In mid-November of 1944, Hermann Göring gave Oberst Johannes Steinhoff orders to form the first jet fighter Geschwader, JG 7. The formation process however was more or less stalled due to slow deliveries of the revolutionary fighter and the severe logistical difficulties at the Brandenburg-Briest, Parchim and Oranienburg bases.

This all resulted in too few training and flying hours for the pilots. Steinhoff also put all the focus on the task of intercepting Allied fighters and reconnaissance aircraft. This ultimately resulted in Steinhoff being relieved of his command for presumed inactivity and incompetence.

Göring replaced him with Major Theodor Weissenberger, who quickly ironed out all the problems and at the same time, adopted Hitler´s new priority for the Me 262s to attack bombers. Weissenberger put Major Rudolf Sinner in charge of III./JG 7 and working together they achieved the unbelievable within the space of 15 days.

They overcame all shortcomings, managed to collect the aircraft needed, set up a functional ground organization, organized pilot training and started to teach Me 262 tactics.

Note this very unusual camouflage for an Me 262, consisting of longitudinal spray-painted stripe patterns in the colors RLM 81 Brown Violet and RLM 82 Grass Green over an RLM 76 Light Blue ground.

In addition to this, this machine has the typical JG 7 fuselage band in Red and Blue, a Geschwader crest in front of the cockpit along with a numeral, in this case a Green No 3, denoting a Staff aircraft of the third Gruppe, one of the Turbin-Jägers under the command of Major Rudolf Sinner.

This profile is one of nine made during the week, including another two Me 262s. This profile would be included in one of my upcoming Profile Books, No 17 to No 20.