Luftwaffe fighter marking explained part 1by ~Rajaahsani

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I made this info sheet solely to help fellow military aircraft enthusiast to figuring out symbols and markings on luftwaffe fighters, which is quite difficult to understand especially by beginners.

next part [link]

~taupin121 May 4, 2013

The Stammkennzeichen (Factory code, SKZ for short) have nothing to do with the operational codes used by Zerstörer, Nachtjagd and Kampf units. To difference aircraft wearing SKZ (including some aircrafts of the tagjagd), it's simple :
- SKZ are constitued only of letters
- Operational codes identify the Geschwader by the two first characters (one letter and one number : [link]), the third identify the aircraft and the last the Staffel or the Stab to which belong the aircraft :
A = Stab
B = Stab I. Gruppe
C = Stab II. Gruppe
D = Stab III. Gruppe
E = Stab IV. Gruppe
F = Stab V. Gruppe
H = 1. Staffel
K = 2. Staffel
L = 3. Staffel
M = 4. Staffel
N = 5. Staffel
P = 6. Staffel
R = 7. Staffel
S = 8. Staffel
T = 9. Staffel
U = 10. Staffel
V = 11. Staffel
W = 12. Staffel
X = 13. Staffel
Y = 14. Staffel
Z = 15. Staffel