Here is a series of photos of a quick build by Jerry Crandall
Hasegawa 1/32 Fw 190 A-8
Ernst Schröder's "Red 19" Kölle alaaf!
This famous and colorful Fw 190 A-8 was flown by Ernst Schröder of 5./JG 300 from August through November of 1944. Schröder was a pilot in Sturmgruppe JG 300 that was designated as a bomber interceptor and assault fighter unit. This particular aircraft, which was W. Nr. 172733 was unusual in that it was not fitted with the Sturmbock equipment like the other Fw 190s in this unit. It had no additional fuselage or canopy armor and had the standard four 20 mm cannons mounted in the wing plus the fuselage mounted MG 131 13 mm machine guns. As a result, this aircraft was lighter and more maneuverable than the heavier Sturmbock equipped aircraft. One feature that Schröder was not happy with, was that the standard canopy was not equipped with the pulley system. The antenna wire was simply attached to the top of the canopy. As a result, when the canopy was open, there was slack in the antenna wire. With any kind of breeze, the wire would slap against the metal portion of the canopy and fuselage which irritated Schröder. In its original form, "Red 19" had the II. Gruppe bar on the rear fuselage and Schroder's girlfriend's name Edelgard on the right side of the fuselage. On the left side of the fuselage was the slogan Kölle alaaf which is a dialect greeting meaning "long live the people and city of Köln", and also a well-known carnival slogan. Through the life of "Red 19" this slogan was slightly altered several times. In late November 1944, "Red 19" received a fresh coat of paint and additional streaky camouflage was added to the sides of the fuselage. In addition, the National Markings were repainted and a new style name Edelgard was added to the starboard side of the fuselage. Since no photo of the port side with this new camouflage is known, it is not clear what if anything was changed to the Kölle alaaf slogan. At this time, also, the dark rust red JG 300 band was added to the rear fuselage.
Fw 190 A-8 "Red 19" using EagleCals #77-32. View showing the complete aircraft from the port side in its final camouflage and markings. A day or two after it received its new paint, it was shot down and severely damaged. To properly reproduce this aircraft in this version, there would be very little or no weathering or paint fading. Note the difference between the standard RLM 23 Red number '19' and the dark Red JG 300 defense band.
Close up of the starboard side showing the new camouflage with streaks of RLM 74 and 75. The fresh Balkenkreuz and the new style and location for Schröder's girlfriend's name, Edelgard. Note the pulley system has been removed from this canopy and the antenna wire is simply attached to the top of the canopy.
Close up of the port side with the slogan in its final form trimmed in Blakc. Note the Red '9' is tilted slightly at the top away from the panel line. On EC #77 we offer an alternate markings and camouflage pattern for this aircraft in its earlier form.