Focke-Wulf Fw 190 D-9 Dora “Red 1”

Aircraft

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 D-9 Dora “Red 1”

Pilot & Markings

Staffelkapitän Heinz Sachsenberg — JV44 Würger-Staffel, München-Riem, 1945

Scale & Kit

1/48 Tamiya Model Aircraft

History

Renowned as the world’s first turbojet fighter aircraft, the Messerschmitt Me 262 was highly vulnerable during take-off and landing. It lacked acceleration and deceleration, which required long runways, a weakness well known to Allied pilots who lurked around bases in hopes of a victory.

To provide air cover for Me 262 jets, Adolf Galland established the “Würger-Staffel” airfield defense unit. Headed by Heinz Sachsenberg, the protection squadron was comprised of a core group of elite pilots that included Waldemar Wübke and Klaus Faber. Nicknamed the “Sachsenberg Schwarm”, these pilots counted on the powerful Focke-Wulf Fw 190 D-9 (Dora), featured in this Tamiya model kit. These long nosed aircraft had unusual markings, which included a personal inscription on the port side of the fuselage. The underbellies were also painted bright red with prominent white stripes. This feature was recognizable to weary Luftwaffe pilots returning to base and also helped German flak gunners identify them in the air.

During his assignment as Commander of the JV 44 protection squadron, ace pilot Heinz Sachsenberg flew the Fw 190 D-9 “Red 1” represented in this Tamiya model build. He was a true Experten, who was credited with a total of 104 victories. The inscription on the port side reads “Verkaaft’s mei Gwand ‘I foahr in himmel!” (Sell my clothes I’m going to heaven). Enjoy these photos of the Focke-Wulf “Red 1” model kit.

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