Bob Lyons

This is the side with the writing on it

I guess this doesn't fall exclusively into Luftwaffe equipment, but I tend to think that with this type of cammo, it was probably used by the Luftwaffe, and I have seen some footage in a documentary of Fallschirmjaeger, in a training excercise, using an almost exact cammo pattern on a similar ammo container as this one, so maybe this was once used by the FJ. It has some very faint writing in pencil along one side too, but it is too faded to make anything out of it, I will try and make out what it actually says one day. Here are the pix....

Thanks mate, look forward to seeing photos of yours. Being an ex army morse op from some years back, I do have a bit of a soft spot for mine. Bob

Very nice. Bob

And shoulder strap to correspond with the above collar tab. Bob

Flak collar tab for Unterfeldwebel

and some insignia, an Other Ranks cuff title....

another shot...

And a bit more HG stuff, I posted this visor cap before, but can add it here for the sake of the thread...

Sorry I can't contribute, but I can sure enjoy, and that photo sent my ol' ticker fluttering... Beautiful! Bob

Thanks Darrell. Bob

Anybody got any ideas when the new Previtera book is due out, (the new 2nd edition) I thought it would be in print by now, but so far, nothing heard, I guess it shouldn't be too far off though. Bob

Congratulations Rob, I have never seen one in the flesh, just in reference books, you must be pleased! How big is the buckle collection??? Bob

Your building up a darned fine uniform collection there Paul, I might have to join the Coast Guard, seems like they pay well!! Bob

Thanks for showing that one Jos, Paul asked me about the example that started this thread, and I said that I had two examples and had probably seen another couple over the past few years, so wasn't really up to speed on them, good to be able to expand these horizons. Yeah the colour was what had me getting worry lines, but you cleared that up quickly! Thanks Bob

Hi Bill, Let me be the first on this forum to congratulate you on your fine pick up, I followed this one over on the WAF and was curious to see who the lucky guy was who had picked it up, and saw your name at the end of that one, a great grouping, and more so with the lady being one of the three in that well known photo at the end of the war. I have only ever seen a couple of female Luft jackets over the years, and those I did see were many moons back now! And again, hearty congratulations on your rare grouping, Best wishes Bob

The lighter coloured backing was worrying me a bit, if Jos gives it the thumbs up, then sleep tight tonight.... Bob

Love the stuff already posted, that tunic of yours is a beauty too Steve...

Maker is Erel....

As promised Paul, photos of my Admin NCO's cap....

Great pick up Rob, I had one years ago, would like to get another one now I have seen your great example! Cobgratulations!! Bob

They are 1/48 scale. Here is another from him, and his comments re the model: "Finally, the E-4/7 is built as W.Nr 5819 and is modified to represent the aircraft after its conversion to E-7/Z status. Once again, I have used a Cutting Edge seat and Ultracast exhausts. Decals are from the Aeromaster set. The camo scheme is painted as per page 72 of the Schiffer publication."

A Jerry Crandall print of one of his FW 190's. Bob OSCAR BOESCH'S FOCKE-WULF Fw 190 A-8/R8 Image size 15" x 27" overall Limited edition of 950 s/n prints with 50 Artist's Proofs. In addition to the artist's signature each print co-autographed by the pilot Oscar Boesch. The Painting: To combat the heavy bombers, the Fw 190 was modified with bolt-on 5 mm armor plates called "Panzer Platten" on the fuselage sides. Additional 30 mm armored glass panels were added on the canopy and extra glass was added to the windshield quarter-panels. The outboard 20 mm wing guns were replaced by MK 108 30 mm cannons. This combination was the Fw 190 A-8/R8 "Sturmbock" (Ram). In an effort to save some weight, the 13 mm machine guns that were mounted over the engine were often removed. To protect these heavy fighters, special Gruppen of Bf 109's were assigned to fly top cover while the 190's attacked the bombers. The camouflage colors of this machine were the standard grays 76, 75 and 74. The distinctive Reich defense bands of black/white/black trimmed with white were selected by Major von Kornatzki to help identify this special unit. White numbers with a thin black outline were used. The rare unit badge shown was only in use for a few weeks and not on all aircraft. They were hand-painted without use of stencils so they were all a little different. Oscar Boesch did not enter the war until April l944. In an effort to help stop the allied bomber offensive, he volunteered for a new unit being formed by Major von Kornatzki to lead the effort to stop bombers at all costs even if it meant ramming them, Sturm-Staffel |. In May 1944, Sturm-Staffel | became || Staffel with 10 and 13 Stafflen added to form IV./JG 3 "Udet". Oscar Boesch was shot down eight times, four bail outs and four crash-landings. He flew 120 combat missions, on this last mission he rammed a Russian Yak-9 fighter. Boesch's unit suffered 350% losses. He is one of three known survivors.

This might be of some assistance... Bob Oscar Boesch also had a distinguished career with the Luftwaffe. After narrowly avoiding death on his first mission on April 29, 1944, he claimed his first victory on May 8. Wounded several times in his 12 month as an operational flyer, he lost eight FW­190's. His victories included a Spitfire, a Mustang, six B­17s, two B­24s and eight Soviet aircraft.After completing 120 operational sorties, his aircraft collided with a Yak-9 over Berlin, during the last days of the war. He was captured by the Russians after baling out, but escaped and walked 1000km to his native home in Austria. In 1951, Oscar Boesch emmigrated to Canada with his wife Editha and baby Roland. The Boesch's have had two daughters since then. Oscar still flies at airshows across North America, and has appeared in the IMAX movie, Silent Flight.

Thanks for sharing your collecting passions with us Leigh, I enjoyed the tour, especially liked your M40 cammo that once had a half basket wire cover for camouflage, and the great multi hued colours, Is it a 'Q' (F.W. Quist) made example by chance? Bob