IL2

Messerschmitt Bf-109F JG27.8 (W_+~) Libya 1941 01

Photo 01: Spinnerless Bf-109F-4 Trop of 8./JG27 running up its engine, probably after repairs.

Messerschmitt Bf-109F JG27.8 (W_+~) North Africa Feb 1942 01

Photo 01: The true nature of the Sandgelb 79 and Hellblau 78 colours used by the Luftwaffe in North Africa is revealed in this color photograph. The white segment on the spinner, the white fuselage band and the yellow under the cowling are absolutely typical of Bf-109Fs operating in North Africa in late 1941 and during 1942. The only modification introduced to these colors and markings was that the spinners were later painted all white and a white band, extending back to the panel line immediately ahead of the exhausts, was added to the front of the engine cowling. Note the low tonal value between the blue and the sand which, in monochrome photographs, sometimes makes it difficult to clearly recognise the demarcation line.

Messerschmitt Bf-109F JG27.8 (W_+~) El Asala 1942 02

Photo 01: A Bf-109F-4 Trop of 8./JG27 at El Asala in July 1942. Note that while the majority of F-4s came off the production lines with round wheel wells, this aircraft has the later, squared-off type also seen on some Bf 109 F-2s.