I bet Mark12 hasn't seen this Spitfire

Certainly looks like a B-25 to me.

Is that a US market B-25 under the nose of the 109?

The fuselage roundels are broadly ‘Type A’ proportions but too early and inappropriate for the North African Theatre.

With Allied and Axis forces shuffling backwards and forwards along the North African coast, leaving their detritus, I can readily see the efficacy of painting ‘target’ RAF markings on Axis derelicts to be used as decoys.

Mark

7/JG 26 operated out of Sicily against Malta in February 1941 under Joachim Muncheberg. I think this was pretty much the only time the unit operated in the Med, Except for some operations in the Balkans, JG 26 flew mainly in Western Europe along with JG2.

Could this photo was taken in Sicily as I didn’t think that JG 26 operated in North Africa?

Very interesting image – Don’t think it’s the same one as shown here, but no known ‘flown’ captured Bf109Es in North Africa. I like the idea of decoys

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well done mark mate good to see

I am advised that it is a late ‘E’ model from JG26, Schlageter.

Mark

The roundel looks hastily sprayed on. It appears to be asymmetric, and a darker top layer has flaked off in parts. Why would it be used as a decoy? I can almost imagine the roundels were painted on downed aircraft either as wry humour or as a morale boost? “This is one of ours now!”

The 109 appears to have the insignia of JG26 on the fuselage side forward of the cockpit

Chris D. Them not knowing other peoples’ aircraft is a common experience and continues to this day…….

Bit worrying that an American War Museum can’t even recognize their own aircraft!

Possibly a shot down (or possibly more likely abandoned) one over painted with obvious RAF roundels and dragged out as a decoy?

It is a very interesting image. Note missing swastika on fin.

Judging by the black blemishes in the sky I would suggest that the fuselage black spots are also blemishes rather than puncture marks.

Note the Ju87 similarly marked with a roundel in the background.

So are these the markings of an Axis Air Force?

Mark

Image:- NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM New Orleans

It certainly looks like a 109 with that tail and engine thrustline, but those roundels look Italian to me. Puzzled!
Mike

Any idea why a 109 would have a roundel?
Prevent allied starafing attack or post capture graffiti?

I haven’t been able to “notice the illegible Floyd” possibly because it is illegible, but I did notice “109” one the fuselage……..

I bet Mark12 hasn’t seen this Spitfire

Not necessarily…just 6′ from this computer.

Mark

Aircraft recognition isn’t their strong point…

http://www.ww2online.org/image/shore-patrol-serviceman-examines-downed-p-51-mustang-italian-beach