Geschwader Stab Zerstörergeschwader 26 - ZG26 code U8 and 3U

Photo 01: Messerschmitt Me 410A1 Geschwader Stab KG26 (3U+AA) Germany 1944 0A

Geschwader Stab Zerstörergeschwader 26

Messerschmitt Me 410BU4 ZG26 (3U+xx) attacking B-17Gs 388BG562BS over Czechoslovakia 12th May 1944

Photo 01: A German Me 410 twin-engine fighter banking right after attacking a B-17G bomber of the US 562nd Bomb Squadron, 388th Bomb Group, over Brüx (present day: Most), Czechoslovakia, 12 May 1944.

This extraordinary photo was taken from the radio compartment’s window of B-17G “Lady Godiva” by Sgt. Victor A. LaBruno. The B-17 was named "Lady Godiva" because she arrived at the group "completely naked" without any paint. She was written off after crash-landing at Honington on June 12, 1944. This particular Me 410 is the somewhat rare “bomber killer” B-(1 or 2)/U4 variant, armed with a 50 mm BK 5 cannon. The long barrel clearly visible protruding from the aircraft’s nose. Given the date and location it probably belonged to either ZG26 or 76.

(Photo source: USAAF)
(Colour and text by Rui Candeias)
https://www.facebook.com/TheTruthInColor/

Messerschmitt Me 410BU4 ZG26 (3U+xx) being hangered Germany 1944

Photo 01: An Me 410B-(1 or 2)/U4 ‘Hornisse’ (Hornet) heavy fighter-bomber from either II or III./ZG26 “Horst Wessel” being moved to a hangar. Location unknown, most probably Germany, circa 1944. This particular Me 410 was the Zerstörer (destroyer) version, armed with a 50 mm BK 5 cannon, plus, in this case two 20 mm MG 151 cannons on the nose. Other combinations included several 7.92 mm MG 17 and a pair of 30 mm cannons instead of the 50 mm gun. For a period of time, during early 1944, the Me 410 achieved some great successes against unescorted Allied bomber formations, but the heavy and underpowered Me 410 was no match for real fighters. Once the P-38 Lightening, the Mustang, and Thunderbolt showed up, the Me 410 days were numbered. After a series of very costly encounters they were removed from anti-bomber duties. Note the 5 ‘kill’ rings on the gun barrel. (Colourised by Rui Candeias)

Stab I. Gruppe Zerstörergeschwader 26

Messerschmitt Me 410A-2/U4 I./KG26 (3U+Z) W.Nr10157 BK5 armed Me410 used by I./ZG26 Konigsberg airfield Summer 1944.

Stab II. Gruppe Zerstörergeschwader 26

Profile 00: This profile is of a Messerschmitt Me 410B-1/U4 Hornisse belonging to II./ZG26 coded (3U+CC) and was Werk Nummer 420430 was stationed Koenigsberg in Germany 1944. This aircraft 3U+CC (cn 420430) was captured complete and flew with the RAF's assessment unit at Farnborough after WWII as TF209. Its now with the Aerospace Museum at RAF Cosford, England. 'Hornisse' means 'Hornet' and looks somewhat like the Hornet derivative of the DH Mosquito.

Photo 01: This photo taken during the war shows Messerschmitt Me 410B-1/U4 Hornisse belonging to II./ZG26 coded (3U+CC) and was Werk Nummer 420430 was stationed Koenigsberg in Germany 1944. This aircraft 3U+CC (cn 420430) was captured complete and flew with the RAF's assessment unit at Farnborough after WWII as TF209. Its now with the Aerospace Museum at RAF Cosford, England.

Profile 00: This profile is of a Messerschmitt Me 410 A-1/U4 6./ZG26 (3U+EC) Werk Nr 420493 flown by Richard Wilde and Bordfunker Karl Lapsie 12th May 1944

Stab III. Gruppe Zerstörergeschwader 26

Photo's 01-09: Photo's taken from the Aerospace Museum at RAF Cosford, England. http://www.airliners.net

2. Staffel I. Gruppe Zerstörergeschwader 26

Messerschmitt Me 410B 2./ZG26 (3U+CK) Seerappen Germany 1944

3. Staffel I. Gruppe Zerstörergeschwader 26

Profile 00: Me 210C-2 belonging to 3./ZG26 (Zerstoerergeschwader), coded (3U+UL) based in Sicily during 1943.

4. Staffel II. Gruppe Zerstörergeschwader 26

Profile 00: Messerschmitt Me 410B-2/U4 Hornisse belonging to 4./ZG26 coded (3U+HM) and was stationed in Germany 1944

Profile 00: Messerschmitt Me 410B-2/U4 Hornisse belonging to 4./ZG26 coded (3U+BM) and was stationed in Germany 1944

5. Staffel II. Gruppe Zerstörergeschwader 76

Profile 00: Messerschmitt Me 410B-2/U4 Hornisse belonging to 5./ZG26 (3U+CN) equipped 5 cm BK5 Cannon Konigsberg-Neumark 1944. Note the aircraft in the background has the 'C' reversed.
Book Reference: Jet & Prop Foto-Archiv Band 4

Photo 00: Messerschmitt Me 410B-2/U4 Hornisse belonging to 5./ZG26 (3U+BN) equipped 5 cm BK5 Cannon Konigsberg-Neumark 1944.
Book Reference: Jet & Prop Foto-Archiv Band 4

6. Staffel III. Gruppe Zerstörergeschwader 26

Profile 00: This painting is of a Messerschmitt Me 410B-2/U4 Hornisse belonging to 6./ZG26 coded (3U+CP) and was stationed in Germany 1944 by John Wallin Liberto
http://www.aviation-arthouse.com/

Photo 01: Me 410A-1 of 2nd Group ZG26 (Zerstoerergeschwader), Hildesheim, 1944-1945. RLM 82/81/76.

Profile 00: Me 410A-1 of 2nd Group ZG26 (Zerstoerergeschwader), W.Nr. 10117 Hildesheim, 1944-1945. RLM 82/81/76.

Profile 00: Me 410A-1 of 2nd Group ZG26 (Zerstoerergeschwader), W.NR. 10117 Hildesheim, 1944-1945. RLM 82/81/76.

Messerschmitt Me 410B 6./ZG26 (3U+VP) Werk Nr 420430 Germany 1944

Profile 00: This profile is of a Messerschmitt Me 410B-2/U4 Hornisse belonging to 6./ZG26 coded (3U+VP) and was stationed in Germany 1944.

Model Me 410A ZG26.2 (Y7+-) 01-04
Model Profile’s 01-04:http://www.hyperscale.com/features/2000/me410a1ir_2.htm