Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

Hi All,

An American Veteran told me a story of shooting down a Me 262 near Augsburg in April or early May 45.
Serial number most probably 1115?44.
The 111 at the beginning and the 44 at the end are almost sure but not sure about the 5 in between.
Who can help to identify?

Thanks a lot

Rolf

Re: Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

Hi Rolf,

the serial numbers were only 6 digits long. Why does he know these numbers? Did he take a photo?

111544 was destroyed 98% in combat with P-51s on 22 Feb 1945 near Stade in the North of Germany (not near Augsburg).

111644 was found damaged by US forces at an unknown location.

111744 was with JV44

111844 nothing known

111944 was at Leipheim in 1945 used for testing the X4 and R100/BS


Regards,

Roger

Re: Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

Hi Roger,

The question mark behind the 5 is because the 5 is not clear. I had a talk to a Veteran and he believes he remember the serial number because he had a photograph but not with him and need to search for. He belonged to a American AAA unit and he was involved in shooting it down he said. Hope he comes back with the photo and more details
Rolf

Re: Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

Hi Roger,
Do you know the date of crash of 111544?
25th of April was mentioned to me but not sure.
Thanks again
Rolf

Re: Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

Hi Rolf,

That sound like an exciting photo. Would love to see it once you get it.

The date of the loss was 22 Feb 1945. Source: the excellent reference book "Me 262 - The Production Log 1941-1945" by fellow forum member Dan O'Connell.

Roger

Re: Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

Thank you Roger :-) I'd love to get more information on this 262 also.

Re: Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

Me262 wrknr 111644

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Re: Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

It looks more like it was destroyed in a revetment than shot down, I'd say.

Re: Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

AAA , picture taker was part of the crew that shot it down.

Re: Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

Hello,

I think this Me262 wasn´t shot down.
It looks like that the plane was burnt in a box at an unknown airfield.
The plane stands on his landing gear too.

Best regards
Ruediger

Re: Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

Excellent photo. Thank you for sharing.

It looks as if the Jumo 004 were not installed when it was hit. I agree with Ruediger that it was probably strafed by Allied fighter bombers while it was parked in a revetment.

Re: Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

or blown up by the Germans as they retreated.

Re: Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

Even the nosewheel/cannon compartment seems to have been removed.

Regards
RolandF

Re: Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

Gents,

The revetment style and background closely resemble similar images of destroyed Me 262s taken at Lechfeld; an example shown below (WNr.110???).

Cheers,

David

Re: Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

Dear All,

David's photo appears to be the very first photo to be found of what remained of the Me 262 HG II, W.Nr. 111538, at Lechfeld. Manfred Boehme and I have heavily researched this aircraft and David and I discussed the photo privately last night.

It is the wing, specifically, that appears to be that of W.Nr. 111538. I can't really speak to the rest of the parts in the photo.

The HG II wing did not have a leading edge slat inboard of the engines, apparent in the photo. A bit unexpected by me is the additional leading edge sweep back in this area, although I can't say that I am surprised. The wing tip is also tapered, which was a part of the design of the HG II.

The designers wanted to build a second wing, this one with inboard slats, but the first wing did not have them. It is very doubtful if it was ever built.

According to David, the photo, taken at Lechfeld, was dated 1946. It is somewhat hard for me to believe that the USAAF didn't realize what they had and bring it back to the U.S.

Germany's swept wing research was considered an aerodynamic breakthrough, but only 2 U.S. companies used the information to change the design of aircraft already being designed. Boeing altered the design of the B-47 from straight wing to swept wing and became the predominant supplier of bomber aircraft for the USAF. North American was working on the XP-86 and elected to also change the aircraft from straight to swept wing design. North American was very interested in the leading edge slats of the Me 262 and requested and received an Me 262 wing from the Air Force. North American either lifted the slat mechanism design from this wing or actually used the mechanisms from the wing. Either way, having the mechanisms from the HG II wing would have been an even better fit. I have no record of which Me 262 wing was supplied to North American.

Regards,
Richard

Re: Details Me 262 S# 111 5?44
 

Richard, I did add the information regarding it having been found at L
echfeld after our conversation last night.