Hello Hover Kitty



This aircraft marking is a perfect match for the cat on the Nutrocker decal sheet which represents the insignia for the 503rd Independent Heavy Battle Car Battalion.


According to the source (The German Federal Archive), the photo is a picture of the unit emblem of 2. Jagdgeschwader 20 though it is somewhat unique in appearance. The 'arched cat' of 2./JG 20 was typically depicted in a white circle with the tail pointing away from the body, however I have seen quite a lot of variation in some staffel markings ...



"Jagdgeschwader 20 (JG 20) was a Luftwaffe fighter wing during the early phase of World War II in Europe. JG 20 was founded on 15 July 1939 in Jesau and comprisedof just one Gruppe and two Staffeln. A third Staffel was added on 5 November 1939 in Brandenburg-Briest. The sole Gruppe was redesignated as 3rd Gruppe ofJagdgeschwader 51 (III./JG 51) on 4 July 1940. During the Battle of France it was subordinated to Luftflotte 2."

Oberleutnant Georg "Murr" Schott, a 16-victory ace and the Staffelkapitän of 1./JG 1 also had a similar black cat painted as a personal motif on the side of his Fw 190 A-6 "White 11".


"On 22 June, Schott shot down a USAAF B-17 four-engine for his 17th victory. On 19 August 1943, Schott claimed his 20th, and last, victory when he shot down B-17. On 27 September 1943, Oberleutnant Schott was shot down during aerial combat with Allied bombers over the North Sea. He successfully baled out of his stricken Fw 190 A-6 (W.Nr. 550 476) “White 11”, landing in the sea. He managed to climb into his dinghy. However, an intensive search for him proved futile and the Schott’s remains and his dinghy were washed ashore on a beach of the island of Sylt on 11 October 1943."



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