Luftwaffe History: Visiting the widow of Lt. Manfred Dieterle

I visited the widow of Manfred Dieterle, a former pilot of 3./ JG300 piloting Bf-109G-6/R6 yellow "1", in a Seniorenheim near Stuttgart in 2004 for a short visit.

She showed me some items originating of Manfred´s Luftwaffe carrier. The two most interesting items were his Flugbuch (flight log) and a contemporary wooden scale model of „his“ Gustav of approx. 1/50 scale. This model was obviously finished in the wartime Luftwaffe lacquers as they were used on his real Gustav.

Description of the wooden Bf-109 model

Spinner: semi gloss black (probably RLM 7160.22) with pale yellow (probably is RLM 27) spiral.

Upper surfaces: close to RAL 7031 Blue grey (RAL-K5 color swatch). Finish shows a slight sheen typical to nitro-cellulose lacquers. The blue grey color does not fit a standard RLM color and was probably a mix of available colors at the unit level, probably based on lacquers RLM 7121 or 7122.

Lower surfaces: semi-gloss black, probably RLM 7160.22 with a less dull finish than the blue grey color.

Rumpfband (fuselage band): close to RAL 3005 Wine red (RAL-K5 color swatch) but different to RLM 28(!).

Tactical markings: pale yellow “1” with white outline. The pale yellow shade is probably RLM 27.

National insignias: white outline only Balkenkreuze on fuselage and upper wings. No swastika, probably it was too delicate to be applied by brush (?).

Wooden wartime model of Gelbe "1" flown by Staffelkapitän Lt. Manfred Dieterle with a blue grey camouflage scheme suitable for nightfighters. The lower surfaces and the the wing root area are semi-gloss black with no national insignia – Balkenkreuze. The upper surfaces are a non-RLM blue grey color. The spinner is semi-gloss black with a pale yellow spiral and the Rumpfband is wine red.

The Messerschmitt Bf-109G/AS

Frau Dieterle also showed Manfred´s Flugbuch and one entry was of particular interest for me: this entry was of a a sortie flown in a Bf-109G/AS with a remark reading as follows: “Geht ab wie eine Rakete!” which translates to “goes like a rocket!”. High altidude performans of the AS version must have been noticeably better than of the stand Gustav powered by the DB605A.

Pauke! Pauke! – NIGHTFIGHTER! Me 262 B-1a/U1 Red 12 | Part 10

Assembly makes some progress. Canopy
will be open on the finished model!

Attached the brass atennas 💣

Weathering not yet finished ...

... but it is on its way. 👽

Horizontal stabs and vertical tail.

Right upper wing received less weathering
and scuffs as the crew entered via

left side of the a/c.

Pauke! Pauke! – NIGHTFIGHTER! Me 262 B-1a/U1 Red 12 | Part 9

Added decals from HGW using their wet transfers.
I had some issues with removing the clear film
but I recommend HGW highly.

Started the weathering of the inner upper wings
and the forward fuselage section-

Added scuffs and washes. Chipping, some dust etc.
are still missing.

Pauke! Pauke! – NIGHTFIGHTER! Me 262 B-1a/U1 Red 12 | Part 8

Added the black lower surfaces.
Nose tip may need a correction ...

Left engine nacelle was almost completely black.
Clolor mix is a satin black with some neutral grey
and a few drops of red brown.

Right engine nacell had a NMF intake.

Color seperation was very low on the fuselage.

Pauke! Pauke! – NIGHTFIGHTER! Me 262 B-1a/U1 Red 12 | Part 7

Upper surfaces received a coat of RLM 82.

according to Claes Sundin it was the darker
variation of RLM 82.

Pauke! Pauke! – NIGHTFIGHTER! Me 262 B-1a/U1 Red 12 | Part 6

Added a first layer of RLM 82.

Added more RLM 81 and RLM 82.

Pauke! Pauke! – NIGHTFIGHTER! Me 262 B-1a/U1 Red 12 | Part 5

Starting the mottling with RLM 81.

Both fuselage sides showed different camoflage
patterns probably due to 2 painters finishing
each side of the fuselage independently.

Left side of tail unit.

RLM 81 area ahead of the wind shield probably
needs some re-working with RLM 76 ...

I have one photo of the right side of Rote 12
showing dark areas or bands of RLM 81.

Overview of right fuselage side.

Pauke! Pauke! – NIGHTFIGHTER! Me 262 B-1a/U1 Red 12 | Part 4

I appield several thin coats of light blue over
the blue preshading.

Photographing the light blue surfaces with its
subtable variations in hue is tricky ...

... but I think it can be seen to advantage
in these shap shots.

Mock-up of markings and colors on a surplus wing.
Markings are HGW wet transfers which seem to work
very well. RLM 82 variations for the upper camo.

Pauke! Pauke! – NIGHTFIGHTER! Me 262 B-1a/U1 Red 12 | Part 3

After basic assembly of the plane I have started
to paint the upper fuselage camouflage.

The fuselage needed some rescribing of panellines.
Fit around the wing root was mediocre requiring
some putty.

The fuselage was base coated with Gunze
Surfacer 1200 followed by a thin white coat.

Blue under painting or preshading of the RLM 76.
Next will be a thin light blue coat ... :-)

Pauke! Pauke! – NIGHTFIGHTER! Me 262 B-1a/U1 Red 12 | Part 2

WIP: Landing gear in the making.

Tires are resin replacements.

Front landing gear. I added break line detail from scratch.