From my limited resources, I think it was original to the aircraft. This from War Prizes by Phil Butler: "The He 162 is currently in the Planes of Fame Museum, Chino Airfield, California, which is the present location of Ed Maloney's museum. It is marked as 'Red 1' of JG 1. with the nickname 'Nervenklau', both original markings. 'Nervenklau' was the nickname of the Heinkel's pilot, Lt Gerhard Hanf."
I'm sure "Alles Kaputt" was an original Luftwaffe nickname?! It's got so much meaning!
In that picture that Dave posted of T2-493 as White 4, you can see a P-61 on jacks in the background.
Is that really the inlet and ducting at the top od the engine cowling? I would say it is a part of anti-glare strip and either the light reflection at the sillver skillet of the top MG or a kind of its filling of the white colour.
Is that really the inlet and ducting at the top od the engine cowling? I would say it is a part of anti-glare strip and either the light reflection at the sillver skillet of the top MG or a kind of its filling of the white colour.
I considered the anti-glare paint creating an optical illusion, too...but when looking closely at verified A6M5 cowls, there is a noticeable difference.
I also considered an illusion created by the MG ports and this also was ruled out by close inspection of both painted and unpainted cowls.
Here is an image of the kite while ( still ?) wearing the Japanese insignia. I have enlarged the shot a little bit. IMHO there wasn't any air duct at the top.