1/48 Eduard, Bf 109F-2, W. Nr. 9553, flown by Oblt. Siegfried Schnell, CO of 9./ JG 2, Théville, France, November 1941.

Siegfried ‘Wumm‘ Schnell, a native of today’s Polish Sulecin (then Zeilenzig in Brandenburg) joined the ranks of the Luftwaffe in 1936 and at the beginning
of the Second World War he served with 4./JG 2. His first kill was in combat over France on May 14th, 1940, others followed over Britain and against English
and American pilots over western Europe. After being assigned to JG 54, he first served with its III. Gruppe and was on February 1st, 1944 made CO of IV. Gruppe. While serving in this function, he was shot down on February 25th, 1944 over Narva by a Soviet fighter, this proving to be a fateful encounter.
For his combat results, he was awarded on July 9th, 1941 the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves. In Second World War downed 93 enemy aircraft. Siegfried Schnell’s aircraft was camouflaged in the standard Lufwaffe fighter scheme using RLM 74/75/76. Both sides of the fin were decorated with the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and markings symbolizing his victories.