machine guns. Also visible are the four underwing bomb attachment points.
The starboard side of an Me 210A-1. Note how one quarter of each prop spinner has been overpainted with white paint in a rather haphazard manner.
Me 210A-1 2H+DA.Note how the canopy entrance hatches hinged upward on the canopy centerline. In an emergency, the entire canopy could be jettisoned for quick exits.
View from the tail showing the bulging canopy and the flat optical panels for sighting the rear-firing MG131's.
2H+AA was the squadron commander's aircraft and was flown on only two occasions - once for these photographs, and the second time, on a combat mission, however before the enemy was contacted, the aircraft went into a spin from which the pilot never recovered.
The remote-controlled FDL MG131 machine guns with 450 r.p.g.
Refitting the camera of the Me 210 Reconnaissance Aircraft. Note the cartridge chute under the MG131 housing.
A Me 210 of Test Squadron 210 moves out to the runway, Holland, fall, 1942
2H+DA, showing the starboard side and the generator plugged into the battery attachment point for recharging the batteries.
A Me 210A-1. Note the absence of the underwing bomb attachment points; the one main difference between the Me 210A-1 and A-2 variants.
Maintenance in the cockpit. The rear seat has been removed and is lying on the wing
A mechanic warms up the starboard engine of this Me 210. The rear canopy hatch has been closed in this photo.
Warming up the 12 cylinder Daimler-Benz engines
2H+DA on the runway at Soesterburg airfield in Holland. Versuchstaffel 210 was formed to develop combat tactics for the Me 210 and to give it its operational break-in.
Me210V-4 стал первым в серии прототипов, получившим полный комплект стрелково-пушечного вооружения и в частности дистанционные установки FDL131, оснащенные мощными крупнокалиберными пулеметами MG131.
Maintenance on the remote control equipment. The gun, a 13mm MG131, is seen to advantage with the teardrop-shaped fairing removed.
Looking into the front cockpit of an Me 210. The control column and the Revi reflector gun sight are plainly visible.
The rear cockpit of the Me 210 showing the sighting mechanism and the remote control firing equipment for the rear-firing machine guns.
Messerschmitt Me 410A-3 2.(F)/122 2. Staffel Fernaufklarer / 122
A Gotha with a unique sharkmouth design being loaded in Sicily before a flight to Tunisia. The Luftwaffe officer in the foreground is wearing his summer khaki uniform, white hat cover, and footgear that are most appropriate, but do not seem to be Wehrmacht or Luftwaffe issue.
KM+IO, a Go 242A-1 bearing dark and medium grey uppersurfaces and medium grey mottle over the grey-green RLM Grey 02 sides
VC+OI, disgorging a dark grey Kubelwagen. Note the large "V" marking on the Kubelwagen, as well as on the truck in the background of the photo.
A rare photograph, not so much of the Go 242 on the ground, but for the Heinkel He 111Z towplane flying over. Very few photos of the He 111Z in flight are known to exist or have been published before.
Another shot of 'White Ten" before takeoff. The colorscheme appears to be splotches of tan applied directly over the dark green base color of the glider.
The He 111Z towplane as it tows two Go 242's in tandem. The He 111Z was comprised of two He 111 twin-engined bombers, plus a fifth engine mounted between the fuselage.
A Gotha Go 242A-1 cargo glider coded VC+OI, being towed across the Mediterranean.
Unloading a Go 242A-1 coded KE OC. The rear of the glider was held in place by hinges on the top of the fuselage that allowed the rear to be swung upward for loading and unloading.
An ex-Lufthansa FW 200 V2 pressed into service as a Luftwaffe cargo plane during the airlift to relieve encircled German ground forces at Demyansk on the East Front in 1942.
"Immelmann III", the FW 200 V3 26+00 which was Adolf Hitler's personal transport aircraft, shown here in standard wartime two-tone green splinter-pattern camouflage. The two-bladed controlled pitch propellers were standard on FW200 V1 through V4 aircraft.
Arado Ar 96B of FFS A/B2 (Pilot School)
An Ar 96B of Fighter School 2. Note the trough for the single forward-firing machine gun on the engine cowling.
Aircraft 250 again, showing its RLM Grey colorscheme to advantage. The large "250" on the side of the fuselage is yellow with thin black edging.
A Klemm Kl 106 trainer makes a visit to an Air Force technical airfield. The large aircraft in the background in a British Short "Stirling" bomber that was forced down over Germany during a British raid.
The Klemm is painted in the RLM Grey that was common to most trainers, but the yellow band around the fuselage, normally symbolizing an aircraft operating on the Russian Front, is somewhat of a mystery.
A Gotha Go 145 basic trainer bearing the markings of the Luftwaffe Luftdienst, prepares for a takeoff.
Bomb racks full, engines ticking over, the large floatplane is lifted from the jetty into the water.
A He 59B-2, PY+NI is hoisted up to be placed in the water. Note the beaching dollies directly below the floats in this photo.
Устаревшие гидропланы He 59 в годы войны использовались как патрульные и поисково-спасательные машины
Its flight completed, an He 59 has been beached at the top of the beaching ramp as the pilot and co-pilot, both navy officers (Kapitan zur See and Oberleutnant zur See) converse in the foreground. Note the Air Force style rank markings on the sleeves of their flight jackets.
Here's a switch - the tow boat is being steered by a member of the Luftwaffe while members of the Kriegsmarine check the floats and rigging of the floatplane after a flight.
The all Navy crew of M2+TL, another He 59 of 3 Staffel, Coastal Group 106, poses for the camera before a flight. Both this aircraft and the one in the preceding photos features the standard two-tone green camouflage pattern.
M2+RW, a He 59B-2 of 3 Staffel, Coastal Group 106 gets set to be lifted from the jetty into the water.
A Luftwaffe sergeant-pilot (in cockpit) and a Naval flight officer discuss details before a flight. Most Coastal Groups operated with mixed flight and ground crews of both Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine personnel.
A He 60D SD+WJ roars across the calm water before lifting off on patrol
K6+PF, a He 60D of Coastal Group 406 flies low over a convoy bound for Norway during the Norwegian Campaign of 1940.
Ground crew personnel, some of them up to their armpits in the cold North Sea water, pull a He 60D up to the beaching ramp.
Heinkel He 60D floatplanes on their beaching dollies lined up for a squadron inspection in Northern Germany, early 1940.
An He 115B-1 of 1 Staffel, Coastal Group 506 flies along the Norwegian coast during 1941.
This He 115B-1 bears the three dice and dice cup insignia of 1 Staffel, Coastal Group 206.
K6+GH, an He 115B-1, is pulled to shore for maintenance on its port float. Note the large rubber flotation bladder placed under the tail of the aircraft.
Once the large floatplane is out of the water, it is determined that the port float will have to be replaced with another.
A combination of technical know-how, body english, strong language and brute strength are the tools used to free the release pins from the struts and the float is free.
An aircraft of Coastal Group 406 shown as the crew confer before a flight. Note the inflatable rubber life jackets worn by the crewmen on the right, while the one on the left wears the early style cork-filled life jacket.
Aircraft K6+TH, a He 115C with the special 20mm MG151/20 gun mount under the nose. This and all other aircraft of 1 Coastal Group 406 were based at Kirkenes in Norway during 1941-1942.
An He 115C with the 15mm MG151 gun mount under its nose. This is aircraft K6+EH of 1 Staffel, Coastal Group 406.
Bombing up an He 115B-1 with 200 kilogram bombs. The long narrow bomb bay was capable of carrying either bombs, aerial mines, depth charges or a torpedo.
The same aircraft, K6+NH. Worthy of note in this view are the large elevator and rudder mass balances that jut out from the control surfaces like the horns of a bull. The wake made by the floats suggests that the boat in the foreground is pushing the aircraft out into the fjord.
Her engines and nose encased in protective canvas, this He 115C is about to be secured on the shore. Note the Ju 52 floatplane in the background.
Engine maintenance on an He 115C. Barely visible in the photo are the yellow painted wingtips on the undersurfaces of the wings.
Luftwaffe officers of Bombing Wing 26 tour the facilities at Kirkenes. The large teardrop fairing under the He 115C's 15mm MG151 was used to catch the expended shell casings when the gun was fired.
A half-dozen mechanics manhandle the new float up to the dolly The heavy coat of ice on the ground makes matters only a little easier.
K6+GH, a Heinkel He 115B-1 patrol bomber of Coastal Group 406 flies low over a Norwegian fjord.
The same aircraft of Coastal Group 506 makes a run over the camera, showing off its light blue undersides and float bottoms.
The new float is placed on the wheeled dolly so that it may be properly positioned under the attachment points on the struts.
The officer at the right is the Luftwaffe colonel commanding 1 Coastal Group 406. His unit received much acclaim for the part it played in the destruction of Allied convoy PQ 17 in July of 1941, when the He 115's were used as torpedo planes.
Buttoning up the engines after a long flight. The chin-mounted 15mm MG151 cannon shows up well in this photo of an He 115C.
A ground crewman checks out the ball machine gun mount on the nose of an He 115. The He 115 normally carried a crew of only three and sometimes four.
A "Condor" circles the runway to gain altitude.
The under surfaces of this FW 200C-3/U1 of KG40 are mirrored in the puddles on Merignac hardstand as it runs up its engines prior to takeoff.
The nose of the veteran FW 200 showing the markings of Instrument Flight School 36, a blindfolded cow on a red and yellow quartered circle.
Ground crew personnel transfer new oxygen to F8+CR, a FW 200C-3 of KG40. The French Renault truck shown in the photo is a type that was used widely in a branches of the German armed forces.
Adolf Hitler visiting aircrews of KG40 at Merignac airfield in Bordeaux, France, 1942. Note the diversity of uniforms. The SS airman at the far right wears the sleeve insignia of a Luftwaffe colonel on his leather flight jacket.
A close shot of the huge dual tires and landing gear struts of a FW 200.
This C3 is a real veteran! Her rudder shows that she sunk two allied ships while a member of KG40 in France; she now bears the markings of Instrument Flight School 36, but is being used as a cargo transport during the emergency airlift.
A close-up of the bombardier's gondola of a FW 200C-3/U2, showing the forward firing MG15 machine gun and the fairing housing the Lotfe 7 bombsight.
The FW 200C-3 taxis across the field for another sortie during the Demyansk airlift.
SS Obergruppenfuhrer Reinhard Heydrich, chief of the SS security service, peers out of the cockpit of his personal FW 200 transport. Note the curtain on the window below the dorsal turret.
The Luftwaffe takes delivery of a new FW 200C-3/U1. Here, the ground crew push the aircraft toward its place on the taxi strip.
An already famous photo of Fighter Group 54's "hack" aircraft, a Bucker Bu 131 Jungmeister basic trainer, shown here being camouflaged by brush, on the Eastern Front, 1941.
Klemm KI 106, bearing the markings of 7 Staffel, Fighter Group 54, a white wooden shoe with wings. The aircraft features standard green splinter camouflage on the flying surfaces, but the fuselage has a green mottle sprayed over the RLM Grey base color.