Fw 190A-2, W. Nr. 120325, flown by Ofw. J. Heinzeller, 3./JG 2, Trickqueville, France, June 1942.
With and without swastika.
Josef Heinzeller, an ace with 35 kills to his credit began his combat career with LG 2. After that he was assigned to JG-3, from which he was transferred to JG-2 Richtofen in June 1942. He would also serve with JG-54 on the eastern front, and served as its first staffel CO until May 1944. He would serve out the war with this unit. Joseph Heinzeller had his Fw190A-3, as he did his previous Bf109E and Bf109F with JG-2 and JG-3, adorned with a rendition of his "Schnauzer" on the engine cowl. The "Old Shap" inscription was carried under the cockpit on the left side.
A general consensus (but not definitive) is that "SCHNAUZL" was Frau Heinzeller's nickname.
It may be lost to time what Heinzeller was referring to or what his connection to Shap was.
