Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: Devil 505 on March 28, 2021, 11:59:29 PM

Title: Bf 109F Hans Strelow 5./Jg 51
Post by: Devil 505 on March 28, 2021, 11:59:29 PM: Bf 109F flown by Hans Strelow of 5./Jg 51. This plane was photographed shortly after Strelow achieved his 40th victory on February 28th 1942. The brash 19 year old apparently grew impatient of waiting to be awarded the Knight's Cross for his 40th, which was typical at the time, that he painted a uniform collar with the medal adorned on his rudder beside the 40th kill bar - along with a question mark. As if to say,"Hey, where's mine?"

Another interesting feature of his plane at the time was the dent in the prop spinner.

Strelow was a rising star in the Luftwaffe. He scored his first victory on June 25th 1941 over central Russia and averaged better than 4 victories per month through the end of February. But it was in March where Strelow really break out. Victory number 50 would come on the 17th and with it the Knight's Cross medal, finally. He would down 7 soviet planes the very next day and 7 more over the following 5 days to surpass 60 victories and was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross. Strelow became the youngest recipient of the Oak Leaves during the entire war at 19 years and 363 days of age.

Hans Strelow's 68th and final victory would come nearly 2 months later. On May 22, Strelow shot down a Pe-2 but suffered critical engine damage in the attack. He was forced to land behind Soviet lines. Fearing capture and torture, Strelow committed suicide.

(https://i.postimg.cc/yxh1tT9p/Strelow-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/n9zfQB3q)

(https://i.postimg.cc/CxxhrkKJ/Strelow-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fJ1QJ3m0)

(https://i.postimg.cc/nzDcYxLJ/Strelow-3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TLT6fZm7)
Title: Re: Bf 109F Hans Strelow 5./Jg 51
Post by: lyric1 on March 29, 2021, 02:16:07 AM: :aok
Title: Re: Bf 109F Hans Strelow 5./Jg 51
Post by: Vraciu on March 29, 2021, 11:11:44 AM: Beautiful.

Nineteen years old. SMH. Wow.
Title: Re: Bf 109F Hans Strelow 5./Jg 51
Post by: whiteman on March 29, 2021, 11:38:43 AM: Great Skin and background story!
Title: Re: Bf 109F Hans Strelow 5./Jg 51
Post by: oboe on March 29, 2021, 11:46:54 AM: Superb. Dent in the spinner is incredible work and awesome attention to detail.

This pilot sounds like a handful for his commanders!
Title: Re: Bf 109F Hans Strelow 5./Jg 51
Post by: Devil 505 on March 29, 2021, 12:21:23 PM: Quote from: oboe on March 29, 2021, 11:46:54 AM
Superb. Dent in the spinner is incredible work and awesome attention to detail.

This pilot sounds like a handful for his commanders!

Thanks.

I'm not sure he was all that much of a handful. According to one source, he was leading the squadron by the time of his death.
Title: Re: Bf 109F Hans Strelow 5./Jg 51
Post by: Vraciu on March 29, 2021, 12:30:07 PM: Quote from: Devil 505 on March 29, 2021, 12:21:23 PM
Thanks.

I'm not sure he was all that much of a handful. According to one source, he was leading the squadron by the time of his death.

And only 20.

Such bravery these guys had--on both sides.
Title: Re: Bf 109F Hans Strelow 5./Jg 51
Post by: Nefarious on March 29, 2021, 02:48:40 PM: Incredible details and an incredible story to boot. Thank you for this amazing contribution to our community. <S>
Title: Re: Bf 109F Hans Strelow 5./Jg 51
Post by: SIK1 on March 29, 2021, 10:25:20 PM: Good stuff. :aok

:salute
Sik
Title: Re: Bf 109F Hans Strelow 5./Jg 51
Post by: Greebo on March 30, 2021, 01:38:23 AM: Great job on the skin Devil, looks just right.