During the mid 1943 the third Gruppe of JG 51 used numerals on their Fw 190s from zero up to ten, like Lt. Weber, another pilot from 7./JG 51 flying in a "White Zero". It was uncommon to se machines with an higher numeral than 10.

However on occasions pilots was flying in a machine with a higher number, such as Lt. Krackowizer with a number 11, or Fw. Kästner with a number 12 painted on his Fw 190.

In my research I have only found that one pilot in the Gruppe used a higher numeral, Lt. Günther Schack who was by others known to piloting a machine marked with the numeral 13. This is why I conclude that this machine from March 1943 was the personal crate of this JG 51 Experten.

During the month of March 1943 Leutnant Günther Schack filed 10 abschusse flying mainly from Orel-West base, situated some 300 km south of Moscow but also from Krasnogwardejsk base in the North close to Leningrad. Thereby he managed to reach a total of 45 confirmed victories.

In all the III./JG 51 filed claims for a total of 60 VVS aircraft, for an own loss of five Fw 190s, two fo them was lost in air-combat.

This made Lt. Schack the most successful pilot for that month followed by Oblt. Mayerl, the kapitän of the 9th Staffeln with his six confirmed victories. The most successful days for Schack during this period was on 8th and 9th March with three downing each, claiming two La-5s, three Il-2s and a LaGG-3.

Thereafter, in April 1943, the I./JG 51 left for Smolensk for rest and refit. Here they would, by others receive a total of 24 brand new Fw 190 A-5.

Günther Schack would end the war as a Hauptmann and Kommandeur of the IV./JG 3. With a total of 174 confirmed victories and 780 combat missions. He also found himself on the receiving end, manged to survive being shot down 15 times.

Please note that this machine, a A-2 or a A-3 version had been refurbished, with a new paint scheme and with the cooling air-flow shutters of a later A-4 subtype. Note also that the Fw 190 is lacking the lower gear cowers on it main landing gear, typical for machines in the East when experienced muddy condition on their bases.

This was one of nine new profiles made during this week, most of them would be published in my upcoming Profile Book No 18.