Typophile

(x) Circa 1943 German Font ID required. - Futura Bold Condensed {Rainer, Jan}

Clint Mitchell

Hi all

I'm looking for the identity of a font that was used for maintenance markings on German aircraft during WW2. I've tried seeing if the font is any of the DIN (Deutsche Industrie Norm, [German Industrial Standard]) set of typefaces but to no avail. I also checked it against the original Futura although very close it appears to be in between a condensed and a regular version of the typeface. Could it be a custom typeface designed for the Messerschmitt factory? My knowledge of Typography is slightly limited and I was wondering if any of you guys could assist? I've posted below some samples of the typeface taken from original factory documents.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Warm Regards

Clint Mitchell

Apologies, my attachments appear to have not worked. Let me try again.

Looks like Futura Condensed. Note: There are slight differences between the metal typeface and the digitizations of the various foundries.

That looks like Futura Condensed.

Thanks for your prompt replies. I did check it against Futura by Neufville Digital. Apparently they completely digitized the typeface from the original sources of the Bauersche Giesserei, now held by FT Bauer in Barcelona. I had my suspicions that it was Futura but it is slightly wider than the condensed version but not as wide as the regular. Is there an inbetween version?

Thanks Again.

Clint

Actually that is pretty spot on. Just the lower case 'e' that is different. Appears wider in the factory versions.

Clint

Thanks Guys, the Futura ND Condensed Bold is exact.

Thanks again.

Clint

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