Doras of the Galland Circus

Focke-Wulf
Fw 190D-9

1/32 Scale

EagleCals Decals

Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner

Eagle Cals #14-32 is available online from Squadron.com

There aren’t too many “Doras” that have fascinated researchers as much as these flamboyant machines.  The Me 262s of JV 44 needed protection during their vulnerable take off and landing stages. To help guard against being shot at by the nervous German flak gunners, red and white stripes were painted on the aircraft’s undersurfaces. 

Four aircraft have been picked out from this so-called “Papageienstaffel”, and is takes two full decal sheets to accommodate them. 

“Red 1”, Fw 190 D-9, W.Nr. 600424

Flown by Lt. Heinz Sachsenberg, April 1945. Slogan – “Sell my clothes I’m going to heaven!”

The upper surfaces carry a combination of RLM 82 Bright Green and RLM 83 Dark Green. The instructions suggest RLM 81 could also have been included in the mottling. RLM 76 Light Blue covers the fuselage sides and all undersurfaces were red with white stripes.

National markings on the wings consist of 910mm B6 type white crosses above and the solid black 900mm B1b type below. The fuselage shows the 600mm B3 type crosses with a 530mm H3 Hakenkreuz on the tail.

For those that like absolute accuracy, EagleCals indicate that the gun cowling was of the later 3-piece type with no bumps. Nice touch and they point out this detail on all the subject aircraft where possible!

While the FuG 16 zy and FuG 25a masts are present, the DF loop antenna and base are not.

Blown canopy. 

“Red 13”, Fw 190 D-9, W.Nr. 213240

Slogan – “In he goes even though both of us will cry”. Flown by Oblt. Klaus Faber, May 1945.

This is an earlier production aircraft with RLM 75 Gray-Violet and RLM 83 Dark Green on the upper surfaces. Again there is the possibility of RLM 81 mottling. Fuselage sides are RLM 76 Light Blue with the obligatory red and white striped undersurfaces. Note that this aircraft wore an earlier number under the “13” and this has been painted out in a colour interpreted as light green. 

The wings carried 910mm B6 crosses on the upper surfaces and the black/white 900mm B3 types on the undersurfaces. Fuselage sides had the early 800mm B3 types with a 420mm H3 style Hakenkreuz on the tail. 

This machine had the DF loop base but not the antenna and does show the FuG 16zy mast and FuG 25a antenna. The early 5-piece gun cover is present as is the early type canopy. EagleCals also point out that there were some bracing wires on each side of the headrest.

“Red 3”, Fw 190 D-9, W.Nr. unknown

Slogan – “By Order of State Railway”. Flown by Hptm. Waldemar Wubke, May 1945.

RLM 82 Bright Green and RLM 82 Dark Green were applied to the upper surfaces with a possibility of a mottle of RLM 81 Brown-Violet.

The fuselage side was covered in the enigmatic Green-Blue with the engine panels in RLM 76 Light Blue. 

National markings consisted of the small B3 type 600mm black/white crosses on the fuselage and 420mm H3 style Hakenkreuz on the tail.

Upper and lower wing surfaces carry the white B6 910mm and 900mm B3 black/white crosses respectively. 

All antennas are present on this machine and it displays the late 3-piece gun cowling.

“Red 4”, Fw 190 D-11, W.Nr. 170933 (?), May 1945.

Slogan – “The next Man the same Woman” 

This rare machine carries RLM 83 Dark Green and RLM 75 Gray-Violet on the upper surfaces. Again it is possible that RLM 81 was used as a mottle on the fuselage sides. The base colour on the fuselage was RLM 76 Light Blue with the undersides striped red and white. 

The tail had the H3 420mm Hakenkreuz and the fuselage sides the 800mm B3 black/white cross. The wings carried the expected 910mm B6 crosses on the upper surfaces and probably B3 900mm black/white cross underneath. 

As this is a D-11, EagleCals thoughtfully let you know the differences between the D-9 and the D-11. Markings from a previous life are faintly visible on the fuselage side, these being “<58” in white. Thankfully these are provided. 

The comprehensive instruction sheet clearly shows the placement of all markings and is enhanced by the lovely artwork of Thomas A. Tullis. A separate set of illustrations show the placement of the stencil data and a full list of appropriate references is also given.

Everything you need to produce one of these aircrafts is present. From the accurate markings to the full compliment of stencil data applicable to the individual aircraft, nothing is left wanting. 

The research is second to none with an attention to detail a microbiologist would be happy with.

Recommended

Thanks to Judy at Eagle Editions for the information and the preview images

EagleCals decals are available from Eagle Editions Website
or Hobby Retailers including Squadron.com.     

Preview Text Copyright © 2003 by Rob Baumgartner
This Page Created on 12 November, 2003
Last updated 11 November, 2003

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