Junkers W 34

An unidentified Junkers W 34 hi of the Luftdienst, photographed during the war (as evidenced by the mobile camouflage netting in the background, bottom left).

The aircraft displays the inscription "Ruth" below the cockpit, and the Typenschild [identification plate] can just be recognized on the fuselage, in front of the wing root. Also very evident are the venturi tube on the side of the fuselage and the large Peilrahmen [direction finder loop] on top of the fuselage. Detail enlargement of the photo reveals the faint Luftdienst emblem.

This W 34 seems to be camouflaged in a single shade of green (the RLM 65 on the underside being obscured in the shadow), with what appears to be a darker NACA cowling and propeller blades in RLM 70. Exact date and location currently unknown. (German Aviation 1919-1945 collection)

Dornier Do 23

Beautiful study of what looks to be a rather pristine Dornier Do 23 SD+VD. The aircraft is equipped with four-blade wooden airscrews, and it is camouflaged entirely in grey. Moreover, this Do 23 appears well prepared for any adverse weather events: the cockpit and the forward observation position (accessible from the cockpit, by means of a passage way underneath the instrument panel) are protected by canvas covers, and it is tied to the ground with various ropes at the wing and tail wheel.

Exact date and location unfortunately currently unknown to me. (German Aviation 1919-1945 collection)

Messerschmitt Bf 109

The original, handwritten inscription on the back of this photo reads: Ein Jäger (Me 109) wird getankt. Im Hintergrund Fernbomber. [A fighter (Me 109) is being refueled. In the background long-range bombers.]

The Bf 109 E being tended to here was assigned to 5./JG 53, and the photo was possibly taken in Brittany while the Staffel was operating separately from the rest of the Group, in the early autumn of 1940. The first digit of the Bf 109's two-digit number, a "1", can just be recognized, and the aircraft displays a yellow cowling and rudder.

The aircraft in the background are, from left to right, a Junkers Ju 88 with markings overpainted in black, a Junkers Ju 52/3m, and a Focke-Wulf Fw 200. (German Aviation 1919-1945 collection; additional identification in accordance with information posted by Dr. Jochen Prien at luftwaffe-research-group.org, in September 2014.)