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Heinkel He 100D-1 Greif

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After its rejection by the RLM, the He 100 became the focus of an intense propaganda campaign designed to deceive the Allies into believing the He 100 was in service with the Luftwaffe. Largely successful, this effort culminated in the famous April 1940 article of Der Adler. No fewer than nine He 100s were painted in spurious "lightning bolt" markings and lined up for the cameras. It wasn't long before these same aircraft were repainted with a shield bearing a bicorn hat stuck on a dagger, an apparent stab at Winston Churchill, the former First Lord of the Admiralty. Finally, at least one aircraft was painted with a moon-man marking and photographed in an apparent night-fighting role.

When its services as a propaganda tool were concluded, a number of these He 100s were added to Heinkel's semi-private factory defense force, manned by Heinkel company pilots. Sometime after these aircraft were taken on for use in this role, the 'First Lord of the Admiralty' badges were repainted with a griffin, the traditional coat of arms of Rostock, where the Heinkel plant was located. This can be seen in an aerial shot of the plant taken later in 1940 as published in Erwin Hood's fantastic book on the He 100. It is one of these aircraft that is depicted in the profile.
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MultiverseInquisitor's avatar
Nice one. The plane itself is quite a mystery. That's why I find it so appealing!