UNITS #06: JG 26. Jagdgeschwader "Schlageter"

Author: Marek J. Murawski

The sixth volume of the Units series is devoted to another famous fighter unit of the German Luftwaffe during the World War 2 – the JG 26 "Schlageter".

Books of the Units series are being published in the format of 205x275mm that is nearly A4 size and usually takes 28 pages. The general idea of the series is to present the history and campaigns of the title unit, illustrate it with good quality pictures, present on large colour schemes four selected machines from different time periods, used by the title unit, and provide the decals with individual markings and insignias for these machines. The large colour profiles depicts all four planes from both sides, one is presented also from above and below views. Decals are provided in three most popular scales in plastic kits: 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32.

Content

The booklet starts with the bibliography. The author has based his studies on a well known and appreciated Luftwaffe historians and good quality magazines. On the next 32 pages the author presents the history of the unit in a chronological order, from 1938 when the unit was established in as JG 132 in Düseldorf. As the unit spent the war only on the Western Front we can follow the tides its history is strongly related to the tides of war on the whole front: from the French Campaign, through the Battle of Britan and fighting over the Channel (including the famous Channel Dash), later facing the “Mighty Eighth” - the American 8th Air Force, taking part in the Operation Bodenplatte to the bitter end in May 1945. One of JG 26 staffels, went on a short excursion to the Mediterranean for nearly six months in 1941 supporting the German and Italian attacks on Malta and on Allied shipping. These campaigns are described in just a few sentences focusing on the most important events, successes or defeats, aces and commanders. On the last pages we will find few tables with statistics: Geschwader and particular Gruppen commanders, list of most successful aces and types of aircraft in service of JG 26 and its sub-units during the war.

The story is illustrated with about 40 black and white archive photographs of different size and taken in various circumstances, from peacetime silence on the airbase to the sad end of burned-out wreckage after the bombardment. It is supplemented by the colour painting schemes of four chosen planes from JG 26 squadrons. Painting schemes and colour profiles for attached decal sheet presents the following fighters used by JG 2:

• Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1; W.Nr. 3413, 'Black 5', flown by Lt. Hans Krug of 5./JG 26, Chievres airfield, France, early June 1940.
  
• Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-2; W.Nr. 0125 304, flown by Hptm. Johannes Seifert, Kommandeur of I./JG 26, St. Omer-Arques airfield, France, late May 1942.
  
• Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6; flown by Hptm. Klaus Mietusch, Kommandeur of III./JG 26, Nordholz airfield, Germany, late July 1943.
  
• Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8; W.Nr. 170 661, 'Brown 13', flown by Lt. Gerhard Vogt, Kapitän of 7./JG 26, France, June 1944.

As it was already mentioned before provided decal sheet consists of markings in three scales. The decals are printed by well known Italian company specialized in decals – Cartograf. I cannot find any errors or imperfections in the printing. Very nice colours, great quality of units and personal emblems with lot of details, thin carrier film printed without unnecessary excess. As usual for this producer – top quality.

Although this series of publications is certainly not dedicated to advanced historians of airwar or Luftwaffe it proves to be popular amongst modellers who are always eager for decorating their scale replicas in unpopular or not so often seen schemes. Kagero provides solution for this group giving in their hands a very useful combination of inspiration, historical background and reference and decals to use in the final process of creating a scale miniature. Selection of the airplanes for colour schemes and decals is always very careful so you can be sure you will be able to make an attractive and eye catching airplane model.

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