Surrendered at Faßberg, tested at Lübeck, May 1945
Uffz. Engler’s Me262A-1a - JG7 Yellow 7 WNr112372
- Maßstab:
- 1:48
- Status:
- In Wartestellung
- Gestartet:
- April 4, 2021
Photos from: www.jagdgeschwader5und7.de
Various sources outline the likely origin of the aircraft in the same way, but differ on the WNr. I have gone with the jagdgeschwader5und7.de version here (merging with some seemingly overlapping aspects of other sources in parenthesis.) Any errors are my own. Given that there are photos to accompany the build this approach seems sensible to me. Any Luftwaffe experts who can fill in the gaps, that would be greatly appreciated.
On the 8th May, after a a final mission flying from Saaz (and possibly strafing some Soviet ground vehicles), Uffz. Günther Engler and Lt. Hans Dorn surrendered their aircraft, Me 262A-a1 Yellow 7 - WN. 112372, and Yellow 17 -WN. 500210 respectively, to the RAF at Fassberg.
These were subsequently handed over to (616 Sqn) for testing (at Lübeck)
The final photo showing 'yellow 7', in RAF markings, crashed nose-down following test flying. This seems to be corroborated by the RAF Museum document below, although the WNr. differ(?)
The RAF Museum source has the following account:
Me.262A-1a (W.Nr.110800) ex-1./JG 7, Yellow 7.
This aircraft was surrendered on May 8th, 1945 at Fassberg. Rebadged as serial: 7+I, it was handed over to 616 Sqn along with no. 112372. 616 Sqn were operational on Gloster Meteor Jets. On May 29th 1945 no. 112372 was test-flown by Wing Commander E. E. (Warren) Schrader at their Lübeck Base. However, No. 110800 was likely scrapped in situ after the nose wheel failed to lower on arrival causing significant damage.
rafmuseum.org.uk/doc..-69-Me262-112372.pdf
However, that scrapping may be debatable given the jagdgeschwader5und7.de site shows a version of 'Yellow 7' on display at an air show in Gaydon 1969. The markings are different and the WNr. is not visible.
To complete my (superficial and confused) research, Wings Palette has WNr. 112372 as 'Yellow 7' rebadged as RAF Yellow 7+I, which doesn't seem reflective of the photos of the crashed aircraft attached, nor the RAF account above.
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Kommentare
Hi Gary. Looking forward to see your Me particibating in the GB.
Thanks Juergen, looking forward to it arriving. A double first as it's my first Tamiya kit and first 1:48 scale kit.
Gary, I will check the numbers in the Me262 production logs book, and will try to find out which is which
Thanks Jan. I have done some more digging and found this useful piece and have expanded my project info accordingly. jagdgeschwader5und7...me-262-a-1a-gelbe-7/
Your first ever Tamiya kit? I see a short passionate falling in love weekend, followed by a deep everlasting love. Just check the timelines here for any Italeri reboxings back in the early 2000's
Martin I'm already falling for this beauty, might be love at first sight.
Re the Italeri reboxings- learned that one with the Comanche I am building as Tamiya but a world apart in truth.