Max-Hellmuth Ostermann began the war flying the Bf 110 twin-engine fighter with ZG 1 during the Invasion of Poland. He transferred to JG 21 flying the Bf 109 in time for the Battle of France, where he scored his first victory, a Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 on 20MAY40. By the close of the Battle of Britain he had achieved eight victories.
Ostermann continued to score against the Soviets from the start of Operation Barbarossa, being awarded the Knight’s Cross at the beginning of September 1941 for 29 victories. His score had risen to 70 by February 1942, when he was granted leave to get married. Because of his small build and youthful appearance, he was briefly arrested for impersonating a Luftwaffe Officer on his wedding day.
He achieved his 100th victory on 12MAY42 but was wounded in the engagement. He was presented with the Swords while recuperating. Ostermann was shot down and killed on 09AUG42 by Arkady Ivanovich Sukov flying a LaGG-3. His final score was 102. Max-Hellmuth Ostermann’s Bf 109F-2, 7. / JG54 at Dno, Russia, September 1941
Inch High Guy 
All that canary yellow; this guy wanted to be seen.
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In some theaters they got a little carried away with the recognition markings!
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Not a reply I would expect, Jeff. A yellow nose was their signifying the pilot was an Ace and better; that the underwings were yellow as well was -to use the vernacular- a double dare. He didn’t give a damn about camouflage, he was spoiling for a fight.
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Sorry, those are recognition markings applied to all aircraft in the area, not just experten. They varied by time period and theater. The yellow nose was ordered in late August 1940 in an effort to reduce friendly fire incidents. The fuselage bands were theater markings for the Russian Front, their locations corresponded to the sector. The leading edge marking is often overlooked by modelers. It was not widely used, just JG 77 and I think one other unit, and then only briefly. Many units overpainted portions of the uppersurface yellow areas but left the markings on the undersides. Germany’s allies also carried the yellow panels for quick recognition, they can also be seen on Finnish, Italian, Romanian, Hungarian, etc aircraft. Explanation of the BoB variations here: https://www.asisbiz.com/Battles/camouflage/pages/Art-Messerschmitt-Bf-109E-tactical-marking-1940-scheme.html
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Exactly Jeff! I have a fondness, and I don’t know why, for Italian Theater/MTO Luftwaffe a/c and their white theater markings. I think it’s nicely different.
As always, beautiful work.
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Thanks Warren! I also like the white markings, and the yellow on Italian BoB aircraft as well!
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Spent some time at that link; lots of info. Still -not disputing you- that configuration was like a neon sign.
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The ID markings are interesting as they usually defeat the camouflage. Most modern aircraft have gone the full concealment route, to the point of rendering even the national insignia in camouflage colors.
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