Walter Nowotny climbing out of his FW 190 as commander of the training unit JG 101. This was during the eleven month gap of his combat career when Germany wanted to preserve their heroes much like they attempted to do with von Richthofen in the Great War.
Notice the Triple Chevron, 13 in the Green Heart and the tiny 8 behind the chevrons. He basically had his way and disregarded Luftwaffe regulations. Then again I suppose he could because, at the time, he was the most successful fighter pilot in world history. His next combat post would be as commander of the experimental jet fighter unit Kommando Nowotny. His job would be to develop proper jet fighter tactics to facilitate future jet pilots. Sadly, the unit was plagued with problems which can be expected considering the fledgling status of turbine engines and jets in general.
