Bf 109G-2 of Stab. II/Jg 52 in the winter of 1942-43. The "<1" ID marking indicates that it was likely assigned group's to the chief of staff. II/Jg 52 was based various airfields between Rostov-on-Don and Stalingrad during that winter. It's pilots frequently provided escort to transport aircraft attempting to deliver supplies to the encircled 6th Army.
This aircraft was originally painted in the RLM 74/75 grays over 76 light blue, seemingly in the pattern of a Regensburg built 109. Yellow theater markings adorn the lower cowl and wing tips with a band around the fuselage. A partial whitewash was sprayed around the tactical and national markings. The prop spinner has a tip that is white and red. The Jg 52 shield emblem is painted on both sides of the fuselage under the windscreen.
