Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2/R6, WNr. 13531, "Yellow 1"
History
The aircraft associated with the rudder is Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2/R6, Werknummer 13531, manufactured by the Wiener Neustädter Flugzeugwerke (WNF). Historical research specifically identifies W.Nr. 13531 as a G-2/R6 and places it with Hauptmann Hermann Graf, CO of 9./JG 52, at Pitomnik in September 1942.
The aircraft carried the tactical marking "Yellow 1."
This was Graf's Karaya Staffel, 9./JG 52, operating on the Stalingrad front. Contemporary and later research identifies W.Nr. 13531 with Graf during this period.
The most fascinating aspect of the surviving artifact is its victory markings.
Graf's ground crew used the rudder of his aircraft as a visual record of his aerial victories. As his number of victories increased, additional markings were painted onto the rudder. This was not unique to Graf, but in his case the scoreboard eventually became extraordinarily extensive.
Research on W.Nr. 13531 records two known configurations of the aircraft's rudder:
- one showing 172 victories
- a later configuration showing 202 victories, with changes to the paintwork.
The surviving Speyer rudder is therefore historically remarkable because it represents the period when Graf's victory score had reached extraordinary numbers.
There is also an important clue concerning its survival.
According to a German aviation reference, after Graf's 202nd victory, he was prohibited from further operational flying and took the rudder home with him as a personal memento. The rudder subsequently remained in the Graf family's possession and was eventually placed on long-term loan for museum display.