Bf 109E-4 W.Nr. 5344 flown by Helmut Wick in 1940. This post contains two schemes at different points in Wick's career. The first is also an adoption of BH3841's skin from the same squadron at the same period in time.
W.Nr. 5344 as "Yellow 2" of 3./Jg 2 in August 1940. Photographed at Beaumont-le-Roger, France on or around Aug. 16, when Wick scored his 18th victory of the war (his first victory being the very first in all of Jg 2). The aircraft was painted in the standard camouflage pattern and colors of RLM 71 and 02 over 65. The fuselage sides have field applied splotches in RLM 70 in a style unique to Jg 2, the splotches are small and very dense, probably applied by hand with a brush. The white portion of the national insignia are partially over painted with black to reduce visibility. The Jg 2 emblem is simply the red Richthofen "R" and the black outline of the shield over the base light blue camouflage. The emblem of 3 Staffel, a blue pennant with a yellow sword and "Horrido!" a German victory cry, was painted on the nose. 18 victory marks are painted on the rudder - 12 of which were scored during the Battle of France. A personal emblem of a hummingbird was painted on the port side fuselage aft of the cockpit. Wick would fly W.Nr. 5344 in this guise until September 9, when he appointed to Grupenkommandeur of I/Jg 2 with 28 total victories.
W.Nr. 5344 as "Black <<" of Stab. I/Jg 2 on October 15, 1940. Wick had been continuing to down enemies through this point, with 42 victories now painted on the rudder and earning the Knight's Cross (Note the KC on the pilot on this skin). The iconic yellow cowl of the later stages of the Battle of Britain is now seen here. The spinner was also painted yellow with a white stripe. A flash of yellow was also given to the lower rudder. The yellow 2 was over painted with fresh RLM 65 and given new RLM 70 dots before the command chevrons were applied. Weathering is applied heavier on this skin compared to the earlier version to represent the continued wear seen in reference.
With 42 victories to his credit, Helmut wick was promoted to the rank of Major. At age 25, he was the youngest Major in the entire Wehrmacht to this point. He was also appointed Kommodore of Jg 2 in its entirety. He continued to use W.Nr. 5344 as his personal mount, eventually achieving his 56th victory, a Spitfire, on November 28th. But this sortie would prove to be the end of the line for both W.Nr. 5344 and Wick himself. Another spitfire would damage Wick's aircraft enough that he was forced to bail out over the English Channel. His wingman circled the area and radioed the British Air/Sea Rescue force, stating that "A Spitfire is down" until the point of running himself out of fuel - he ditched on the beach in France. Helmut Wick, the highest scoring ace of the Battle of Britain, was never seen again.
